OnePlus is pushing a major battery-friendly upgrade to more of its recent devices, bringing system-wide bypass charging to phones and a tablet beyond the flagship OnePlus 13. With the latest OxygenOS 16-based update, bypass charging is no longer something that mostly activates only during gaming sessions. Instead, it can now work across apps and everyday scenarios, helping cut heat and reduce long-term battery wear when you’re using your device while it’s plugged in.
After debuting the expanded feature on the OnePlus 13, OnePlus is now rolling it out to the OnePlus 13R, OnePlus 13s, OnePlus 12, and the OnePlus Pad Go 2. The core idea behind bypass charging is simple but valuable: when enabled, the phone or tablet can draw power directly from the charger, rather than constantly charging and discharging the battery while you’re actively using the device. That direct-power approach can help keep temperatures down during high-load tasks and may help preserve battery health over time.
What makes this update especially useful is that it broadens when bypass charging can kick in. Instead of being tied largely to gaming, it can now apply to other demanding activities such as navigation while connected in the car, live streaming, or watching videos at high brightness while charging. For anyone who spends long stretches plugged in—whether on commutes, at a desk, or during extended media sessions—this is a practical quality-of-life improvement that can also be kinder to the battery.
Beyond bypass charging, the OxygenOS update also includes the January 2026 Android security patch, tightening system security with the latest fixes. There are also several usability upgrades. The OnePlus 13s gets a notable Photos app improvement: it can now edit full-resolution images up to 50MP without downgrading image quality, which is helpful for anyone who wants to crop or adjust detailed shots while keeping maximum clarity.
OnePlus is also refining organization in the app drawer for multiple phones by introducing new categories like “Office” and “Finance,” making it quicker to locate apps without endless scrolling. On the privacy side, file handling inside Private Safe is getting more capable, including the ability to browse content using a side-swipe gesture, search for files within folders, and share files stored there.
The OnePlus 13s picks up an additional calling-related tweak as well: a “Reply with SMS” switch that allows you to hide the SMS reply option on the incoming call screen. It’s a small change, but it gives users more control over what appears during calls.
Update rollout details (by device and region)
OnePlus 13
The update is already arriving as CPH2649_16.0.3.501.
OnePlus 13s
Now rolling out in India with version CPH2723_16.0.3.501.
OnePlus 13R
Rolling out in India (CPH2691_16.0.3.500) and Europe (CPH2645_16.0.3.500), with North America expected to follow.
OnePlus 12
Rolling out in batches across India (CPH2573_16.0.3.500), Europe (CPH2581_16.0.3.500), and North America (CPH2583_16.0.3.500).
OnePlus Pad Go 2
Rolling out widely across India, Europe, and other global markets as OPD2504_16.0.2.411.
If you own one of these devices, keep an eye on your system update page, since staged rollouts can take time to reach every user. Once installed, the big takeaway is clear: OnePlus is making bypass charging a more central, everyday battery-protection feature—one that’s useful well beyond gaming and better suited to how people actually use their phones and tablets while plugged in.
