OnePlus has officially rolled out the Android 16 Beta 2 update for its flagship smartphone, the OnePlus 13, placing it among the first non-Google devices to receive the upcoming version of Android. This early release is part of a developer preview program and is primarily aimed at experienced users and developers looking to explore Google’s next-gen OS before its official debut.
The update, based on Google’s Android 16 Beta 2, arrives ahead of the anticipated Android 16 launch during Google I/O 2025, scheduled for May 20 and 21. Weighing in at approximately 7GB, the update gives tech enthusiasts a sneak peek into new features and performance optimisations expected in the final release.
However, OnePlus has strongly cautioned users against installing the beta on their primary device. In a statement, the company noted that the build is unstable and not suited for everyday use. Known issues include:
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Random device restarts
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Lag and display errors
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System-wide crashes
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Blurry or unclear camera viewfinder
There’s also a risk of bricking the device if the installation goes wrong, making data backup a must before proceeding. Furthermore, while users can roll back to Android 15, doing so will wipe all locally stored data.
The beta version can be downloaded via the OnePlus Community platform, where the company has shared installation instructions along with rollback packages for those who want to revert.
With this release, OnePlus continues to cement its position as a frontrunner among Android OEMs when it comes to early software updates. It also reflects the brand’s close collaboration with Google and commitment to developer engagement
