OnePlus is now offering Spotify app for download as part of Android setup

We found references to Spotify in the Nord CE OxygenOS 11.0.6.6 system properties
OneNormalUsername

UPDATES:

2021-09-23 11:12 GMT

We've noticed that OxygenOS 11.2.5.5 update for the OnePlus 9R features previously mentioned software properties. We pushed the oem_build.prop files accordingly on our build-props repo on GitHub for reference.

2021-09-19 00:14 GMT:

We've noticed that OxygenOS 11.2.9.9 update for the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro bringed the same software properties (ro.csc.spotify.music.partnerid and ro.csc.spotify.music.referrerid) we previously found in Nord CE 11.0.6.6 update. We pushed the oem_build.prop files accordingly on our build-props repo on GitHub for reference.

2021-08-04 08:51 GMT:

As we were finalizing this article we noticed Twitter user ashokmor007 posted a screenshot of Spotify being offered for download at the end of Android's setup wizard on their OnePlus device. We have embedded this screenshot below for your convenience.



The OnePlus Nord CE is the latest device OnePlus released. It is available for sale in Europe and in India since June 2021. We previously covered its specifications in another news item, which you can read here. You can download its wallpapers (live and static) here.

It received a couple of OxygenOS updates since its release, which improved battery and camera performance, system stability and network communications.
The most recent one, OxygenOS 11.0.6.6, has rolled out yesterday  and bumped Android security patch level to July 2021, as well as further improved camera performance.

Additionally, while digging through changes not mentioned in official changelog compared to previous build OxygenOS 11.0.5.5, we noticed a few properties have been added to the oem_build.prop file, more specifically ro.csc.spotify.music.partnerid and ro.csc.spotify.music.referrerid.


Said properties also exist on Samsung devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S10, which comes with Spotify preinstalled.
In 2019, OnePlus engaged in a partnership with Spotify to bring an engaged audience (via AdGully), however OnePlus further told TheMobileIndian there was no plan to preload the app.
Two years passed since, and the company recently merged several of its components with OPPO, which engaged last week in a partnership with Spotify to bring personalised playlists to users (via Business Standard).
We therefore wonder whether OnePlus changed their stance.


OnePlus has not immediately responded to a request for clarification.