OnePlus 6T comes with useful new navigation gestures

OnePlus started rolling out Android 9 Pie-based OxygenOS 9.0 to OnePlus 6 in September earlier this year, bringing a host of Android Pie features to the device, along with new full-screen navigation gestures. With this update, users can now do away with the navigation buttons and rely on Android Pie navigation gestures or OnePlus’ own navigation gestures.

The OnePlus 6 had a total of three navigation gestures – swipe up from the center to home, swipe up from the center and hold to recent apps, and swipe up from either side to go back – OnePlus One Plus 6T also includes some gestures. OxygenOS 9 also has a nifty app-switching gesture that works similarly to double-tapping the recent apps button, allowing users to switch between two recently used apps. To use the app switching gesture, users must swipe right from the center up to quickly switch between apps.

We’re sure many OnePlus 6 users missed the quick app switching gestures on the device, and the OnePlus 6T’s new gestures come to their rescue. Since the OnePlus doesn’t have a home button, it also includes a handy Google Assistant shortcut, allowing users to long-press the power button to launch Google Assistant. Google Assistant shortcuts aren’t turned on by default, so if you want to use them, you’ll need to go to the Buttons & Gestures tab in the Settings menu and tap Quick Launch Assistant App. toggle.

When Google Assistant shortcuts are turned on, users can press and hold the power button for 0.5 seconds to display Google Assistant, and press and hold it for 3 seconds to display the power menu. I personally like the new Google Assistant shortcuts, but they may seem like an issue for people who don’t want to interact with Google Assistant when they turn off or restart their device. However, considering the fact that most people rarely turn off or restart their smartphones, the chances of facing this problem are minimal.

What do you think about the new navigation gestures on OnePlus 6T? Do you think OnePlus’ implementation of navigation gestures is better than the standard Android Pie navigation gestures? Let us know in the comments section below.