OnePlus has officially confirmed its software update policy for the newly launched OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R. Contrary to recent reports, the company has clarified that the promised four years of Android updates do not include the out-of-the-box software version. This means both smartphones will receive Android updates up to version 19, along with six years of security patches.

Let’s take a closer look at what OnePlus has confirmed about software support for the OnePlus 13 series and its latest smartwatches.

OnePlus 13 and 13R: Number of Android Updates

OnePlus has assured that the OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R will receive four years of Android updates. Since both devices ship with Android 15-based OxygenOS 15, they will subsequently receive:

Android 16
Android 17
Android 18
Android 19

This clarification dismisses the earlier confusion where it was suggested that OnePlus considered the pre-installed software as part of the four-year update commitment. Alongside the major Android upgrades, OnePlus has also promised six years of security updates, ensuring long-term software stability.

OnePlus Watch 2 and Watch 3 Update Policy

Apart from smartphones, OnePlus has also revealed details about software support for its latest smartwatches.

OnePlus Watch 2 comes with Wear OS 4 and will receive updates up to Wear OS 6 along with three years of quarterly security updates (2024-2026).

OnePlus Watch 3 ships with Wear OS 5 and will get updates up to Wear OS 7, along with three years of quarterly security patches (2025-2027).

Interestingly, while OnePlus counts the pre-installed software version as part of the three-year update cycle for its smartwatches, this approach does not apply to the OnePlus 13 series smartphones.

How OnePlus Compares to Other Smartphone Brands

OnePlus’ software update policy places it ahead of several Android manufacturers but still lags behind industry leaders like Google and Samsung.

Google and Samsung now offer seven years of Android OS updates on their flagship devices.

Apple, while not officially stating an update cycle, typically provides at least five years of iOS updates for iPhones.

Other Android brands like Motorola, HMD/Nokia, Honor, and Xiaomi generally offer two years of OS updates on their flagship models.

With four years of Android updates and six years of security patches, OnePlus provides a solid level of software support, though it falls short of setting new industry benchmarks.

Conclusion

OnePlus has officially confirmed that the OnePlus 13 and 13R will receive four years of Android OS updates, reaching Android 19, alongside six years of security patches. Meanwhile, its latest smartwatches will get three years of software updates. While the company’s update policy surpasses many Android competitors, it still trails behind Google and Samsung’s seven-year commitment. This announcement provides clarity to potential buyers and positions OnePlus as a strong player in long-term software support.