OnePlus 3 in picture
OnePlus 3 in pictureIBTimes India/Sami Khan

OnePlus has released OxygenOS 3.5.5 Open Beta 7 update via OTA (over-the-air) to its flagship smartphone, the OnePlus 3 that was launched this year, but don't mistake it for the much-awaited Android 7.0 Nougat update.

The Chinese smartphone makers have confirmed that it would start rolling out Android 7.0 Nougat update to its devices before the end of this year. The company is expected to seed the first OxygenOS beta build based on Google's new firmware this month to ensure that bugs are fixed before the official roll out. But the latest open beta build for the OnePlus 3 shouldn't be mistaken for Android 7.0 Nougat.

[READ:Android Nougat release date for OnePlus 3, OnePlus 2, OnePlus X confirmed?]

Those who have been testing previous OxygenOS beta builds will receive OxygenOS 3.5.5 Open Beta 7 via OTA. The new update brings security patch for the month of October and other features like audio tuner and background app freezing mechanism, according to a post on OnePlus forum. It also comes with a redesigned accent colour and clock UI, fixed black screen issue when exiting games in horizontal orientation, fixed launcher related crashes, increased system stability, and general bug fixes.

The Beta 7 update is expected to be rolled out to OnePlus 3 devices in the next couple of days as it won't be far off before it gets OxygenOS beta build based on Android 7.0 Nougat.

It is reported that OnePlus will release Android 7.0 Nougat update to OnePlus 2, OnePlus 3 and OnePlus X before the end of 2016. However, the OnePlus One is unlikely to get the firmware update as it is more two years old and runs on Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor which is said to be not compatible with Android 7.0 Nougat's Vulcan API.

(Source: OnePlus Forum)