OnePlus 6 might be one of the most eligible flagships in 2018, but last year's OnePlus smartphones aren't getting out of date any time soon. One of the strongest suits of OnePlus is their promise to roll out latest software updates and it is currently working on bringing Android Pie to its several former flagships dating back to 2016.
OnePlus has an Open Beta program, with which the company tests early builds of its OxygenOS before rolling it out to the public. Those who participate in the program can test the software before anyone else and gain access to new features that are yet to be released.
In the latest OxygenOS Open Beta 17 for OnePlus 5 and Open Beta 15 for OnePlus 5T, the Chinese smartphone maker is offering several new features, some of which are exclusive to OnePlus 6. According to OnePlus' changelog document, OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T with the latest OxygenOS beta version get portrait mode for the front camera and gaming mode 3.0.
The portrait mode on the front camera has been a widely requested feature for OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T after it made its debut in OnePlus 6. It allows users to take selfies while accurately blurring the background to get that DSLR-like Bokeh effect.
The gaming mode 3.0 is a useful addition, which gives mobile gamers an uninterrupted gaming experience. The new mode includes call suspension notification, text notification and UI optimisation. But these features are only the tip of an iceberg.
Below is the complete changelog for the latest open beta builds for OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T smartphones.
System
- Added Toast message source for Toast messages sent by background apps
- Added description about sleep standby optimization when the function is turned on for the first time
- Optimized background power consumption control
- Fixed call recording issue in India
- Updated Android security patch to 2018.8
Camera
- Added portrait mode for the front camera
- Gaming mode 3.0
- Added call suspension notification
- Added text notification mode
- UI and interaction optimization
Weather
- Hourly weather forecast
- 8 units of meteorological data including precipitation probability and Perceived temperature
- Improved weather data accuracy
Note
- New OxygenOS UI
- Optimized process for sharing notes as an image
Oneplus Switch
- UI optimization
Considering these new features are a part of the beta software, OnePlus warns users that these builds are not as stable as the official OTAs. User discretion is advised.
