Chinese smartphone manufacturer OnePlus has confirmed that the OnePlus 3 flagship device will finally receive the Android 7.0 Nougat update before the end of the month.
OnePlus 3 head of software Brian Yoon told Engadget that a beta version of Android Nougat would be pushed to select OnePlus 3 devices this month, according to Android Headlines. Yoon added that once all the wrinkles had been ironed out, the Nougat update will be released to all OnePlus 3 units through an over-the-air upgrade by the end of the year. Aside from the OnePlus 3, Yoon confirmed that older devices like the OnePlus 2 should be able to receive the Android Nougat upgrade as well, although he did not exactly say when.
Earlier this year, OnePlus underwent a major internal restructuring. The company merged the HydrogenOS and OxygenOS teams into a single division. The HydrogenOS team is the one that works on the software for OnePlus devices released in China, while the OxygenOS team is the one tasked for devices that will hit markets outside of its home country.
Some tech analysts consider OnePlus' restructuring move to be a smart and necessary one. By merging its two software divisions together, they can pool together all their resources and manpower to create a more effective product at a much faster rate, according to Engadget.
The Android Nougat project stands as a testament that merging the two divisions together is a beneficial move for OnePlus. The company's decision to embrace the latest version of Android came in just days after major Android players like Samsung confirmed that they are also rolling out the Nougat update on their respective flagship devices.
Although the software division of OnePlus seems to be working fine, the same cannot be said of its manufacturing arm. Due to massive demands, the OnePlus 3 is experiencing a shortage of stocks. There are rumors that OnePlus is facing a manufacturing hump due to the scarcity of OLED panels.