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 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: