Nothing
Nothing Phone (2) Performance After September Nothing OS 2.6 Update
The recent update Nothing OS 2.6, launched in September for Nothing Phone (2), has turned the interest of active users to whether it is performing better than its earlier version. Detailed review and tests unveiled quite a lot of improvements and modifications of the work of this smartphone.
The UI and system stability were the top things focused on in Nothing OS 2.6, but it was the performance adjustments that really seemed to catch tech-savvy people’s attention. One of the most disappointing things for the users anticipating some photographic improvements was surely related to no camera setup changes after this update.
Performance Benchmarks
Performance tests show subtle yet striking improvements. Scores in Geekbench after the update are: Single-core-1700, multi-core-4390. Comparing these with some previous benchmark results – 1701 for single-core and 4487 for multi-core, it may be concluded that performance remains largely identical, though multi-core results are slightly lower.
GPU and Gaming
The update has tended to improve the performances of GPU tests. In comparison, the fresh new updated scores were increased, showing a better score against the previous benchmark of the device. It simply means that graphics rendering and gaming have become better. In the Wild Life Extreme Test, it gave a stability score of 78, competitive yet still below the power that comes in some other high-end devices.
System Throttling and Heat Management
One of the critical areas tested was the CPU Throttling Test, which monitors performance under prolonged stress to simulate intense gaming or heavy application use. The test showed that the CPU maintains up to 75% of its max performance after the update-a slight improvement over previous scores. This hints at improved heat management and sustained performance under load, important for users who put great demands on their devices.
Beyond the numbers, though, the general user experience has improved: system animations are snappier, responsiveness is better, and interaction speeds are higher. This is an update that seemingly optimized the performance better to use the hardware in a better manner, hence making things pretty smooth across various applications and other tasks.
While the performance metrics have improved with the September Nothing OS 2.6 update for the Nothing Phone, it has retained some solid system stability with minor tuning in the UI and its responsiveness. The Nothing OS update might not have been a game-changer, but the gradual improvements promise to create a better user experience, making sure this Nothing Phone stays up to date in the ever-competitive market.
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: