Since their debut in 2016, the OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T have already had two significant updates: Android Nougat and Android Oreo. Both are still due to receive security dates for at least one more year and most had initially expected to get a bump to Android 8.1 Oreo.
With most phones getting the same Android OS bump, it seemed imminent. But, to the surprise of many, OnePlus made it even better by announcing that both devices would be updated to Android P. The company’s operations manager for OxyenOS announced the news through the OnePlus forums.
The recent development comes a week after both the OnePlus 3 and 3T received an update to Oxygen OS 5.0.4. The update didn’t include Android 8.1 Oreo but instead brought camera improvements and the security patch for the month of July. With the upcoming bump to Android P, both devices will now join the likes of OnePlus 5, OnePlus 5T and OnePlus 6 due to receive a bump to Android P.
Unfortunately, there is no official word on when Android P will roll out for the OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T. It could commence before the year ends or by next year. The only thing sure is that it will get the update after the first two variants. Either way, knowing that the device will be getting that surprise update remains good news for people who own the handset/s.
"We have decided to focus our development resources on the Android P project, instead of upgrading the OnePlus 3 and 3T device to Android 8.1, so we can offer more exciting features and improvements for our OnePlus 3 and 3T users," the company said in a statement.
According to Know Your Mobile, Android P could be launched as early as August. However, Google, usually, releases its latest operating system alongside its new Google Pixel phones. If the latter holds true, this could hint at a potential October release instead.
Further, Google has an Android developer event happening in November. If not earlier, the occasion could end up being a launch event even if the chances of that happening are not so high.
At any rate, it would be best to keep an eye out on feedback coming from OnePlus 6 owners. It is the device that will first get Android P followed by the OnePlus 5 pair. Depending on the start and frequency of its release, a safe forecast to expect the Android P for the OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T would be by the first quarter of 2019.
