Nothing
Nothing OS 3.0: New Lock Screen, Quick Settings Panel, Release Date, and More
Nothing OS has evolved from just any other Android UI to one of the most unique and feature-rich interfaces currently found in the smartphone space. Backed by the runaway success of Nothing OS 2.5 in 2023, there has been much anticipation for Nothing OS 3.0, due later this year.
Nothing OS 3.0 Release Date and Expectations
Nothing OS 2.5 was released in December, which means two months after the stable rollout of Android 14. With Google launching Android 15 with its Pixel 9 series this August, expectations are that Nothing OS 3.0 will follow this October if the previous schedule holds.
In May, Nothing released the Android 15 Developer Preview Beta 1 for the Phone (2) and (2a). Very soon, the updates for the next beta version will be known. Nothing is notorious for their really fast adoption of new Android updates; however, with such massive UI changes and additions of many features, testing periods could get longer.
Device Compatibility
All the Nothing devices launched till now are eligible for three years of major updates, except the CMF Phone 1 that will have two. Essentially, this means all existing Nothing phones will get Nothing OS 3.0 support. Here’s the update list:
- Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Nothing Phone (2a)
- Nothing Phone (2)
- Nothing Phone (1)
- CMF Phone 1
Nothing Phone (2a) and (2a) Plus are the newest devices; it is going to reach them first, probably in the September or October month, before reaching other models.
Nothing OS 3.0 Expected Features
1. New Lock Screen Customization:
New clock styles and customizations for widgets are coming. The users can now make the clock face small to see more notifications. This update features mid-aligned clocks with various design elements, somewhat similar to how Apple does its lock screen.
2. Revamped Quick Settings Panel
Nothing OS 3.0 will pack a long-delayed refresh to the Quick Settings panel that’s finally coming. In this new design, tiles would appear smaller and more discreet, turning red when toggled on, further improving the look of the interface and sticking way closer to Nothing’s aesthetic language.
3. Interactive Dot Animations:
Not much information is available about the above-mentioned animations, but they can be used to add a bit of life and interaction to app icons and widgets. For instance, a widget that adjusts the screen brightness could implement some sort of animation that will demonstrate, in an eye-pleasing way, precisely by how much the brightness has changed.
4. Community and Gallery Apps:
Nothing is building standalone apps for its community and gallery and move away from purely Web-based interfaces to far more unified mobile experiences.
5. Private Space:
Another massive feature of Android 15 that might make its way onto Nothing OS 3.0 is Private Space. This feature enables the hiding of apps, locking, and even cloning of apps for better privacy and convenience. Carl Pei also asked about these features being added to Nothing OS for its followers on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Nothing also recently announced the Android 15 closed beta program for Nothing Phone (2a). It will be based on Nothing OS 3.0 with new features and improvements. What are some of the features you’d like to see in the UI? Let us know in the comments.
Nothing has started rolling out the new Nothing OS 4.0 Open Beta 2 update for its latest devices — the Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro. The update size is around 55.44 MB and focuses mainly on bug fixes and performance improvements rather than introducing new features.
According to a post on the Nothing Community forum, the update improves camera preview accuracy. Now, photos taken at certain zoom levels will more closely match what users see in the viewfinder. This helps ensure more accurate photo results.
In addition, the stability of Essential Apps has been optimized for a smoother experience. Many users had reported high memory usage notifications earlier — Nothing claims to have addressed this issue with the latest update.
However, there are no new features added in this beta version. Users can expect bigger visual changes, including new status bar icons, in the upcoming stable Nothing OS 4.0 update, which is expected to arrive by the end of November 2025.
After installation, users reported that the phone performs normally with no connectivity or performance issues. Features like calling, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth continue to work smoothly.
Nothing fans are now eagerly waiting for the Nothing OS 4.0 stable release, hoping for more visual changes and added functionality in the next update.
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.