Nothing
Nothing OS 3.0 Beta Release Schedule Explained: Timing and Device Details
Nothing company has recently clarified the staggered release schedule for the highly anticipated Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta based on Android 15, which has left some users thinking about the timing and sequence. The update schedule reveals that Nothing Phone (2) will receive the beta in November, while Phone (1), Phone (2a) Plus, and CMF Phone 1 are set for December.
As a developing player in the smartphone market and the only new company to successfully launch phones in the past decade, Nothing Phone operates with a smaller, yet ambitious team. This scale necessitates making strategic decisions about deployment to maintain the high quality and pace of development their users expect.
Staggering releases allows Nothing to gather essential user feedback, which is integral to refining and optimizing the OS across different devices. This approach is not unique to Nothing, as it is a method even established manufacturers like Samsung employ to ensure quality and responsiveness to user input.
Why Start with Nothing Phone (2a)?
Contrary to expectations, Phone (2a) was chosen over the flagship Phone (2) to first receive the OS 3.0 beta. This decision was driven by the desire to maximize feedback quickly from one of their best-selling models. The insights gained from Phone (2a) users will be crucial in adjusting the beta for subsequent releases to other models.
The process is also influenced by Nothing’s reliance on chipset partners for Android updates, which are first passed through Google to the chipset manufacturers. MediaTek, in particular, plays a crucial role in optimizing these updates for their processors before Nothing can implement them. Opting to initiate the beta with devices powered by MediaTek allows Nothing to expedite the feedback process without waiting for optimizations on other devices.
Looking Ahead
While the staggered rollout might mean some users have to wait a little longer, Nothing is focused on scaling its capabilities and refining its processes to better serve its customer base in the future. They are committed to listening to user feedback and continuously improving the update process.
In a positive turn, Nothing is pleased to announce that the final release of Nothing OS 3.0 will be simultaneously available on Phone (2) and Phone (2a), marking a significant update for these devices.
This strategy underscores Nothing’s user-centric approach, ensuring that the final public release of Nothing OS 3.0 is robust, efficient, and enriched with user feedback, aiming for a launch by the end of the year.
Nothing has rolled out a new update for its Essential Space app (version 1.0.13), bringing some useful features and improvements for users.
One of the biggest highlights is the transcription feature, now available on the Nothing Phone (3). With this, users can get a complete transcription of their Flip to Record content, making it easier to keep track of recordings in written form.
The update also adds a Select All option within individual modules, giving users better control and convenience while managing their content.
Apart from new features, the update also focuses on improving the overall experience. It includes several bug fixes and stability enhancements to make the app run smoother and more reliable.
Nothing continues to improve Essential Space with regular updates, ensuring users get more value and a seamless experience on their devices.
Nothing has rolled out a new software update for the Nothing Phone (2a). The update is called Nothing OS 3.2 (September Update) and is now available to users. It comes with a download size of 158 MB and also includes the latest September 1, 2025 Android security patch.
One of the most notable changes in this update is the introduction of the Nothing Gallery app as the default photo viewer in the camera app. Users now get the option to choose between Nothing Gallery and Google Photos, but the company recommends using its own gallery for faster previews and smoother performance. This move highlights Nothing’s efforts to strengthen its in-house ecosystem.
The update also adds new features to widgets. Along with the Photo widget, users can now share the Pedometer widget (step counter) and the Screen Time widget with others. The update further enhances interaction by introducing a set of new nine stickers that can be used to react when sharing widgets, giving users more expressive options.
In terms of the camera, Nothing claims to have improved stability and performance. The camera app version has been upgraded, and users may notice slight differences in colors and sharpness, particularly in ultra-wide shots. These refinements are aimed at delivering a more reliable photography experience on the Phone (2a).
The update also addresses several system issues and optimizations. Stability for the pop-up view feature has been improved, and a bug that prevented PDF files from opening in cloned apps like WhatsApp and Telegram has been fixed. The Voice over NR (VoNR) icon has been redesigned for better clarity in the status bar. In addition, battery usage has been optimized when connecting smartwatches, especially with the CMF Watch 2 Pro.
Other improvements include fixes for font display issues in apps such as Instagram and Reddit when using the Inter font, along with general system performance and stability enhancements.
Overall, the Nothing OS 3.2 September Update brings useful new features, smoother performance, and important fixes. For Nothing Phone (2a) users, installing this update is highly recommended to get the best experience on their device.
I tested Nothing’s Essential Space on the Nothing Phone (3) and OnePlus Mind Space on the OnePlus 11. Both look similar on the surface, but the way they work feels very different. Let’s break it down.
Nothing Essential Space has a dedicated Essential Key button. Just double press, and the app opens instantly. From there, you can create summaries, reminders, or even voice notes. Everything is simple and fast.
OnePlus Mind Space works with a three-finger swipe gesture. It opens smoothly and also creates summaries and reminders, but you need to do more manual steps compared to Nothing.
The big win for Essential Space is that it syncs directly with Google Calendar. Add a reminder once, and it’s already there. You can even record voice notes or use the camera app to analyze photos and auto-generate descriptions.
Mind Space, on the other hand, shines with app-wise sorting. For example, it can organize summaries by WhatsApp, Chrome, or Twitter, which is quite useful. But adding reminders is manual, and sharing options are limited.
Nothing also adds cool exclusive features like Flip-to-Record, where you just flip the phone, hold the key, and it records with Glyph animations. Later, the AI auto-summarizes your entire meeting or talk into English text. Super handy!
Sharing is also easier on Nothing. You can export your notes as an image, PDF, or Markdown and send them anywhere. On OnePlus, you only get the delete option, which feels basic.
Overall, Nothing Essential Space feels more polished and feature-rich, while OnePlus Mind Space is still catching up. The app-wise sorting on OnePlus is neat, but Nothing’s extra features make it the better option for now.
Also did a video for this. You can give it a watch on YouTube: