Nothing OS 4.0 Is Rolling Out: Full Release Timeline, Eligible Phones and What’s New

Nothing has begun the public rollout of Nothing OS 4.0, its Android 16-based update, and it’s now reaching eligible phones in stages. The company says the update will land first on its newest models before moving down the lineup, following weeks of testing through an open beta program.

Rather than pushing flashy visual changes, this update feels more like a polish pass. The goal seems simple: make daily interactions cleaner, more stable, and a little more thoughtful.

Which Phones Are in Line for the Update

The rollout starts with the Nothing Phone 3 series, followed closely by the Phone 3a range and the Phone 3a Pro. From there, the update should arrive on the Phone 2 and Phone 2a family, both of which were already part of early testing.

Other supported devices include the Phone 2a Plus and the CMF Phone 2 Pro. The Phone 3a Lite is also expected to receive the update soon. Older models like the Phone 1 won’t move forward, as they’ve completed their promised software cycle. For the Phone 2 and CMF Phone 1, this update marks their final major Android version.

What’s Changing in Nothing OS 4.0

Nothing is framing this release around a concept it calls “Flow,” which centres on making the interface feel more natural and responsive. You’ll notice quicker lock screen interactions, more consistent animations, and smoother transitions between apps.

A new Extra Dark Mode deepens contrast and makes night usage easier on the eyes. It may also offer small power efficiency benefits on OLED panels. The Quick Settings panel has been cleaned up too, shifting to a more condensed layout that feels less crowded.

Pop-Up View now handles multitasking more gracefully, allowing floating windows to be resized and shifted with simple swipe gestures. It’s a subtle change, but one that makes juggling apps a bit less clunky.

Essential Apps and Smarter Personalisation

Nothing OS 4.0 expands on the idea of Essential Apps through an evolved space called Nothing Playground. This lets users create and share small AI-based tools that act more like lightweight widgets than full apps. On higher-end models, you’ll be able to keep more of these tools pinned to the home screen.

The lock screen also sees more customisation, with new clock styles and layouts that tie into the brand’s minimalist aesthetic without overcomplicating things.

Camera Tweaks and Real-World Improvements

The Camera app gets a new Stretch preset, designed to subtly enhance photos by adjusting highlights and shadows for a cinematic feel. This isn’t about dramatic filters. It’s more about gentle correction so photos look better without extra editing steps.

Beyond cameras, the update brings better Wi-Fi stability, improved Bluetooth behaviour, and smarter background app management. Together, these changes aim to make the phone feel more consistent during everyday use.

How to Check for the Update

If your phone is eligible, you’ll receive an over-the-air notification once the update is ready for your region. Users already on the beta will automatically be pushed to the stable version.

If you want to check manually, head to:

Settings → System → System Update → Check for updates

It’s a good idea to back up your data and ensure your phone has enough battery before starting the installation.