Nothing has officially started the stable rollout of Nothing OS 4.0, marking the arrival of Android 16 on its devices. The update is currently available for the Nothing Phone 3, with a broader release scheduled for other models in the coming weeks.
Built on Android 16, Nothing OS 4.0 introduces a significant visual overhaul aimed at a cleaner, more minimalist experience. Key changes include refreshed native app icons and a simplified status bar design. The update also brings an “Extra Dark Mode” designed to improve contrast and reduce power consumption on OLED screens. New customization options include additional lock screen clock faces and updated fonts.
A standout feature of Nothing OS 4.0 is the “Essential Apps (Playground),” which allows users to create custom functional widgets using natural language prompts. This no-code solution enables users to generate tools tailored to their specific needs. These widgets can be managed within a new “Widget Drawer,” which also facilitates the sharing of community-created tools. To ensure transparency, a new status bar indicator alerts users when a Large Language Model (LLM) is active, accompanied by an AI Usage Dashboard.
The update improves multitasking with a refined “Pop-up View” that supports running two floating apps simultaneously. A new “System and Apps Dashboard” provides quick access to monitor background processes and optimize system performance. The “Glyph Progress” feature has also been integrated directly with Android 16, expanding its compatibility to a wider range of third-party apps for tracking real-time activities like rides and deliveries.
The Nothing Phone 3 receives several exclusive additions. “Glyph Mirror Selfie” utilizes the Glyph interface to create unique, Matrix-style reflections for photos. “Smarter Flip to Glyph” offers more granular control, allowing users to toggle between Vibrate or Silent modes when placing the phone face down. A new “Pocket Mode” automatically disables the Glyph Matrix to prevent accidental activations. Additionally, new “Glyph Toys” like “Hourglass” and “Lunar Cycle” offer novel ways to visualize time and moon phases.
While the update is live for the Nothing Phone 3, other devices in the lineup, including the Phone 2, Phone 2a, and Phone 2a Plus, are expected to receive it in the coming weeks. CMF by Nothing smartphones will be updated by the end of the year, with the Nothing Phone 3a Lite slated for early 2026.
