Nothing
Nothing OS 4.0 Based on Android 16 – Complete Overview of Features, Changes, and Improvements
The wait is finally over for Nothing Phone users. Nothing OS 4.0, based on Android 16, has officially started rolling out as an open beta update for multiple devices including the Nothing Phone 3, Nothing Phone 2, Nothing Phone 2A, and Nothing Phone 2A Plus. This new update brings a wave of exciting features, UI enhancements, and system optimizations that aim to improve user experience while maintaining the brand’s minimalist design philosophy.
Supported Devices and Update Size
The Nothing OS 4.0 open beta is now live and can be installed through the Nothing Beta Hub app. Supported devices currently include:
- Nothing Phone (3)
- Nothing Phone (2)
- Nothing Phone (2A)
- Nothing Phone (2A Plus)
The update size varies slightly depending on the model. For instance, the Nothing Phone 3 received a package of around 2.6GB, while the Nothing Phone 2 update size reached 3.1GB. The latest build carries the September 2025 security patch and includes several functional and visual refinements.
How to Install Nothing OS 4.0 Beta
To join the open beta, users need to:
- Download and install the Nothing Beta Hub application – Download
- Navigate to Settings → System → Nothing Beta Hub.
- Grant necessary permissions and tap Join Beta.
- In case of a join fail message, retry a few times — it usually works after multiple attempts.
- Once joined, head to the Software Update section and download the new build.
It’s always recommended to backup your device before installation, even though the update typically doesn’t wipe data.
Nothing OS 4.0: New Features and Enhancements
1. Lock Screen Customization
The lock screen now offers two new clock styles, expanding the total to eight. Although customization options like color changes are still missing, the fresh clock designs give users a touch of newness without altering the clean aesthetic Nothing is known for.
2. Control Center and Quick Settings
The Control Center has received thoughtful refinements:
- The resize icon for tiles has been removed; now, users can tap a tile directly to adjust its size.
- New arrow indicators guide users on resizing options.
- 2×2 tile support has been extended to more settings.
- The reset button has been repositioned for easier accessibility.
- Subtle UI cues like outlines around resized tiles improve visual clarity.
3. Android 16 Based DND & Notification Controls
Nothing OS 4.0 incorporates Android 16’s enhanced Do Not Disturb (DND) feature. Tapping on DND now shows a pop-up with preset modes like Bedtime and Driving, with the ability to create custom modes.
Additionally, notification cooldowns and app optimization tools have been added to improve battery efficiency and performance.
4. UI Improvements and Animations
Animations across the interface feel significantly smoother and more fluid. Small design tweaks in the Bluetooth menu, such as improved segregation of the On/Off toggle and minimalistic search icons, reflect the company’s commitment to refinement.
5. Enhanced Multitasking
Multitasking has been elevated with dual floating app support. Users can now switch seamlessly between two pop-up apps using new floating icons — making multitasking on Nothing OS 4.0 much more efficient.
6. Extra Dark Mode
A new Extra Dark Mode feature delivers deeper blacks and enhanced contrast, providing improved visibility and comfort in low-light environments.
7. Revamped About Section
The About Phone page has been visually redesigned. Instead of showing a half device image, users now see a full device view with consolidated tiles for OS version and phone details — making the layout cleaner and more informative.
8. Intelligent Toolkit and AI Enhancements
Nothing OS 4.0 integrates AI usage dashboards for better transparency in large language model activity. The Intelligent Toolkit now includes an AI Usage section with weekly and daily summaries.
Additionally, the new Playground feature allows users to explore and create AI-generated tools, widgets, glyph toys, and equalizer profiles — all within an intuitive browser-based interface.
Performance, Stability, and Bug Fixes
While most of the changes are visual and functional, the update also includes general performance improvements and bug fixes. Users report smoother animations, better battery management, and improved responsiveness.
Final Verdict
With Nothing OS 4.0, the company has successfully refined the user experience while introducing thoughtful enhancements across customization, performance, and AI integration. While some users may miss deeper personalization options, this update lays a strong foundation for the future of Nothing’s software ecosystem — especially as it evolves with Android 16.
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If you own a Nothing Phone, this update is worth exploring for its blend of smooth performance, clean UI, and subtle yet meaningful upgrades.
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.
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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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