Nothing stands out in the constantly changing world of Android smartphones because of its simple design and unique software skin. Carl Pei, who used to work for OnePlus, started the UK-based company. It has gained a loyal following by combining clear design with useful technology. As summer turns into fall, people are getting more and more excited about Nothing OS 4.0. This is the newest version of its custom Android interface, which is based on Android 16, which just came out. This update, which has been teased as “Refined. Redefined.,” promises a new look and smarter features. A stable rollout is expected to happen soon.
Android 16: The Beginning of What’s Next
This year, Google shocked the Android community by speeding up its release cycle. The stable Android 16 build came out just after I/O 2025 in June. In the past, big updates came out slowly toward the end of the year. This year, Android 16 came out early, which let OEMs like Nothing speed up their custom skins. This version adds performance, privacy, and user experience improvements that work behind the scenes, such as:
Notifications that are smarter: Alerts from the same app are grouped together to cut down on clutter, and quick pings from a single source are turned down to avoid overwhelming users.
Live Updates: Status feeds for apps like ride-sharing or food delivery show up right on the lock screen or notification shade, so you don’t have to open apps as often.
Material 3 Expressive: A design language that is more dynamic, with animations that flow better and elements that change based on the situation. This could have an effect on Nothing’s dot-matrix-inspired visuals.
People have always liked Nothing OS for its clean, glyph-filled version of stock Android. Version 4.0 builds on this by adding Android 16’s features while keeping the company’s trademark transparency and simplicity.
What are the new features in Nothing OS 4.0?
Nothing hasn’t given us all the details, but recent teasers and beta leaks suggest that the experience will be more polished and interactive. The company shared a short video that shows off “redefined” UI elements, such as:
Redesigned icons: Most of them are circular, with a standout torch icon with a red beam. There are also new Bluetooth toggles, dark mode switches, brightness sliders, and a temperature monitor widget, all of which match Nothing’s black and white color scheme.
Glyph Matrix Improvements: The Glyph Matrix API has been updated to make the rear LED interface better. Now, developers can make interactive mini-games, glanceable widgets, and dynamic notifications that work with Android 16’s live alerts. Think about how your Glyph lights would pulse with updates on deliveries or simple AR games.
AI Integrations: You can expect Nothing’s Essential Space (an AI-powered app hub) to be more connected to your life. It will make smarter suggestions for how to use the app, make it run faster, and add more Gemini-like features to help you in context.
Beta testers say that Nothing’s dot-matrix style animations are smoother, thanks to Android 16’s improvements that make the battery last longer and the latency lower.
These changes fit with Nothing’s “simple, transparent, and user-first” philosophy for software. They may also address complaints about slow updates while adding more fun features.
Rollout Timeline: When Can You Expect It?
Nothing first hinted at Nothing OS 4.0 during the July 2025 launch of the Nothing Phone (3), confirming it would arrive in Q3—specifically, before the end of September. With betas already underway since early September, the stable version is poised for a swift debut. Here’s the expected schedule:
| Phase | Timeline | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Closed Beta | Early September 2025 | Limited to Nothing Phone (3); focused on bug fixes and initial testing. |
| Open Beta | Mid-September 2025 | Wider access for select users; minor UI tweaks observed. |
| Stable Rollout | Late September 2025 | Starts with Phone (3), expands to others within weeks. Full autumn window: September-November. |
The accelerated pace is a win for Nothing users, outpacing competitors like Samsung, whose One UI 8 (also Android 16-based) won’t debut until the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 launch later this year.
Eligible Devices: Who Gets the Upgrade?
Nothing has a solid track record for software support, promising up to five years of OS updates on flagships. However, the original Phone (1) from 2022 marks the end of its major update journey with Android 15. Here’s the full list of confirmed eligible devices:
| Device | Launch Year | Expected Update Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing Phone (3) | 2025 | First; stable by late September. |
| Nothing Phone (3a / 3a Pro) | 2025 | Shortly after Phone (3). |
| Nothing Phone (2) | 2023 | Within 1-2 weeks of Phone (3). |
| Nothing Phone (2a / 2a Plus) | 2024 | Following Phone (2) series. |
| CMF Phone 1 | 2024 | Eligible, but timeline TBD. |
The Phone (1) misses out on Android 16 officially, though CEO Carl Pei recently teased a “program” for its users—possibly extended security patches or a custom AOSP-based update to keep it viable. This could be a surprise goodwill gesture for early adopters.Why Nothing OS 4.0 MattersIn a market flooded with bloated UIs, Nothing OS stands apart by stripping away the excess while amplifying fun, unique touches like the Glyph lights. With Android 16 as its backbone, version 4.0 isn’t just an incremental update—it’s a bold step toward making smartphones feel more alive and less corporate. Whether you’re a die-hard Nothing fan or eyeing the Phone (3), this rollout signals the company’s growing maturity.Keep an eye on Nothing’s X account (
@nothing) for the official drop—it’s coming sooner than you think. What feature are you most hyped for? The redesigned icons or the Glyph-powered games?
