After months of eager anticipation, the technology brand Nothing has officially announced the public release of its major software upgrade, Nothing OS 4.0. The stable version of this Android 16-based operating system is scheduled to begin its rollout to users on Friday, November 21.
From Beta to General Availability
The journey to this public release began in late October when Nothing initiated an open beta program for Nothing OS 4.0. This testing phase allowed a wide range of users to experience the new software early and provide valuable feedback to the company. In a recent communication on the Nothing Community site, the organization expressed its gratitude to all the beta testers whose input helped refine the final product. The company confirmed that the general release is now prepared for a full-scale launch, a fact further emphasized by a concise post on the social media platform X.
Devices Set to Receive the Update
While a formal and exhaustive device list has not been published, the models that participated in the open beta strongly indicate which phones will be the first to get the update. The Nothing Phone 2, Phone 3, Phone 2a, 2a Plus, 3a, and 3a Pro are all expected to start receiving Nothing OS 4.0 from the very first day of the rollout, which is November 21. Support for other models, such as the rumored Phone 3a Lite, is anticipated to follow in subsequent waves. The update is also projected to extend to devices from Nothing's CMF sub-brand, which operate on Nothing OS and are included in the company's software support promises.
What's New in Nothing OS 4.0?
This significant update brings a fusion of core Android 16 enhancements and unique features developed by Nothing. Users can look forward to several new functionalities designed to improve the overall experience. Key introductions include an Extra Dark Mode for more comfortable viewing in low light, a Pop-Up View for managing applications in floating windows, and a fresh 2x2 layout for Quick Settings tiles. The update also adds more creative freedom with additional lock screen clock designs.
A notable addition is the Essential Apps feature, which consists of user-made widgets that can be shared with the community on the Nothing Playground platform. Furthermore, the Nothing Phone 2 series will gain the Stretch camera capability, a feature previously exclusive to the Phone 3. The rollout will also include the Lock Glimpse function, though Nothing has confirmed that, following earlier feedback, this feature will be disabled by default on the Phone 3a models to address user concerns.
As the general release commences on November 21, the update will be distributed to supported devices in a gradual manner over the following days. Nothing OS 4.0 stands as the company's most substantial software release this year, delivering a revitalized user interface, tools centered on an AI-first strategy, and deeper personalization options across the Nothing device ecosystem.
