Introduction
Nothing has officially announced its Nothing OS 4.0 Open Beta Update, bringing a fresh design, AI-driven features, and better performance to its smartphones. Based on Android 16, this update is a major step forward for the company’s growing ecosystem.
For many in the Nothing community, a new OS isn’t just a list of features—it’s a renewed promise of a distraction-free, stylish smartphone experience. With Nothing OS 4.0, that promise feels bigger than ever.
In this article, we’ll cover the key features, eligible devices, rollout timeline, and FAQs to help you understand everything about the new update.
📱 What is Nothing OS 4.0?
Nothing OS 4.0 is the latest custom skin developed by Nothing, built on top of Android 16.
The update focuses on:
- A redesigned, cleaner user interface.
- New features for multitasking and privacy.
- Improved performance and connectivity.
- Transparent use of AI tools for better user control.
🚀 Key Features of Nothing OS 4.0
Here are some of the most anticipated features that come with the Nothing OS 4.0 Open Beta:
- Extra Dark Mode: A deeper, richer dark mode for improved readability and battery efficiency.
- Pop-Up View & Floating Apps: Users can run up to two floating app windows at the same time, improving multitasking for power users.
- AI Usage Dashboard: A new AI Transparency Dashboard shows which AI services are running in the background, giving users more privacy control.
- TrueLens Engine for Camera & Gallery: Improved image processing and new creative presets for enhanced photo and video experiences.
- Redesigned User Interface:
- New lock-screen clock styles.
- Modernized quick settings and icons.
- Smoother animations and transitions.
- Stability & Connectivity Upgrades: Better Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and overall performance, along with smoother brightness control and system responsiveness.
Think about the everyday difference these features make: You can keep your chat window floating over your document while working (Pop-Up View), snap a high-quality photo with a new TrueLens preset, and then check a dashboard to feel completely in control of the AI that just helped you (AI Usage Dashboard). This is software built for the way we actually use our phones.
📆 Rollout Timeline
The Nothing OS 4.0 Open Beta is expected to begin in September 2025, with a stable release in late 2025.
- First devices to receive the beta: Nothing Phone (3).
- Followed by: Nothing Phone (2), Phone (2a), and 2a Plus.
- The Nothing Phone (1) may not get this update as it has completed its promised software support cycle.
📱 Eligible Devices
Currently, the update will roll out to:
- Nothing Phone (3) – first in line.
- Nothing Phone (2) and Phone (2a/2a Plus) – after the initial beta testing.
⚠️ Things to Keep in Mind
As an open beta, this is your chance to be on the cutting edge and help shape the final product. Your feedback on the new features—especially the AI dashboard and multitasking tools—will be crucial in making the stable release polished and perfect. Dive in, but remember to back up your memories first!
- Always back up your data before installing beta updates.
- Some features may change or improve before the stable release.
❓ FAQ – Nothing OS 4.0 Open Beta Update
- When will the Nothing OS 4.0 Open Beta be released? The open beta rollout is expected to start in September 2025, beginning with the Nothing Phone (3).
- Is Nothing OS 4.0 based on Android 16? Yes, it is built on top of Android 16, offering the latest security and performance improvements.
- Which phones are eligible for the update? Currently, Phone (3), Phone (2), and Phone (2a/2a Plus) are confirmed to receive the beta and stable updates.
- Does the Nothing Phone (1) get Nothing OS 4.0? No, the Phone (1) is unlikely to receive the OS 4.0 update since it has already completed its major update cycle.
- What new features are included in Nothing OS 4.0? Major highlights include Extra Dark Mode, AI Usage Dashboard, Pop-Up View, TrueLens Engine, improved stability, and a redesigned UI.
- Is it safe to install the beta update? Yes, but beta versions can be unstable. It’s recommended to install them on a secondary device or after backing up your important data.
🏁 Conclusion
The Nothing OS 4.0 Open Beta Update is set to bring a refined user experience, transparent AI features, and performance enhancements.
With its Android 16 base, redesigned UI, and multitasking tools, it promises a significant upgrade for Nothing’s smartphone users. If you own a Nothing Phone (3) or Phone (2), this is an exciting time to experience what’s next for Nothing devices.