OnePlus 15 Gets Android 17 Beta 2 Update With New UI Changes But Should You Install It

Utshab Biswas
1 minute ago
6 min read

What You need to Know

OnePlus 15 gets Android 17 Beta 2 with UI and animation improvements
New homescreen organiser and colour-based app categorisation added
Beta update includes bugs like screen flickering and app crashes
Installation wipes data and is recommended only for developers

OnePlus has officially opened the door for early adopters and developers to experience Android 17 on the company's latest flagship smartphone. Following Google's release of Android 17 Beta for Pixel devices last month, OnePlus has now officially announced the release of Android 17 Beta 2 for the OnePlus 15 smartphone. The release has been made available via the official OnePlus Community Forum. The Android 17 Beta 2 release is currently intended for use by developers and advanced users who want to test apps and experience the upcoming Android 17 features.

However, similar to any other early beta version, this release comes with many risks, including stability issues, bugs, and data loss. Therefore, although the Android 17 Beta 2 release comes with many exciting features, it is not recommended for use by regular users who use the OnePlus 15 as their primary device.

Let's take a detailed look at everything you need to know about the Android 17 Beta 2 release for the OnePlus 15 smartphone.

Android 17 Beta 2 Arrives for OnePlus 15

The latest update of Android 17 Beta 2 is the first in the beta series for the OnePlus 15. Although the update is named "Beta 2," it is actually the first beta version of the upcoming Android 17 update for the OnePlus 15. This is because Google has now shifted the strategy of the updates, and the Developer Preview updates have been removed. This is the first update in the beta series for the OnePlus 15.

Google has recently released the latest update of the upcoming Android 17 Beta 2 for Pixel devices. It seems like the company is following the same update strategy as Google. This is allowing the developers and users of the OnePlus 15 to get the latest updates of the upcoming Android version ahead of the official rollout.

OnePlus has also provided the complete guide for the installation of the update along with the ROM files in the community post. However, the company has clearly mentioned that the update is only for developers and users who are ready to face the issues in the system.

Android 17 Beta 2 Shows OxygenOS 16 Instead of OxygenOS 17

It is interesting to note that even though the update is based on Android 17, in the "About Phone" section, the OnePlus 15 shows Oxygen OS 16. This shows that the software is in its early stages of development and is intended only for internal testing.

The stable Android 17 update for OnePlus devices will come with Oxygen OS 17. Until then, the beta updates will continue to have early-stage software branding.

This also shows that OnePlus is working on making significant changes to the UI and polishing the features.

New Features and Changes in Android 17 Beta 2 for OnePlus 15

Although OnePlus has not revealed the changelog, YouTuber TechiBee has revealed some insightful information regarding the Android 17 Beta 2 update. Some new features and UI changes have been spotted in the build.

New Homescreen Organiser

One of the notable features is that there is a new "Organise" option on the home screen. If you long press on a blank space on the home screen, you will notice a new "Organise" button.

This feature allows you to automatically sort your apps by colour scheme. It is a new way of organizing your apps, and it is very easy to use. This feature is similar to what we saw on Xiaomi and POCO.

Reworked Quick Settings Animations

The quick settings panel animations have also been changed. When you swipe down to view your notifications or quick settings panel, the animations are smoother and more bouncy.

This small visual change enhances the user experience and gives the interface a more modern look compared to OxygenOS 16.

Improved Live Alerts Animations

The Live Alerts animations have been given a major visual update. This update has made the animations more visually appealing with the introduction of further blur effects.

This is a major update over the Live Alerts animations in OxygenOS 15 and 16.

Enhanced Blur Effects in Photos App

The Photos app has also seen a further implementation of the Gaussian blur effect on the top and bottom tabs. This further enhances the premium look of the interface.

Blur effects are a growing trend in the design of the user interface of modern-day smartphones, and it looks like OnePlus has taken it a step further in Android 17.

App Drawer Colour Categorisation

Another interesting feature is the addition of color-based app sorting in the app drawer. A new icon in the color of the apps has been added next to the search bar.

This feature improves accessibility and makes it easier for users to locate apps based on colors instead of going through long lists.

New Glow Effect in Lockscreen PIN

The new feature in the lock screen's PIN interface is the glowing animation effect when tapping on the numbers. The new feature provides a modern look for the lock screen.

While this is not a big feature, it is part of making the UI look very refined.

Additional Changes in Android 17 Beta 2

Apart from the major UI changes, several smaller improvements have also been spotted:

Settings app sections reorganised
Blur effect added to quick settings tiles
O+ Connect support for receiving iPhone calls and messages
UI polish across system apps
Improved animations throughout the interface

These changes indicate that OnePlus is focusing heavily on UI refinement and system polish in Android 17.

Android 17 Beta 2 Known Issues

Since this is an early beta build, users may encounter several issues. Some of the known problems include:

Screen casting not working
Screen flickering issues
Camera app black screen bug
App crashes and system instability
Third-party app compatibility issues
Banking apps may not work properly

These issues make the update risky, especially for users who depend on their phone daily.

Data Will Be Wiped During Installation

Another important factor to note is that installing Android 17 Beta 2 will wipe all data on your device. This means users must back up everything before installing the update.

The flashing process also requires manual steps, making it suitable only for advanced users.

Availability of Android 17 Beta 2

Currently, the Android 17 Beta 2 update is available for:

OnePlus 15 IN variant
OnePlus 15 EU variant

For North America variants, users need to follow a separate flashing guide mentioned in the official OnePlus blog.

Should You Install Android 17 Beta 2 on OnePlus 15

If you are a developer or a tech enthusiast who wants to experience the new features of Android 17 before others, it is worth installing the update.

However, for the average user, it may not be the best option to install the Android 17 Beta 2 update. This is because the OnePlus 15 is most likely your primary device, and experiencing problems such as camera crashes, banking app problems, or screen flickers may be a hassle.

Therefore, it would be best to wait for the stable version of the Android 17 update unless you are comfortable with the experience of a buggy device.

Android 17 Stable Update Expected Soon

The stable version of the update is expected later in the year for the OnePlus 15 with the update of OxygenOS 17. This version is said to include refined features, improved performance, and increased stability.

Until then, the Android 17 Beta 2 is only a preview version of the update.

The Android 17 Beta 2 update for the OnePlus 15 introduces various improvements in the UI, animations, and system updates. From app organization using color schemes to enhancing the blur effect and animations, it seems OnePlus is putting a lot of emphasis on the design aspect.

However, the bugs, data wipe, and stability issues associated with the update make it difficult for the average user to install it. If you use the OnePlus 15 as your primary device, it is recommended to wait for the stable Android 17 release.

The Android 17 Beta 2 update is a great opportunity for developers to experience the future of OxygenOS and Android 17.