OnePlus 5T gets Android Oreo 8.1 through Oxygen OS Open Beta 4

The OnePlus 5T has been updated to Android 8.1 Oreo, but only if you’re on the Open Beta program. OnePlus has rolled out its Open Beta 4 software package for the OnePlus 5T, as well as Open Beta 6 for the OnePlus 5. Both of these packages will bring the phone to Android Oreo, along with updating the Android security patch to February 2018. Note that the update will only be available to you through an OTA push if you’re already on the Open Beta program on your device. Users can also manually install the package to get onto the Open Beta program, by following the procedure on the software downloads page of OnePlus.Apart from the change in the software version and Android patch level, the differences in Open Beta 4 (for the OnePlus 5T) and Open Beta 6 (for the OnePlus 5) are functional and related to the Oxygen OS overlay. New features include a gaming mode, a new auto pick-up gesture to answer incoming calls by raising the phone to your ear, a global roaming solution, new clock styles on the ambient display mode, data migration for app back-up on OnePlus Switch, and optimized full-screen gesture support (only on the OnePlus 5T). While nothing major has been announced in this update beyond the actual software version, users will nonetheless welcome the quick and regular software updates issued by OnePlus.OnePlus has been regular with its software updates, and notably rolled out Android Oreo 8.0 to the OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T well before the new version made it to the new OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T. The company is known for taking user feedback strongly, and issues many of its updates and software-based features based on requests by users. OnePlus also actively maintains a forum, where key announcements are made and feedback is taken.The Open Beta program is notably not stable software, and hence is not recommended for users who aren’t completely sure of what they are doing, as this could cause stability issues and problems with the devices. However, advanced users can get a taste of upcoming features and software through the open beta program, before these features are thoroughly tested and rolled out as stable OTAs. OnePlus earlier this month rolled out Oxygen OS 5.0.4, the stable version of its software, for both the OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T.