OnePlus 15 Update Enables 165Hz Refresh Rate in Select Applications
A recent software update for the OnePlus 15, designated version 16.0.1.305, introduces performance enhancements and bug fixes. Notably, this update enables the device’s full 165Hz display refresh rate within specific applications.
The update extends the availability of the 165Hz refresh rate to WhatsApp, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). Previously, this higher refresh rate was limited to a select number of games, with other applications operating at a maximum of 120Hz.
To access this feature, users must enable Developer Options within the device settings. This process, while straightforward, presents a potential caveat. Activating Developer Options may, in some instances, interfere with the functionality of certain applications, particularly those related to banking, potentially rendering them unusable until the mode is disabled.
Furthermore, the implementation of this feature deviates from a dynamic refresh rate model. Once activated, the display remains fixed at 165Hz within the specified applications, without adapting to on-screen activity to conserve power.
The implementation method raises questions regarding design choices. A more conventional approach could have integrated the 165Hz refresh rate option within the existing Display & Brightness settings menu. This menu, already offering refresh rate adjustments, provides a degree of user awareness regarding performance trade-offs. Such an implementation could have also preserved the dynamic refresh rate functionality.
The current implementation’s complexity contrasts with the device’s marketed capabilities. By obscuring a core feature, OnePlus potentially limits accessibility for users. A feature deemed significant for marketing purposes should ideally be readily accessible, rather than restricted to specific applications and hidden within advanced settings.
The update, currently rolling out in India, is expected to become available in other regions shortly.
