OnePlus cuts OS updates in half for its latest phone
▼ Summary
– The OnePlus Nord CE6 is a mid-range smartphone with a Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset, 8GB RAM, 50MP camera, and 8,000 mAh battery, priced under €300.
– OnePlus advertises a “6-year Fast and Smooth” experience for the Nord CE6, but this refers to system fluency, not OS or security updates.
– The Nord CE6 will receive only 2 Android OS upgrades to Android 18, while its predecessor, the Nord CE5, will get one more update to Android 19.
– OnePlus has not clearly disclosed the software update limitations on its website and refused to share details, with security updates possibly limited to 4 years.
– This reduction in updates comes as OnePlus reportedly merges with Realme and evaluates its operations in Europe amid staff cuts.
The latest release from OnePlus, the Nord CE6, arrived in select markets earlier this week and, on the surface, appears to be a compelling mid-range smartphone. However, a closer look reveals a significant downgrade in its software support policy, cutting promised OS upgrades in half compared to its predecessor.
Priced under €300, the Nord CE6 packs respectable hardware: a 6.78-inch 144Hz display, a Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset, 8GB of RAM, a 50MP rear camera, and a massive 8,000 mAh battery. OnePlus markets the device with a bold claim that OxygenOS, starting with Android 16, will be “Fast and Smooth for 6 years.” That phrasing, however, is carefully worded to obscure a disappointing reality.
As highlighted by @OnePlusClub, the Nord CE6 will receive only two Android OS upgrades, capping out at Android 18. This means the previous generation, the Nord CE5, will actually end up with one more update, reaching Android 19. OnePlus does not make this limitation easy to find. A footnote on its website fails to clarify the lack of OS updates, and GSMArena reports that OnePlus declined to share any details about software update commitments when asked. There are also indications that the device may only get four years of security patches.
The “Fast and Smooth for 6 years” tagline, it turns out, does not refer to OS or security updates at all. In a footnote elsewhere, OnePlus clarifies that this promise covers “system fluency” for 72 months. A blog post elaborates, stating that the Nord CE6 is “backed by a 6-year Fast and Smooth experience promise focused on long-term system fluency and reliability” , not software version upgrades or security fixes.
This means the Nord CE6 offers fewer Android OS upgrades and fewer years of security support than its direct predecessor. The timing is notable, as OnePlus has reportedly merged with Realme, and global operations appear to be scaling back. The company recently acknowledged it is “evaluating” its future in Europe amid staff cuts and other restructuring.
Everything seems fine.
(Source: 9to5google.com)