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.
If you’ve ever admired the Liquid Glass Dock Bar look on iPhones and wished to get the same on your Nothing Phone, here’s some good news — you can now do it easily using the Dock Walls app.
Dock Walls App – Play Store
This app lets you add a smooth, transparent dock background behind your apps, giving your home screen a clean and modern iPhone-like appearance. It works perfectly on Nothing Phone (1), Phone (2), Phone (2a), Phone (3), Phone (3a) Series & CMF Phones, and even other Android smartphones.
You don’t need to root your device or install a custom launcher — just download Dock Walls from the Play Store, enable the dock wallpaper, and adjust the transparency and color to your liking.
With this quick setup, your Nothing Phone will instantly get that Liquid Glass floating dock effect — sleek, minimal, and beautiful.
Nothing has officially unveiled its new smartphone — the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite. The company posted the launch details around 6:30 PM, revealing a brand-new design and some interesting features. As the name suggests, this is the “Lite” version of the Nothing Phone (3a), but the design and hardware are quite different.
Design & Build
The Nothing Phone (3a) Lite comes in two colors – Black and White, featuring a triple-camera setup at the back. The overall rear design is completely new, looking somewhat similar to the CMF Phone 2 Pro in terms of the camera layout. The phone includes a single LED Glyph light, unlike the multiple LED strips seen on the higher-end models. The back panel appears to have a glass finish, giving it a premium look.
Display
The phone sports a 6.77-inch flexible AMOLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and 3000 nits of peak brightness, offering the same quality as the CMF Phone 2 Pro display.
Performance
Under the hood, the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chipset, the same processor used in the CMF Phone 2 Pro. It runs on Nothing OS 3.5, based on Android 15.
Camera
The device features a 50MP main sensor with EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization), but no OIS. It also includes an 8MP ultra-wide lens and a 2MP macro sensor. On the front, there’s a 16MP selfie camera.
Battery & Charging
The phone packs a 5000mAh battery with 33W fast charging support. However, no charger is included in the box — users will only get the phone, a case, a charging cable, and documentation.
Storage Options
Two variants will be available:
- 8GB RAM + 128GB storage
- 8GB RAM + 256GB storage
The storage type is UFS 2.2, and it also supports microSD card expansion up to 2TB.
Software & Updates
Nothing promises 3 major Android updates and 6 years of security patches. The device also comes with an in-display fingerprint sensor and IP54 water and dust resistance.
Pricing & Availability
Currently, the pricing is only revealed in Euros, with no official information about the India launch yet. Based on conversions, the phone could be priced between Rs 19,000 to Rs 21,000 in India, sitting between the Nothing Phone (3a) and CMF Phone 2 Pro in the lineup.
Nothing has started rolling out the Nothing OS 4.0 Open Beta for the Phone (3a) series, introducing a major new feature called Lock Glimpse. This feature works like a lock screen magazine — it automatically changes wallpapers every time you wake the screen and shows a short description of the image. If you tap on it, it opens a related web page.
While the feature looks visually appealing, many users have expressed concern that it feels more like an advertisement than a functional addition. However, Nothing clarified that Lock Glimpse is optional — users can turn it on or off anytime through the phone’s settings. In future updates, users will even be able to use their own gallery photos for Lock Glimpse wallpapers.
Alongside this, Nothing announced that it will start including a selection of third-party partner apps and services in upcoming updates, especially on non-flagship devices like the Phone (3a), Phone (3a) Pro, Phone (2a), and CMF series. These pre-installed apps will include popular ones such as Instagram and may come with deeper integration for better performance, improved camera access, and sharing features. The company said this decision is aimed at improving user experience while keeping software clean and minimal.
Nothing’s co-founder explained that, as a young company, maintaining growth while developing both hardware and software from scratch is challenging. Including selected partner apps helps sustain revenue without increasing product prices, similar to what established brands like Samsung already do. Still, Nothing promises transparency, saying that all partner apps will remain minimal, removable, and clearly disclosed.