Google released Android 16 in early June, months earlier than its usual timeline. However, other brands are taking longer to roll it out to their devices, and that also includes Nothing. The brand has been quick with past OS releases, but this early arrival of Android 16 perhaps didn’t give it enough time to finish developing its custom skin, Nothing OS 4.0. The good news is that Nothing has already announced when the update will start rolling out, and we also have a strong idea of which devices are eligible and what new features to expect. Here’s everything you need to know about Nothing OS 4.0.
When will Nothing release Nothing OS 4.0?
Nothing has announced that it will release the Android 16-based Nothing OS 4.0 later this autumn, which means anything between September and November. It’s safe to say Nothing Phone (3) will be the first to receive Nothing OS 4.0. Sadly, it didn’t come with Nothing OS 4.0 right from the factory, even though Android 16 arrived a month earlier.
After the Phone (3), the update will gradually expand to the remaining models, and if history is anything to go by, the rollout shouldn’t take long to complete.
Before the stable release in Q3, Nothing will likely release Nothing OS 4.0 beta builds to ensure the software is free from critical bugs. This will also give users early access to the software before the wider rollout.
Nothing OS 4.0 (Android 16) eligible devices
The brand has confirmed that the original Nothing Phone (1) won’t get the Android 16 update. All other phones are eligible for the upgrade. Here’s the complete list:
- Nothing Phone (3)
- Nothing Phone (3a)
- Nothing Phone (3a) Pro
- Nothing Phone (2)
- Nothing Phone (2a)
- Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- CMF Phone 1
- CMF Phone 2 Pro
Nothing promises three major Android updates to its smartphones, while its first flagship phone, Nothing Phone (3), promises five. This means the original Nothing phone has already reached the end of the road, as it was launched with Android 12.
What to expect from Nothing OS 4.0 and Android 16?
This major upgrade for Nothing phones will likely bring a progress-centric notification feature that will show instant updates from ride-share and food delivery apps directly on your lock screen and notification panel, reducing the need to open those apps. This is similar to iPhone’s Live Activities, Samsung’s Now Bar, and Oppo’s Live Alerts.
Android 16 makes notifications less cluttered by grouping multiple alerts from the same app and less overwhelming by reducing volume for rapid alerts from the same app. The former is already available for Nothing phones, but the latter isn’t. We might see that as well in Nothing OS 4.0.
The next upgrade may also include Android Protection, an array of security features that’s designed to protect users from online attacks, harmful apps, unsafe websites, scam calls, and more harmful activities.
The Nothing OS 4.0 will likely include more interactive widgets, mini-games, and glanceable notifications for Glyph Matrix (available on Nothing Phone 3) that’ll make it more useful and playful. However, we aren’t sure if Nothing will bring new changes to the Glyph Interface on older devices.
Nothing OS 4.0 will likely bring new features and enhancements across the UI. We’ll know more about them soon. Stick with us and don’t forget to regularly visit our Android 16 section for the latest updates.
The post Nothing OS 4.0 (Android 16) update: release date, eligible devices, and new features appeared first on Gizmochina.
