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| OnePlus finally catches up with Apple and Samsung on Bluetooth audio sharing. Pictured: OnePlus 15. |
The long-awaited feature lets you share your music, podcasts, and movies with a friend without needing to pass a single earbud back and forth.
If you've ever been on a plane, a morning commute, or just lounging at home and wished you could share your audio with someone else without disturbing those around you, you're in luck. OnePlus is rolling out a significant software update that finally brings dual Bluetooth audio streaming to its flagship smartphones.
What's New in OxygenOS 16.0.8.300/301?
The latest OxygenOS update (version 16.0.8.300/301) introduces a native dual audio mode that allows your OnePlus phone to stream audio to two connected Bluetooth earbuds or speakers simultaneously. This feature is currently making its way to the OnePlus 15, OnePlus 15R, OnePlus 13, and OnePlus 13s across India, Europe, and North America.
This positions OnePlus alongside Samsung and Apple, who have long offered similar audio-sharing capabilities. However, unlike some competitors that restrict this feature to their own branded accessories, OnePlus is taking a more open approach.
The Best Part: It Works With Any Bluetooth Earbuds
Here's where things get interesting. OnePlus isn't locking this feature to its own ecosystem. Whether you own a pair of OnePlus Buds, Nord earbuds, or any other brand like Sony, Bose, or Samsung Galaxy Buds, you can pair them for dual audio streaming. This is a welcome move for users who have invested in premium audio gear from various manufacturers. For those looking for a great value option, the OnePlus Buds 4 are currently available on Amazon for $100.
For a detailed hands-on look at this feature in action, you can check out this video demonstration on YouTube by TechiBee, which breaks down the entire process and showcases the new audio controls.
How to Use Dual Audio on Your OnePlus Phone
Setting up the new dual audio feature is surprisingly straightforward:
- Connect Your Devices: First, pair both Bluetooth audio devices to your OnePlus phone as you normally would. Ensure both are successfully connected.
- Start Playing Media: Play any audio or video content on your phone.
- Access the Control Panel: Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the notification shade and control panel.
- Open Media Player: Tap on the media player widget.
- Select Audio Output: Tap the earbuds icon located in the top-right corner of the media player.
- Choose Your Second Device: You'll see a list of all connected Bluetooth audio devices. Simply select the second pair from the list to start sharing your audio.
- Independent Volume Control: A particularly thoughtful touch is the ability to adjust the volume of each connected device independently, so you and your listening partner can enjoy the audio at your preferred levels.
Beyond Dual Audio: What Else Is in the Update?
The OxygenOS 16.0.8.300/301 update isn't just about dual Bluetooth streaming. It brings several other quality-of-life improvements:
- Customizable Audio Equalizer: Music enthusiasts will appreciate the new equalizer with Pop and Rock sound presets, as well as manual frequency controls for fine-tuning your audio experience.
- Enhanced Game Capture: Gamers can now capture screenshots in 2K resolution, preserving those epic gaming moments in greater detail.
- Weather App Upgrades: The Weather app now displays moonrise, moonset, and lunar phase information on its homepage—a small but thoughtful addition for those who enjoy stargazing or tracking lunar cycles.
- Outdoor Mode: This new feature lets users pin their favorite apps to a shortcut bar for quicker access when you're on the go, making it easier to navigate your phone in bright sunlight or while walking.
Device Compatibility and Availability
As mentioned, the feature is currently rolling out to the flagship OnePlus 15 series and the OnePlus 13 series. If you own one of these devices, keep an eye on your notifications for the OTA update. You can also check manually by navigating to Settings > System & Updates > Software Update.
Official announcement and community discussion regarding this rollout can be found on the OnePlus Community forums here and here, where users are sharing their experiences with the new feature. The OnePlus community has also been buzzing about this update on Reddit, with many users expressing excitement over finally getting this functionality.
What About Older OnePlus Devices?
It's currently unclear whether OnePlus plans to expand this feature to additional devices, including Nord-series phones and older flagships such as the OnePlus 12 lineup. Historically, OnePlus has brought select features from new OxygenOS versions to older devices, but there's no official word on this particular feature's availability beyond the current list.
Users with older OnePlus phones are advised to keep their devices updated and watch for any announcements regarding feature expansion in future updates.
Final Thoughts
The addition of dual Bluetooth audio is a significant quality-of-life improvement for OnePlus users. Whether you're watching a movie with a partner, sharing a playlist with a friend, or just want to let someone listen in on your podcast without handing over your earbuds, this feature makes the experience seamless.
It's also worth noting that OnePlus's approach of keeping the feature open to all Bluetooth devices—not just its own—sets it apart from some competitors and shows a commitment to user choice and flexibility.
Have you received the OxygenOS 16.0.8.300/301 update on your OnePlus device yet? Share your experience with the new dual audio feature in the comments below!
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| OxygenOS 16.0.8.300 OTA |
