After three major OS updates and nearly four years of service, the OnePlus 6 and 6T are officially unsupported by OnePlus. They will not receive the Android 12 update or any new security patches. If you own a OnePlus 6 or 6T, it's time to start shopping for a new phone.
It's a shame to see these devices reach the end of their life, as they marked a major turning point for OnePlus. After years of scandals, including data breaches and the inclusion of spyware in an OxygenOS firmware update, OnePlus finally launched a compelling set of products and matured its public image a bit. When the OnePlus 6T earned a 7/10 in our detailed review, we were genuinely surprised by its reliability and value.
Here's a quote from OnePlus' end-of-service announcement:
After 3 major updates and more than 3 years of updates, around 60 Closed Beta builds and over 30 Open Beta builds it's now time to close a chapter and announce the end of OnePlus 6 and 6T official software support.It was thanks to your constant support that we were able to constantly improve the software experience on these devices and we can't thank you enough for your constant feedback.
Unless OnePlus pushes a surprise update in the future, all OnePlus 6 and 6T devices are stuck with Android 11 and the November 2021 Android security patch. That leaves them without key Android 12 features, such as the new Material You redesign, and will make them vulnerable to hacking attempts as people slowly discover exploits for the November 2021 security patch.
Some enthusiasts may build unofficial ROMs to extend the life of these devices, but for the average person, it's time to start shopping for a new phone.
Thankfully, there's no shortage of great devices available to replace your OnePlus 6 or 6T. The OnePlus 8 costs just $400, and products like the excellent Google Pixel 6 run for $600. You can also check out our list of 2021's top Android phones, which is still up to date despite the New Year.
Source: OnePlus via Android Police