OnePlus 13 Gains Major Bypass Charging Upgrade

The OnePlus 13 has just picked up a surprisingly big quality-of-life upgrade, long after its original release. The new OxygenOS 16.0.3.501 update is now rolling out and adds bypass charging support to the phone, a feature that’s usually reserved for newer hardware. Bypass charging lets the phone draw power directly from the charger instead of routing it through the battery during heavy use. That means less heat buildup and reduced long-term battery wear when you’re gaming, streaming, navigating, or pushing the phone hard for extended periods. It’s the same feature the top-end OnePlus 15 offers, and it’s a welcome upgrade for anyone still holding onto the 13. The update doesn’t stop there. OnePlus has also unlocked full-quality editing for 50MP photos in the Photos app, allowing users to tweak high-resolution images without compressing them or sacrificing detail. For a phone that still holds up well in the camera department, this makes the editing experience feel far less restricted than before. Advertisement OxygenOS 16.0.3.501 also bundles in the January 2026 Android security patch, alongside a handful of smaller but useful system tweaks. App Drawer categorisation has been expanded with new Office and Finance folders, making it easier to organise larger app libraries. Private Safe has also seen improvements, including file search, sharing, and easier access via the alert slider. There are a couple of subtle connectivity updates too, including a new toggle that lets users hide the “Reply with SMS” option on incoming call screens — a small change, but one that adds a bit more control over call handling. The update carries firmware version CPH2649_16.0.3.501(EX01) and is currently rolling out to a limited number of users in India, with a wider release expected over the coming days. As usual, OnePlus appears to be staggering the rollout to keep things stable. While the OnePlus 13 may no longer be the brand’s headline phone, updates like this show OnePlus hasn’t forgotten about it. Adding bypass charging this late in the device’s life isn’t just a token tweak — it meaningfully improves longevity, especially for users who still rely on the phone for gaming or heavy daily use. For long-term OnePlus fans, that’s a reassuring sign.