OnePlus 13 gets bypass charging in its first big update of 2026, as Nord 5 and Nord 4 also pick up new OxygenOS updates

OnePlus has released its first major software update of 2026 for the OnePlus 13, OnePlus Nord 5, and OnePlus Nord 4. The updates, based on OxygenOS 16 (the company's skin on Android 16), introduce a headline feature for the flagship—bypass charging—while the mid-range models receive focused enhancements to their camera, search, and storage management tools. All updates integrate the January 2026 Android security patch.

What's New: Bypass Charging for the OnePlus 13

The flagship OnePlus 13 (model 16.0.3.501) receives the most notable hardware-adjacent feature: bypass charging. This is a feature previously seen on dedicated gaming phones like the ASUS ROG Phone series. In standard charging, power from the adapter is routed through the battery before reaching the system components. Bypass charging allows the phone to draw power directly from the charger, effectively bypassing the battery.

The practical benefits are significant for users who engage in sustained high-load activities. When gaming, live-streaming, navigating with high screen brightness, or watching videos for hours, the phone generates substantial heat. Bypass charging mitigates this by reducing the thermal load on the battery, which is a primary cause of long-term battery degradation. It also keeps the device cooler during these sessions, which can help maintain peak CPU and GPU performance without thermal throttling.

Beyond the flagship, the update addresses a common frustration for mobile photographers. The Photos app now supports editing full-resolution 50-megapixel images without the app crushing the quality—a frequent issue where apps downscale images to save processing power. For organization, the app drawer gains two new auto-categorization categories: "Office" and "Finance," helping users with cluttered app libraries find productivity and banking apps faster.

Nord 5 and Nord 4: Refinements for Daily Use

The OnePlus Nord 5 and Nord 4 receive a more focused update (OxygenOS 16.0.2.400/401) centered on usability and performance. A key improvement is to the "Circle to Search" feature. For users who prefer a clean interface with gesture navigation and the guide bar hidden, triggering the visual search overlay was previously cumbersome. The update now allows users to simply touch and hold the bottom area of the screen where the guide bar would normally be, making the feature more accessible.

Storage management is also streamlined. Users can now launch the storage cleanup tool directly from the Smart Sidebar, a quicker path than digging through settings. The Photos app sees performance and organizational upgrades: thumbnail parsing is improved for faster loading, and new filter options for "Motion Photo," "Screenshots & screen recordings," and "Edited" content make finding specific media easier. The Nord 5 specifically gains the ability to stack 2x1 widgets on the home screen, improving space utilization.

Both mid-range models also gain the ability to edit images and videos directly within the Private Safe (OnePlus's encrypted storage folder) without needing to unlock them first, adding a layer of convenience for secure media management.

How It Compares: A Focused, Incremental Rollout

These updates are incremental rather than transformative, which is typical for a mid-cycle software patch. They don't introduce new core OS features but instead refine existing ones based on user feedback. The addition of bypass charging to the OnePlus 13 is a strategic move, aligning its software capabilities with the hardware prowess of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, making it more appealing to mobile gamers and power users who might otherwise look to dedicated gaming brands.

Compared to the broader OxygenOS 16 launch, which focused on the new Android 16 foundation and major UI changes, this update is about polishing the experience. For Nord 5 and Nord 4 owners, the improvements to Circle to Search and storage tools address specific, real-world usability gaps that likely emerged after the initial software rollout.

Who It's For

• OnePlus 13 Owners: This is a must-install update for anyone who games on their phone, uses it for long navigation sessions, or live-streams. The bypass charging feature directly protects your battery investment and improves thermal performance. Photographers will also appreciate the full-resolution editing capability.
• Nord 5 and Nord 4 Owners: If you use gesture navigation and have been frustrated with triggering Circle to Search, this update is for you. Users with limited storage will find the quicker access to cleanup tools valuable. The general performance and organizational tweaks benefit all users looking for a smoother daily experience.

Availability and Rollout

As of now, these updates are limited to users in India who are already running OxygenOS 16. OnePlus has confirmed that a wider, global rollout will follow in the coming weeks. Users can check for the update manually by navigating to Settings > About device > Software update.

For more details on the official changelogs, you can visit the OnePlus Community announcements.