Back in August Google released the update to Android 7.0 Nougat. Updates are a slow and painful process on Android, and users are patiently waiting for it. This week we learned more details about the OnePlus Android 7.0 Nougat update. Starting with the OnePlus 3 in November.
Android 7.0 Nougat is loaded with new features, improved battery life, multi-window mode and more. Nexus users have been enjoying it for months, and all of it will be coming soon to a OnePlus near you.
The Android N developer test ended in August and was quickly released for select devices. There are beta programs from LG, Samsung, Sony and more. This week we learned the OnePlus 3 Nougat beta will be available in November. Read on for more details.
Popular smartphones from all major manufacturers will see a free update to Android 7.0 Nougat in the near future. And hopefully Android 7.1 shortly thereafter.
One of the most popular smartphones of 2015 and 2016 are from OnePlus. A company that delivers high-end flagship devices at a wallet friendly price point. The OnePlus 3 is just as good as the Galaxy S7 Edge, but for only $399. It’s an extremely popular phone, and it could be the next smartphone running Android 7.0 Nougat.
Earlier this year OnePlus blend the two teams working on the OS for China and the rest of the world into one group. An effort to bring the latest software and features to all devices at a faster pace. It seems to have worked, because the OnePlus 3 Android 7.0 Nougat beta test will be available in November.
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OnePlus Android 7.0 Nougat Updates
While speaking with Engadget, the head of OnePlus software Brian Yoon confirmed the OnePlus 3 update will begin later this month. However, this is only a “community beta test” that users will be able to install. After it has been tested and confirmed as stable it will be released for all owners around the globe.
Yoon confirmed the Android 7.0 Nougat update will be available for the OnePlus 3 and the older OnePlus 2. Most likely the OnePlus X will see it at some point, and the yet to be released OnePlus 3T will probably run Android 7.0 out of the box.
Don’t expect the original to receive Android 7.0 Nougat officially. That said, the developer community at the OnePlus forums or XDA will surely have a version available for download.
The first OnePlus Android 7.0 Nougat update will be available in November as a limited beta for the OnePlus 3. It will be available at the OnePlus forums. Then, the official release for all users around the globe will be released “before the end of the year”. Hopefully that means sometime in early December. If so, the company could beat many big manufacturers to the latest software.
What’s New in Android 7.0 Nougat
Our link at the top of the page is an in-depth look at Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow vs Android 7.0 Nougat. Including everything that’s new and different with comparison photos. It goes over many of the key changes, so start there.
As a quick recap, the OnePlus Android 7.0 update will bring improved performance, better battery life with “Doze” features, better split-screen multitasking, the recent apps button works like ALT+TAB and switches between the last used apps, and much more. Google has over 50 big changes in Android N. Like faster app installs, which are also smaller, a new JIT compiler, improved graphics and performance with the Vulkan API, revamped notifications with quick reply from the pulldown bar, customizable quick setting tiles and so much more. Expect all of that to be highlighted on the OnePlus 3 and it’s nearly stock version of Android.
A huge addition announced at Google IO was “Android Instant Apps” which will enable Android to install small bits of an app (say, from a search result or web link) and allow one-time instant app usage. No installing an app and starting over. Android just adds what it needs for that moment, uses the app then removes those parts, and we’re done. That has yet to go live, but we’re expecting it by the end of the year.
Not to mention things like a better and improved Google Now or Search using the Google Assistant with machine learning, number blocking and call screening, and more than we know under the hood or behind the scenes.
OP smartphones run nearly stock Android, similar to the Google Pixel. This means it doesn’t have a huge layer of changes like we see from Samsung, LG or HTC. Allowing the developers to finish updates easier and faster.
Final Thoughts
Previous years we saw slow updates from the company, but this is good news that they’re working hard to deliver them much faster. Last year many smartphones didn’t see Marshmallow until March of 2015.
From what we’re seeing so far the OnePlus 3 will have Android 7.0 Nougat in December, then the team will move to the older 2. Expect that update to quickly follow a similar release pattern.
This is good news for owners, as many expected this phone to receive updates slower than popular names like Samsung. Instead, it looks like the opposite will happen and it will be one of the first. We’ll update once we learn more about the beta and full rollout.