OnePlus 8, OnePlus 8 Pro Receive Android 11 Developer Preview 3 Update

The preview 3 brings features like Always-on display function, including 11 new clock styles, three new Zen Mode themes for OnePlus 8 series users.

By Sourabh Kulesh | Updated: 12 August 2020 13:42 IST

OnePlus 8, OnePlus 8 Pro Receive Android 11 Developer Preview 3 Update

Photo Credit: OnePlus

OnePlus recently launched the HydrogenOS 11 in China

Highlights

OnePlus 8 series Android 11 Developer Preview 3 brings new features
The beta is launched a day after HydrogenOS 11 debut in China
OnePlus 8 series Android 11 Developer Preview 3 brings new visual design

OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro got the third beta instalment of Android 11 in the form of Android 11 Developer Preview 3. The company announced the development on the OnePlus community forum, and it includes a list of key updates, some known issues as well as steps to upgrade and a word of caution for those flashing their phones. The news comes a day after OnePlus unveiled its Android 11-based HydrogenOS 11 in China with a string of features, and improvements.

OnePlus is one of the smartphone companies that have offered an opt-in Android 11 beta programme to its users. Developers and early adopters, who have registered for the programme and are using one of the OnePlus 8 and the OnePlus 8 Pro devices, have been roped-in to test the features before a final stable version is rolled out to the masses.

OnePlus recommends that testers do not flash this build on their daily use device because it might brick their handsets or they might lose their important data. The company also asks the testers to create a backup of their data. In order to install the Android 11 Developer Preview 3 on any OnePlus 8 series smartphone, the testers are required to have above 30 percent battery and a minimum 3GB of storage available. The OnePlus 8 series carrier devices (TMO/VZW) aren't compatible with the Developer Preview builds, the company says.

[Sponsored] Samsung Galaxy S24: The Ultimate Camera Phone With Smarter On-Device AI

Key updates in the Android 11 Developer Preview 3

New visual design (including Weather app, Launcher, Gallery, Notes)
New layout for more comfortable and convenient one-handed operation
Always-on display function, including 11 new clock styles
Live wallpaper that changes according to the time of day
New OnePlus Sans font that improves readability
Optimized Dark Mode, including the ability to automatically turn on and off and a shortcut in Quick Settings
Three new Zen Mode themes, more timing options, and new Group feature to let you experience Zen Mode with your friends
New Gallery function that automatically creates a weekly story based on your photos and videos

Known issues in the Android 11 Developer Preview 3

Some third-party applications may not function as expected
System stability issues
Network stability issues in some scenarios

How to upgrade OnePlus 8 to Android 11 Developer Preview 3

Download the latest ROM upgrade zip package
If downloaded on a desktop, copy the file to the phone's storage
Head to Settings > System Updates and tap on the menu icon
Tap on Local upgrade and navigate to the file
Tap on Upgrade > System Upgrade and wait for the installation to complete
Tap Restart and you should be upgraded to Android 11 Developer Preview 3

As mentioned, the third preview comes a day after OnePlus unveiled its Android 11-based HydrogenOS 11 in China. OnePlus launches HydrogenOS without Google services and apps in China, and OxygenOS in rest of the markets. The latter usually have all the features of the version that launches in China. The HydrogenOS 11 has features like Always-on Display, a redesigned Gallery app, Weather app, an improved dark mode, among others. These features are likely to be included in Android 11-based OxygenOS 11.

Is Nord the iPhone SE of the OnePlus world? We discussed this on Orbital, our weekly technology podcast, which you can subscribe to via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or RSS, download the episode, or just hit the play button below.

Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.

OnePlus 8

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Very good build quality
Vivid display
Excellent performance and software
Solid battery life
Decent camera performance

Bad
No IP rating or wireless charging
Low-light video could be better
12GB variant isn’t great value

Read detailed OnePlus 8 review

Display 6.55-inch

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 865

Front Camera 16-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 16-megapixel + 2-megapixel

RAM 12GB

Storage 256GB

Battery Capacity 4300mAh

OS Android 10

Resolution 1080x2400 pixels

More OnePlus mobiles OnePlus mobiles price in India

OnePlus 8 Pro

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Excellent build quality, IP68 rating
Bright, fluid display
Very good rear cameras
Solid overall performance
Great battery life
Fast wireless charging

Bad
Selfie camera could be better
Excessive rear camera bulge

Read detailed OnePlus 8 Pro review

Display 6.78-inch

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 865

Front Camera 16-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 8-megapixel + 48-megapixel + 5-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB

Battery Capacity 4510mAh

OS Android 10

Resolution 1440x3168 pixels

More OnePlus mobiles OnePlus mobiles price in India

Comments

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.