Nothing
Carl Pei Teases Center Punch-Hole Display and Customizable Nothing OS 2.0 in Upcoming Nothing Phone (2)
In a surprising twist, Nothing Phone (2) has taken a different direction from its predecessor by showcasing a center punch-hole display instead of the expected left corner placement. The revelation came from a screenshot shared by the company’s founder, Carl Pei, giving enthusiasts a glimpse into the upcoming device’s design.
Nothing Phone (2) to Feature Center Punch Hole Display
By comparing the shared image to that of Nothing Phone (1), it becomes evident that the clock on the status bar is aligned symmetrically, suggesting the presence of a center punch-hole. Moreover, the screenshot also revealed a resolution of 2412 × 1080, slightly higher than the Phone (1)’s 2400 × 1080, accompanied by a larger 6.7-inch screen, a step up from the Phone (1)’s 6.55-inch display.
Further specifications confirmed by the company include the integration of a powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC and a 4700mAh battery, providing improved performance and extended usage compared to its predecessor’s 4500mAh battery. Additionally, the Nothing Phone (2) will be shipped with Nothing OS 2.0 as its operating system, with an update planned for Nothing Phone (1) users in August.
Nothing OS 2.0 Home Screen Screenshots from Phone (2)
One of the key highlights of Nothing OS 2.0, as hinted at by Carl Pei through the shared screenshot, is its emphasis on customization and widgets. Accompanied by screenshots shared by Mladen M Hoyss, Software Creative Director at Nothing, and Bruno Viegas, Software Product Design Lead at Nothing, it becomes clear that widgets will play a significant role in enhancing user experience.
Mladen Hoyss’ screenshot primarily showcased various widgets and icons, with a prominent red circle indicating a “Do Not Disturb” widget. All the widgets appeared in black, contrasting with white text. Notably, a “Focus mode” widget was also visible, suggesting that Nothing is prioritizing productivity features within its new OS.
On the other hand, Bruno Viegas shared a screenshot in a lighter theme, deviating from the dark mode prevalent in the other images. In this instance, the widgets were predominantly white, with two red widgets—Do Not Disturb and Glyph Interface—taking the rectangular round shape, while another widget appeared circular.
These images indicate that Nothing OS 2.0 will offer users the flexibility to customize widgets in various sizes and shapes, including circular and rectangular round formats, further enhancing personalization options.
Of particular interest, Nothing OS 2.0 introduces the convenience of enabling Glyph Light directly from widgets. Previously, users had to access the camera to showcase this feature, but with the direct accessibility provided by Nothing OS 2.0, users can enjoy a more seamless experience.
Nothing Phone (2) and Nothing OS 2.0 are generating anticipation among tech enthusiasts, as the company strives to bring innovative design and customization features to its users. With the promise of a center punch-hole display and enhanced widget customization, it appears that Nothing is determined to make its mark in the competitive smartphone market.
Nothing Phone 3 June Update is now rolling out globally, bringing one of the most requested lock screen features along with several system optimizations and camera improvements. The latest update introduces a new Depth Effect feature, enhanced lock screen customization options, smoother animations, camera refinements, and the June 2026 Android security patch.
Nothing Phone 3 June Update Introduces Depth Effect
The highlight of the update is the new Depth Effect for the lock screen. Similar to features available on other flagship smartphones, the clock can now appear behind certain parts of the wallpaper, creating a more immersive and premium look.
Users can enable the feature by long-pressing the lock screen, selecting customization settings, and choosing the Depth Effect option. Since the feature is currently in beta, its effectiveness depends on the wallpaper being used. Some images produce a stronger depth effect than others.
Nothing Phone 3 June Update Brings New Lock Screen Customization
Nothing has also added new controls for lock screen clocks. Users can now:
- Change clock size
- Adjust clock alignment
- Switch between centered and left-aligned layouts
These additions provide greater personalization and allow users to create a lock screen setup that matches their preferences.
Smoother Volume Controls and Better Animations
The update includes subtle changes to the volume panel. The volume slider now offers a smoother visual experience with improved icon animations when adjusting sound levels.
Nothing has also optimized launcher animations, making app opening, closing, and navigation feel more fluid. While the changes are not dramatic, users should notice a more polished overall experience during daily use.
Nothing Phone 3 June Update Improves Camera Performance
The camera application has received a minor version update, but image quality improvements are noticeable in several scenarios.
Indoor photos show better color accuracy, improved contrast, and sharper details. Selfies captured in artificial and low-light environments also benefit from improved skin tones and highlight control.
However, outdoor photography results are mixed. While sky and cloud rendering appear better, some landscape shots may look slightly cooler and darker than before. Overall, the update focuses more on detail enhancement and highlight management.
Nothing Phone 3 June Update Enhances System Stability
Apart from visual and camera enhancements, the update includes:
- June 2026 Android Security Patch
- Improved Bluetooth connectivity stability
- Better audio playback performance
- Enhanced overall system stability
- Dedicated Nothing audio device icons in the status bar
The update package is approximately 536MB and is currently rolling out via OTA. Users who have not received the notification can manually check by navigating to Settings > System > System Update.
Conclusion
The Nothing Phone 3 June Update may not be a major feature release, but it delivers meaningful improvements. The new Depth Effect feature enhances lock screen aesthetics, while camera refinements, smoother animations, and stability improvements contribute to a better overall user experience. For Nothing Phone 3 users, this update is definitely worth installing.
Also Read: OnePlus 15R OxygenOS 16.1 Update: Performance Issues, Camera Review & New Features
Nothing Gallery Update has started rolling out with new editing features, but it still feels incomplete when compared to competitors like OnePlus and its OxygenOS gallery experience. The latest version introduces drawing and markup tools, aiming to enhance photo editing directly within the app. However, the implementation raises questions about usability and feature depth.
What’s New in Nothing Gallery Update
The latest update (version 2.8) introduces a set of basic editing tools under a new drawing section. Users can now add doodles, notes, shapes, and highlights to images. The update also brings options like customizable colors, stroke thickness, and opacity adjustments, making it easier to personalize edits.
Additionally, the mosaic blur feature allows users to hide sensitive details in images, which can be particularly useful for screenshots or sharing private information. Shapes such as arrows, rectangles, circles, and lines can also be added and adjusted with options to rotate, resize, and reposition.
These changes are confirmed in the update notes and demonstrated in detail in the provided source content .
User Experience Still Feels Limited
Despite the addition of new tools, the overall user experience remains underwhelming. The interface itself hasn’t changed, and the editing tools require manual selection for each action. For example, drawing a circle or line requires choosing specific tools rather than allowing gesture-based automatic shape detection.
This is where competitors like OnePlus stand out. On OxygenOS, users can simply draw a rough shape and hold for a moment, and the system automatically converts it into a perfect shape. This makes editing faster and more intuitive.
In contrast, Nothing’s implementation feels more rigid and less refined, requiring extra steps for actions that should be seamless.
Missing Advanced Features
Another limitation is the absence of advanced editing capabilities. Features like automatic blur detection, smart markup suggestions, or AI-powered enhancements are still missing. While the current update adds basic functionality, it does not significantly elevate the app to match modern standards.
Even after over a year since the launch of the Nothing Gallery app, the pace of feature development appears slow. Users expecting a polished and feature-rich gallery experience may find it lacking.
Final Thoughts
The Nothing Gallery Update is a step in the right direction, introducing essential tools that were previously missing. However, it still falls short when compared to more mature gallery apps available on other Android skins.
For now, it serves as a basic editing solution rather than a fully competitive gallery platform. Future updates will need to focus on smarter implementations and advanced features to truly stand out.
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NothingOS 4.1 Update: Real-World Camera Test Results
The latest NothingOS 4.1 update for the Nothing Phone (4a) has started rolling out, bringing camera-related enhancements, system tweaks, and the April 2026 security patch. However, after personally testing the update in real-world conditions, the results appear to be mixed rather than a clear upgrade.
One of the key highlights of this update is the improved front camera video performance. Exposure handling is noticeably better, making videos look brighter and more vibrant. Faces appear well-lit, and HDR performance is more stable compared to the previous version. This makes the front camera more suitable for social media content. However, this improvement comes at the cost of color accuracy, as videos now carry a slightly warm or reddish tint.
On the rear camera side, the update claims to enhance autofocus performance, but in testing, there is little to no noticeable improvement. The camera still struggles to maintain focus unless the subject is perfectly centered. Additionally, minor color shifting during focus adjustments affects consistency in both photos and videos.
Portrait photography has seen some changes as well. Images now appear brighter with improved edge detection, especially at 2x zoom. However, at higher zoom levels like 3.5x, aggressive processing becomes evident. Skin tones tend to shift toward warmer tones, and facial details are slightly reduced due to added smoothing. While the images may look more appealing at first glance, they sacrifice realism and texture.
Color processing overall has shifted toward a more vibrant and punchy style. Greens and reds appear boosted, making images pop more on screen. However, HDR performance has taken a slight hit, with highlights such as skies occasionally getting overexposed.
Apart from camera changes, the update introduces minor refinements like improved haptic feedback in the recorder app and suggestions for essential notifications. Despite these additions, occasional UI jitters and performance inconsistencies still persist.
In conclusion, the NothingOS 4.1 update focuses more on visual appeal than natural output. Users who prefer vibrant images may appreciate the changes, but those seeking accurate colors and consistent performance might find this update less satisfying.
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