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OnePlus will offer toggle to curb throttling, as it should have done originally

You'll need to wait until Android 12 to see it, but at least control will be back in the hands of users.
By
July 22, 2021
OnePlus 9 review Oxygen OS 11 apps
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
TL;DR
  • The OnePlus throttling controversy now has a solution: a built-in performance toggle.
  • The toggle will allow users to control whether or not “performance optimizations” are on or off.
  • Unfortunately, the feature won’t become a part of Oxygen OS until Android 12 rolls out.

A few weeks ago, the internet turned into a firestorm when evidence appeared that OnePlus was throttling app performance on its recent OnePlus 9 series of phones. The company asserted it did this for the sake of battery efficiency. However, fans were rightfully upset that the result is an inability to use the processing power they paid for.

See also: Hey OnePlus, it was never about the crime, it was about the cover-up

OnePlus has heard the response and has a solution: a simple toggle switch that either activates or deactivates the feature. The company told Android Police that it will roll out this new feature within Oxygen OS 12, which is based on the upcoming Android 12.

The company’s statement on the matter is below.

OnePlus throttling solution statement

Since different chips perform differently and we want to make sure to get the best performance and efficiency out of each one, we’ve implemented performance optimizations to varying degrees on the OnePlus 9R and Nord 2. However, given the clear feedback from users and media, our R&D team is currently working to add an option to let users turn on/off this optimized mode and have better control over the performance of their phones. We’re targeting to have this solution ready with one of the first builds of OxygenOS 12.

As you can see from the statement, the just-launched OnePlus Nord 2 will have similar app optimizations as the OnePlus 9 series. Once again, this will mean that you won’t see the full power of the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 when using certain apps. However, our review shows that this might be a good thing, as the Dimensity 1200 chews through battery life and heats up significantly when left unchecked.

Obviously, this whole OnePlus throttling controversy could have been avoided if the company just introduced this toggle in the first place. But better late than never, right? Hopefully, the company will deliver Oxygen OS 12 to the majority of its 2021 phones before the end of this year.