OnePlus addresses confusing software update policy for watches and phones

Update 05/03/25 – 6:47 pm (IST): Shortly after I published this article with the news based on a report from DroidLife, I spotted a fresh post from OnePlus on Facebook with an official clarification. According to the post, OnePlus does NOT count the out-of-the-box software as an update. They’ve confirmed that the OnePlus 13 WILL receive Android 19 as well, making it the fourth OS update. The phones will also get six years of security patches.

So yeah, that was one heck of a rollercoaster ride. I hope this official statement clears things up.

Original article published on March 5, 2025, follows:

OnePlus has stepped up to clear the air about its software update policy for both its smartwatches and phones. The confusion kicked off with the launch of the OnePlus Watch 3, leaving fans and tech writers scratching their heads. Now, the company has laid out the details to set things straight.

The trouble started when OnePlus first said the OnePlus Watch 3 would only get two years of software support. That didn’t sit well with folks, especially since competitors like Samsung and Google offer longer timelines. But according to Android Central, OnePlus quickly corrected that.

Both the OnePlus Watch 2 and Watch 3 will now get three years of quarterly security updates. On top of that, they’ll receive software updates for three years too. However, it’s not three full version jumps. The Watch 2, which launched with Wear OS 4, will stop at Wear OS 6. The Watch 3 will go up to Wear OS 7. So, while the support lasts through 2027 for the Watch 3, don’t expect it to keep pace with every new Wear OS version.

For phones, the story’s a bit different — and it’s where things get interesting. OnePlus promises four years of Android OS updates and six years of security patches for devices like the OnePlus 13. Sounds great, right? But there’s a catch. As DroidLife reported, OnePlus counts the software the phone ships with as the first update. Take the OnePlus 13, which launched with Android 15.

That’s update number one in their book. So, it’ll get Android 16, 17, and 18, but not 19. This isn’t how everyone does it. Google, for instance, doesn’t count the launch of software as an update. A Pixel phone starting with Android 15 could get updates up to Android 19 with a similar four-year promise. It’s a small difference, but it means OnePlus phones might miss out on one extra OS version compared to some rivals. But it’s worth noting that his “first update” count will likely depend on how close the OS update was to the phone’s launch. So, if a phone launches several months after the OS update rolled out, the OS version out of the box will likely not be counted as the first update.

How does this stack up? For watches, OnePlus matches Google’s Pixel Watch 3 with three years of updates. Samsung goes a step further, offering four years for its Galaxy Watches. On the phone side, OnePlus’s six years of security updates beat out many competitors, even if the OS updates taper off after Android 18 for the OnePlus 13. Still, that out-of-box counting twist might leave some fans feeling shortchanged.

The OnePlus Watch 3’s launch wasn’t all smooth sailing either. A typo reading “Meda in China” instead of “Made in China” was spotted on the watch, and OnePlus delayed the release to fix it. They even tossed in an apology letter with the first batch. But don’t let that overshadow the good stuff. The Watch 3 boasts killer battery life — up to five days — and charges super fast. Its display is easy on the eyes too. Folks at Android Central are already calling it one of the best Android smartwatches out there.

So, here’s the bottom line. OnePlus smartwatches get three years of security and software updates, topping out at Wear OS 6 for the Watch 2 and Wear OS 7 for the Watch 3. Phones get four years of OS updates and six years of security patches, but that launch software counts as the first update, depending on the release window. It’s not quite the same as Google or Samsung, but OnePlus is still holding its own in a crowded market. With strong devices and a clearer update plan, they’re aiming to keep fans on board for the long haul.