{"id":87389,"date":"2025-10-17T21:14:08","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T21:14:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/87389\/"},"modified":"2025-10-17T21:14:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T21:14:08","slug":"oneplus-new-oxygenos-16-works-with-the-apple-watch-but-theres-a-catch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/87389\/","title":{"rendered":"OnePlus\u2019 new OxygenOS 16 works with the Apple Watch \u2013 but there\u2019s a catch"},"content":{"rendered":"

OnePlus has unveiled its big new operating system update in the form of OxygenOS 16, based on Android 16.<\/p>\n

Set to make its debut on the upcoming OnePlus 15, the latest spin on the Android operating system includes some interesting new features not seen before, including support for the Apple Watch, a wearable that famously only works with iPhones.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s everything you need to know about OxygenOS 16.\u00a0<\/p>\n

OxygenOS 16 brings Apple Watch compatibility to Android<\/p>\n

The Apple Watch is a fantastic wearable, but the simple fact of the matter is you\u2019ll need an iPhone to connect to it. You\u2019re free to try and connect to it via Bluetooth on an Android, but you won\u2019t get much out of it; no notifications, no smartphone connectivity, no ability to export your health and fitness data \u2013 you get it.<\/p>\n

\"AppleImage Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/p>\n

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And that\u2019s why OnePlus\u2019 announcement of OxygenOS 16 is so interesting, because it claims to play nicely with the Apple Watch.<\/p>\n

Per the company, OxygenOS 16 lets you pair with an Apple Watch, enabling you to receive Android notifications, use Find My, and access remote camera functionality \u2013 but there\u2019s a caveat. You\u2019ll still need an iPhone for setup purposes.<\/p>\n

You see, the Apple Watch setup process is so entwined with Apple\u2019s ecosystem that it simply won\u2019t work without an iPhone. You\u2019ll need an iPhone for the initial setup, and to download a special OnePlus companion app on the Watch that essentially acts as a bridge between Apple\u2019s hardware and your OnePlus-branded smartphone.\u00a0<\/p>\n

So while it does play well with the Apple Watch, you\u2019ll still need an iPhone nearby for setup, app installation and the like.\u00a0<\/p>\n

AI here, there and everywhere<\/p>\n

Of course, Apple Watch support isn\u2019t the only new feature coming as part of OxygenOS 16. We already saw OnePlus take its first steps into the world of AI with OxygenOS 15, and it looks like it\u2019s doubling down with the latest update.<\/p>\n

First and foremost, the AI-powered Mind Space introduced in July is getting a Gemini-friendly upgrade. This upgrade allows Google\u2019s virtual assistant to access data and content stored in your Mind Space to, say, help you plan a trip based on content you\u2019ve saved.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\"OnePlusImage Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/p>\n

There are also updates to other existing AI features; AI Writer can now create mind maps and charts based on chunks of text you select, with the results able to be saved to apps like Google Sheets or exported as a PDF, as well as write its own captions for social media based on the image you\u2019re sharing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

AI Scan is a new addition that\u2019ll be handy for students, as it can detect and capture presentation slides, even from tilted angles, while removing shadows and other lines in the process.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What\u2019s more exciting is the introduction of AI PlayLab, an app that includes experimental AI features. At launch, it\u2019ll include YumSee, which translates menus and creates visual representations with food photos sourced from online, along with Party Up, which transforms static images into short animated clips.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Fresher and more customisable<\/p>\n

Hot on the heels of Apple\u2019s Liquid Glass UI, released as part of iOS 26, OxygenOS 16 offers its own spin on the style with new Gaussian blur styling present throughout, from the lock screen icons to elements within the OnePlus-branded apps like Clock, Compass and Calculator.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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OxygenOS has always been one of the more customisable UIs on the Android scene, and it\u2019s not changing with the latest upgrade. This time, support is included for scalable home screen icons and folders, allowing you to adjust the size of app icons and include app-specific shortcuts, while Shelf gets a smattering of new widgets.<\/p>\n

\"OnePlus-13-front-standing\"Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/p>\n

The lock screen is set for a similar upgrade, with new mini widgets for at-a-glance information and customizable elements now available. There\u2019s also support for Motion Photos, bringing more motion to the lock screen experience, along with new depth effect features that let certain elements hide behind the subject of your photo.<\/p>\n

Again, this is very iOS-inspired, but it\u2019s great to see nonetheless. Apple does have one of the better lock screen customisation systems around, after all.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Set for launch with the OnePlus 15<\/p>\n

OnePlus has confirmed that the software is set to launch with the OnePlus 15, which made its debut today in China and is expected to hit the global market in the coming months \u2013 but dedicated OnePlus fans can sign up to the OxygenOS 16 Open Beta from 17 October, which will provide access to the update ahead of release.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"OnePlus has unveiled its big new operating system update in the form of OxygenOS 16, based on Android…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":87390,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[203,61,60,80],"class_list":{"0":"post-87389","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-gadgets","8":"tag-gadgets","9":"tag-ie","10":"tag-ireland","11":"tag-technology"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87389","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=87389"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87389\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/87390"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=87389"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=87389"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=87389"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}