OnePlus is ending its year with Android Pie updates for its 2017 flagship devices, the OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T. The manufacturer announced Tuesday that wireless updates will now begin rollout to devices and all handsets should receive the new software in the coming days.
In addition to Android Pie, the OnePlus 5T is receiving new navigation gestures, while both devices will get a new custom interface, the December Android security patch, improvements to their Gaming mode and Do Not Disturb mode, and the introduction of Google Lens mode.
This is a pretty good update schedule for OnePlus, as its 2018 flagships already run Android Pie. The OnePlus 6 received Android Pie just 45 days after Google officially released the software, while the OnePlus 6T hit the global market in November with Android Pie as its native operating system. OnePlus has also guaranteed updates for its latest flagship up to Android Q.
OnePlus is apart of Google’s Project Treble initiative, aimed at getting the latest Android devices updated to the latest Android software as quickly as possible. The manufacturer also benefits from keeping its user interface as close to pure Android as it can while still expressing a unique OnePlus flare for the home environment of its devices.
By forgoing heavy modification of the Android operating system, OnePlus can avoid some of the heavy testing required to make sure all features function well enough for public release.
It will be interesting to see if the company’s recent collaboration with T-Mobile will affect its update schedule, as one major hindrance in a smooth software rollout is at the carrier testing level.
This won’t affect the OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T as they are both carrier unlocked in the U.S., however, OnePlus 6T and future carrier-branded models may not update as quickly as their unlocked counterparts.