News
Nothing OS 4.0 Android 16 Closed Beta Announced for Phone (3) Users
Nothing has officially announced the Closed Beta program for its upcoming operating system update — Nothing OS 4.0, based on Android 16. This early build is now available exclusively for Phone (3) users who want to test the latest features before the official rollout. The company is offering this early access as a way to thank its early supporters.
In this Closed Beta, Nothing is focusing on bringing Android 16’s core features along with a stronger and more consistent design system. The new UI changes are expected to lay the foundation for a more polished and cohesive user experience in the future versions of Nothing OS.
Since this is a beta version, users can expect bugs and certain features not working properly. Nothing encourages users to join this program and help them identify and fix issues before the Open Beta release in September 2025. It’s a chance for users to be part of the development process and shape the final software.
To be eligible, participants must use the Phone (3) as their daily device. They should also be willing to provide regular feedback to the Nothing team, maintain information security, and understand that this early build may be unstable. Testing is expected to run from August 2025 to early September.
Nothing also warns users that this Android 16 build is in its early stages of development. Some features may be missing or not function properly. It is strongly recommended to back up your device regularly while testing. More details and disclaimers can be found in the sign-up form.
If you’re interested in joining, you need to fill out the form linked below before 5 PM BST on Sunday, August 3, 2025. Selected users will be informed via email within a week, along with complete onboarding instructions.
Phone (3) Android 16 Closed Beta Sign-Up Form
OnePlus
OnePlus 11 OxygenOS 15 August Update Rolls Out with Split View Enhancements, BeaconLink, and Privacy Improvements
OnePlus has rolled out a new OxygenOS 15 update for the OnePlus 11, bringing a range of improvements, useful features, and the latest August 2025 Android security patch. The update size is 890.86 MB and focuses on making the phone smoother, smarter, and more secure.
The update enhances the overall user experience with smoother animations for opening, repositioning, and resizing floating windows. Multitasking also gets better with improvements to Split View. It is no longer limited to fixed ratios, and users can now adjust the ratio freely. When using two apps in landscape, the divider can be dragged to resize them according to preference.
In terms of notifications, OnePlus has simplified how alerts appear in landscape mode. Instead of taking over the full screen, banner notifications now appear in a minimal format to reduce interruptions. Users can also swipe down on a notification to open the app in a floating window, or tap a button to do the same, rather than switching to full screen.
The Private Safe feature has been upgraded as well. Users can now share images and videos stored in Private Safe, customize album covers, and sort or view media files by time. There is also a new option to add files directly under the “Other files” category, giving more control over stored content. When recent tasks are stacked, users can now lock or unlock apps simply by swiping down on the app from the recent tasks screen.
A notable addition is BeaconLink, which allows users to send text, images, and voice messages to nearby people without an internet connection. This can be enabled in Settings > Mobile network > BeaconLink.
Lastly, the update integrates the August 2025 Android security patch, ensuring better protection for the device.
With this update, the OnePlus 11 becomes more seamless to use, offering improved multitasking, enhanced privacy options, and a more distraction-free experience.
Google has rolled out a new update for its Phone app (Google Dialer), which is available on Nothing Phones, some OnePlus devices, and other Android smartphones. The update brings a redesigned user interface and a brand-new feature called Calling Card.
Redesigned User Interface
The latest version of the Google Dialer comes with a refreshed look inspired by Android 16’s design. The call history page, calling screen, and incoming call screen have all been updated. Users will now notice bigger buttons for the keypad, mute, and speaker options, making it easier to use. Animations have also been added to the calling screen, such as circular effects while a call is connecting, which stop once the call is answered.
Google has also introduced a new option for incoming call gestures. Instead of only swiping to answer or reject, users can now enable a single-tap gesture for quick response. This makes handling calls faster and more convenient.
Calling Card Feature
One of the most exciting additions is the Calling Card feature. With this, users can customize how their contact photo and details appear during calls. You can upload a profile picture from your camera, gallery, or Google Photos, adjust its position, zoom in or out, and even customize fonts and colors.
This feature allows each contact to have a unique look when calling, making the experience more personal and visually appealing.
Availability
Currently, the update has been spotted on Nothing Phone (2a) and is gradually rolling out to more devices, including other Nothing Phones and select OnePlus models. Since the update is still in beta, not all users will see the new features immediately.
To try the new design and features, users need to:
- Update the Phone by Google app via the Play Store.
- Join the Google Dialer beta program to access the latest version.
- Update the Google Contacts app for full functionality.
The new update is being rolled out in stages, so some users may need to wait a little longer before they see the Calling Card option and redesigned UI on their phones.
The CMF Phone 1 has started receiving the August Nothing OS 3.2 update. This update comes with version V3.2-250723-1800 and is sized at 252 MB. It brings new widget features, bug fixes, and several performance improvements.
One of the main highlights is the improvement to widgets. Shared widgets now support more sticker types, making them more fun and customisable. The Countdown widget has received a new Recurring option along with additional shape choices. This means you can set countdowns to repeat automatically. The Pedometer and Screentime widgets can now also be shared, adding more ways to interact and share information.
In the general improvements section, Nothing has added the option to set the Nothing Gallery as the default for previewing photos in Camera settings. The camera itself has also received stability enhancements for a smoother experience. Bluetooth call issues in Telegram, which affected some watches and earbuds, have been fixed.
The update also resolves font display issues in apps like Instagram, Subito, and a few others. On the security side, the August 2025 security patch has been included, ensuring better device protection. Finally, overall system stability has been improved, and performance has been optimised for a smoother user experience.
The August Nothing OS 3.2 update is rolling out gradually, so CMF Phone 1 users may receive it at different times depending on their region.