OnePlus 13 and Oxygen OS 15 Accessibility: Persistent Challenges for Visually Impaired Users

The OnePlus 13, the latest flagship from OnePlus, continues the brand’s tradition of delivering high-performance devices with sleek designs. However, for users who rely on accessibility features, particularly those with visual impairments, the experience on the OnePlus 13 and Oxygen OS 15 leaves much to be desired. While the device boasts impressive hardware and software enhancements, its accessibility shortcomings—many of which persist from Oxygen OS 14 and the OnePlus 12—remain a significant barrier. This review highlights the key accessibility issues we’ve observed during our testing of the OnePlus 13, many of which also affect other devices running Oxygen OS 15. It’s worth noting that the Chinese variant of the OnePlus 13 comes with Color OS 15, which we have not tested, so our observations are limited to the global version running Oxygen OS 15.

Accessibility Observations on the OnePlus 13 and Oxygen OS 15

Inaccessible “Get Started” Button During Setup

The very first interaction with the OnePlus 13 can be frustrating for TalkBack users. After enabling TalkBack, the “Get Started” button on the initial setup screen is not accessible. Users must either turn off TalkBack and guess the button’s position or use a pass-through gesture to select it. This glaring oversight creates an unnecessary hurdle right at the outset, setting a poor tone for the accessibility experience.

Lack of Speech Feedback During Fingerprint Setup

Setting up the fingerprint sensor on the OnePlus 13 lacks the speech feedback commonly found on other devices. Typically, phones provide verbal cues like “lift your finger” or “touch again” to guide users through the process. On the OnePlus 13, users must swipe around the screen to read the instructions, relying on vibrations to confirm successful input. This issue, which also affected the OnePlus 12 and Oxygen OS 14, makes the process less intuitive and more cumbersome for visually impaired users.

Erroneous “Move Up” Feedback on the Lock Screen

Once the device is set up, another persistent issue arises on the lock screen. When using the fingerprint sensor, TalkBack erroneously announces “Move up” when touching anywhere on the bottom half of the screen, even far from the sensor. This misleading feedback is not only annoying but also disrupts the user experience. This problem is not unique to the OnePlus 13; it also affects other devices running Android 15.

Recent Apps Window Scrolling and Labeling Issues

The Recent Apps window presents significant accessibility challenges. Users cannot scroll through the list of recent apps directly; instead, they must use the two-finger TalkBack gesture to scroll and then tap to focus on an app. Additionally, the seven icons at the bottom of the Recent Apps screen, which represent the most recently used apps, are sometimes mislabeled. The labels reflect their positions rather than the app names, and they do not update when the app positions change. This inconsistency makes navigation needlessly complicated.

Vertical Sliders Inaccessible via TalkBack Gestures

TalkBack users face difficulties adjusting vertical sliders, such as those for volume and brightness in the Quick Settings panel. The familiar one-finger up/down gesture does not work, forcing users to press and hold on the sliders for adjustments. This method is less precise and more time-consuming compared to the seamless experience offered by horizontal sliders in the Settings app. This issue has carried over from Oxygen OS 14 and the OnePlus 12.

Camera App Lacks Verbal Feedback for Face and Object Detection

The OnePlus 13’s camera app falls short in providing verbal feedback for face or object detection, a feature commonly found on Pixel and Samsung devices. Additionally, it lacks guided frame functionality, which helps users center subjects within the frame. These omissions make the camera app less accessible for visually impaired users who rely on auditory cues to capture photos.

Persistent Accessibility Issues from Previous Models

Many of the accessibility issues observed on the OnePlus 13 are not new. They were also present on the OnePlus 12 and devices running Oxygen OS 14. This lack of progress in addressing long-standing accessibility concerns is disappointing, especially for users who have been vocal about these challenges. For a more detailed overview of these recurring issues, readers can refer to our OnePlus 12 review.

Other Points Worth Mentioning

OnePlus has made a small but noteworthy improvement in OxygenOS 15 by addressing the conflict between TalkBack and the system’s multi-finger gestures. Now, when TalkBack or the Braille keyboard is active, OxygenOS automatically disables its own multi-finger gestures, ensuring they don’t interfere with accessibility services.

Additionally, if you use Jieshuo screen reader, it is recommended that you install it using a third-party installer such as Skit or APKMirror Installer. Some users have reported that Jieshuo may not start properly when installed through conventional methods, so using one of these installers can help ensure it runs as expected.

Conclusion and Ramifications

The OnePlus 13, while a powerful device in terms of performance and design, fails to meet the accessibility standards expected from a modern flagship smartphone. The issues highlighted in this review—ranging from the inaccessible “Get Started” button to the lack of verbal feedback in the camera app—demonstrate a lack of attention to the needs of visually impaired users. Many of these problems are not unique to the OnePlus 13; they also affect devices running Oxygen OS 15, indicating a broader systemic issue within OnePlus’s software development process.

It’s important to note that the OnePlus 13 is not alone in its accessibility shortcomings. Our review of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Series with One UI 7.0 reveals that it, too, suffers from significant accessibility issues. This means that newer Samsung Galaxy phones are not necessarily better alternatives for users prioritizing accessibility. For a deeper dive into the challenges faced on the S25 Series, readers can refer to our Samsung Galaxy S25 Series Accessibility Review.

For users who prioritize accessibility, these shortcomings may make the OnePlus 13 and similar devices less appealing choices compared to competitors like Google Pixel, which continues to set the standard for accessibility in Android devices. OnePlus must address these persistent issues in future updates and hardware releases to ensure its devices are truly inclusive. Until then, visually impaired users may find themselves navigating unnecessary obstacles in their daily interactions with the OnePlus 13 and other devices running Oxygen OS 15.

As the accessibility landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial for manufacturers like OnePlus and Samsung to prioritize inclusivity and ensure that all users, regardless of ability, can fully enjoy their devices. We hope that OnePlus takes these observations to heart and works toward delivering a more accessible experience in the future.