Nothing has officially started rolling out the Nothing OS 4.0 stable update, which is based on Android 16, to all its latest smartphones. The update is now available for the Nothing Phone (2), Phone (2a), Phone (2a) Plus, Phone (3a), and Phone (3a) Pro. These devices are receiving almost the same set of features, with only a few minor differences depending on the model.

Update Size and How to Download

The update size varies between devices. For the Nothing Phone (2), the update size is around 3.26 GB, while the Phone (2a) (I was already on Nothing OS 4.0 Open Beta) receive an update of about 1.40 GB. As always, Nothing does not send notifications for updates, so users must manually check by going to Settings → System → System Update and tapping on “Check for Update.” The update may take some time to install depending on internet speed and device state.

Updated Welcome Screen After Installation

Once the update is installed, the phone shows a new welcome screen that explains the main changes. This screen highlights support for Essential Apps, the new preset system, updated clock styles, redesigned status bar icons, Extra Dark Mode, and other Android 16 additions. The overall layout feels cleaner and more refined than before.

New Hidden App Icon Feature

One of the most important additions in Nothing OS 4.0 is the ability to hide app icons directly from the home screen or the app drawer. Users can simply long-press an app and choose the “Hide Icon” option. Once hidden, the app moves into a protected folder that can only be opened after verifying the user’s identity. This makes privacy easier and faster compared to using Private Space.

Improved Search Customization

Universal Search has been improved and can now be customized according to user preferences. Users can decide if results from Contacts, Messages, Calendar, Files, or Gallery should show up when they search for something. This makes search results cleaner and more relevant.

More Widget Options for Home and Lock Screen

Nothing has added several new widget sizes to make the home screen more customizable. Weather, Pedometer, and Screen Time widgets now support multiple size formats. These widgets can also be placed on the lock screen, giving users better access to information without unlocking the phone.

Better and Smarter Quick Settings Panel

The Quick Settings panel now includes several quality improvements. The Bluetooth tile shows connected devices in a swipeable list, while the Wi-Fi tile now includes a Share option that makes sharing network details easier. Many quick toggles can now expand into a larger 2×2 layout. Pop-up view supports two floating apps at once, making multitasking better. In addition, Nothing has added subtle haptic feedback to the volume slider and quick settings actions, making the interface feel more responsive.

Visual Improvements Across the System

Nothing OS 4.0 brings fresh visual changes throughout the interface. Wi-Fi, network, and battery icons in the status bar have been redesigned. Nothing’s own apps, including Weather, Recorder, Camera, and Gallery, now have updated icons. The new Extra Dark Mode gives deeper blacks in menus and system apps, offering a cleaner look and reducing eye strain for users who prefer using their phone in dark environments.

Lock Glance Comes to More Devices

The Lock Glance feature, which shows small informative cards on the lock screen, is now available on the Phone (2a), Phone (2a) Plus, Phone (3a), and Phone (3a) Pro. It displays rotating wallpaper cards with quick information. However, Nothing has recommended leaving it off because it may sometimes show ads or unnecessary content. Still, the option is available for those who want to try it.

Upgraded Glyph Interface

The Glyph Interface has been improved in this update. The Flip to Glyph feature now supports switching the phone to Silent or Vibrate mode. The new Glyph Progress system works with apps like Uber, Zomato, and Google Calendar, showing progress updates on both the screen and the rear Glyph LEDs. This makes the Glyph system more useful in everyday situations.

New Camera Features and UI Changes

The camera app has also received noticeable upgrades. Users now get new camera presets, including the “Stretch” preset created with Jordan Heming. A new slider allows users to adjust the intensity of filters. Motion Photos now record slightly longer clips along with audio, making them more dynamic. The watermark interface has been updated, and the overall camera UI matches the design seen in newer Nothing devices. These improvements make photography more creative and fun for users.

Support for Essential Apps

Nothing OS 4.0 also adds support for Essential Apps, which can be downloaded from the Nothing Playground website. These apps appear as special widgets on the home screen or lock screen and provide quick access to useful features. Users can customize these widgets based on their needs.

Final Thoughts:

Nothing OS 4.0 brings a collection of meaningful improvements across visuals, performance, customization, and everyday usability. Features like hidden apps, better search, new widgets, camera upgrades, Extra Dark Mode, and enhanced Glyph tools make the update feel more polished. Overall, the update improves the user experience and adds more flexibility to how users personalize their phones.

Nothing has officially started rolling out the stable Nothing OS 4.0 update for the Nothing Phone (3). The update, based on Android 16, brings more than 25 new features, improvements, and UI changes. The rollout is currently limited to Phone (3), but other Nothing phones will receive it in the coming days.

New Status Bar Icons

The biggest visual change in Nothing OS 4.0 is the redesigned status bar icons. The Wi-Fi, mobile network, and battery icons now have a cleaner, modern look. These new icons also appear inside the quick settings panel and on the lock screen.

Nothing has also updated its app icon pack. Icons are now available in color instead of only black-and-white, giving the home screen a more lively appearance.

Improved Animations and Haptics

The update brings smoother app opening and closing animations and better app switching.
Haptic feedback has also been improved. Users now feel vibrations at 0% and 100% volume, and even when clearing notifications.

New Widgets

Nothing OS 4.0 adds several new widgets, including:

• Updated weather widget with one-by-one size options
• New pedometer widgets with step count and progress animations
• New screen time widgets in multiple sizes

These widgets give users more customization options on the home screen.

Lock Screen and Notification Improvements

The lock screen now shows a blurred wallpaper behind the PIN screen for a cleaner look.
Notifications also feel more responsive thanks to added haptic feedback and smoother swipe animations.

Hidden App Icons

A much-requested feature, Hidden Apps, is finally back. Users can hide any app icon directly from the app drawer and access the hidden folder after authentication.

Universal Search Upgrade

Universal Search now allows users to customize search results. They can choose whether search should show results from apps, contacts, gallery, messages, and more.

Major Glyph Interface Upgrades

Several improvements have been made to the signature Glyph system:

• Glyph Progress: Shows live progress for supported apps like Uber, Zomato, and Google Calendar
• Glyph Timer: Now available on Phone (3) with new controls
• Glyph Mirror: Saves a dotted “Glyph-style” photo along with the normal photo
• Always-on Glyph Toys: Adds a new “Moon Phase” toy and improves existing ones
• Glyph Matrix Pocket Mode: Prevents Glyph from turning on inside pockets
• Flip to Glyph Enhancements: Automatically enables silent mode or essential notifications

A shortcut button also now opens the Nothing Playground website to download new Glyph toys.

Extra Dark Mode

Extra Dark Mode is now better implemented across the system — in quick settings, app drawer, settings pages, and more — showing pure black backgrounds for improved battery life.

Intelligence Toolkit and AI Tracking

The update includes a new Intelligence Toolkit, which shows:

• AI usage details
• Models used (like Gemini or ChatGPT)
• Activity data for features like Essential Space and ChatGPT shortcuts

Better Quick Settings Panel

Changes include:

• Redesigned Bluetooth tile
• Now every quick settings tile large layout option
• New animations when toggling flashlight and other quick settings, which show text whether it’s turned off or on.

Pop-Up View Enhancements

Users can now open two apps simultaneously in pop-up view and switch between them quickly.

Essential Apps Support

Nothing has added support for Essential Apps, which can be downloaded from the Nothing Playground. Phone (3) supports up to five Essential Apps on the home screen, while other Nothing phones support up to two.

New Recorder App

You also get a new Recorder app with an updated UI, smoother animations, and support for Light Mode. Previously, it only supported Dark Mode.

OnePlus has officially launched its latest flagship smartphone, the OnePlus 15 in India. The phone comes with major upgrades in software, performance, camera, design, and battery.

OxygenOS 16 With New AI Features

The OnePlus 15 runs on OxygenOS 16, based on Android 16. The new software introduces several AI-powered tools for smoother interaction and better personalization.

There is deeper integration with Google’s Gemini AI assistant, allowing users to access saved information in Mind Space. OnePlus also added Plus Mind, a new feature that works like a smart, context-aware second brain.

The phone will receive 4 major Android updates and 6 years of security patches, similar to the OnePlus 13.

Display

The OnePlus 15 features a 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with very thin 1.15mm bezels.
It offers 120Hz LTPO refresh rate, which can go up to 165Hz for gaming. Popular mobile games like Call of Duty: Mobile, Brawl Stars, and Clash of Clans support native 165fps.

A dedicated touch chip gives the phone an impressive 3200Hz touch response, making it extremely fast and responsive.
The screen also includes 1-nit minimum brightness for eye comfort at night.

Performance

The phone is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset.
It supports up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB UFS 4.1 storage.

For heat management, the device uses the 360° Cryo-Velocity Cooling System, which includes:

• A large 5,731mm² vapor chamber
• Aerogel insulation to reduce heat on the surface
• White graphite for even heat distribution

Camera System

The OnePlus 15 comes with a triple 50MP rear camera setup:

• 50MP Sony main camera (OIS)
• 50MP ultra-wide camera
• 50MP periscope telephoto lens with 3.5x zoom and 85mm portrait support

There is also a 32MP RGBW front camera.

The phone supports 4K 120fps Dolby Vision recording, ultra-clear portraits, and a new DetailMax Engine for better clarity.

DetailMax Engine features include:

• Ultra-Clear 26MP mode: Combines multiple frames for sharper details
• Clear Burst: Shoots 10fps photos with anti-blur tech
• Clear Night Engine: Improves low-light photography with brighter and cleaner results

Design and Durability

The OnePlus 15 comes in three colors:

• Infinite Black – Matte frosted glass
• Sand Storm – Fiberglass panel with ceramic-grade coated frame
• Ultra Violet – Color-shifting finish from violet to sapphire

The phone is very durable with IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K ratings, meaning it can survive dust, high-pressure water jets, and water immersion up to 2 meters for 30 minutes.

Battery and Charging

The OnePlus 15 has a massive 7300mAh Silicon NanoStack battery, the biggest in any OnePlus phone.

Charging options include:

• 120W SUPERVOOC wired charging
• 50W AIRVOOC wireless charging

It also supports Bypass Charging, which powers the phone directly during gaming to reduce heat. The battery is designed to retain over 80% health even after 4 years.

OnePlus 15: Full Specifications

• Display: 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED LTPO, up to 165Hz refresh rate
• Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
• RAM/Storage: 12GB/16GB LPDDR5X, 256GB/512GB/1TB UFS 4.1
• Rear Cameras: 50MP + 50MP ultra-wide + 50MP 3.5x telephoto
• Front Camera: 32MP RGBW
• OS: Android 16 with OxygenOS 16
• Battery: 7300mAh with 120W wired & 50W wireless charging
• Other: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, stereo speakers

Pricing and Availability

• 12GB + 256GB: Rs 72,999
• 16GB + 512GB: Rs 79,999

The phone is available from November 13th, 8 PM, via:

• OnePlus.in
• OnePlus Store App
• Amazon India
• OnePlus Experience Stores
• Reliance Digital and other retailers

Launch Offers

• Free OnePlus Nord Buds 3 (limited period)
• Rs 4,000 instant discount with HDFC Bank cards (EMI)
• Upgrade bonus: Up to Rs 4,000 for OnePlus users / Rs 2,000 for others
• 180-day phone replacement plan & Lifetime Display Warranty
• 6 months no-cost EMI
• Jio postpaid benefits worth Rs 2,250
• Paytm Flights vouchers worth Rs 2,000