Nothing OS 4.0 Announced: Fresh Design, Extra Dark Mode, and AI Features

Nothing has officially announced Nothing OS 4.0, its upcoming major update based on Android 16. The company shared the first look in a teaser video, highlighting new design elements, smarter features, and performance improvements. The update will first be available through an open beta program before a wider rollout.

Refined Design and Interface Changes

One of the biggest highlights of Nothing OS 4.0 is its refreshed design. The update brings new clock styles for the lock screen, redesigned buttons and toggles, and a more organized quick settings panel. Widgets are now resizable, and users can choose larger 2×2 formats for easier access.

The About Phone page has also been revamped, with a cleaner layout, bigger information boxes, and a more polished look.

Extra Dark Mode

A much-requested Extra Dark Mode has finally been added. This deeper dark theme not only enhances the user experience with better contrast but also helps reduce eye strain and improve battery efficiency.

Smarter Multitasking with Pop-up View

The new Pop-up View feature makes multitasking easier. Users can now pin and use two floating app icons on the screen, allowing quick switching between tasks without breaking the workflow.

Revamped Recorder App and Camera Improvements

Nothing OS 4.0 introduces a new recorder app with a redesigned user interface. In addition, the camera experience has been upgraded with creative presets, better controls, and a smarter gallery. This is powered by the company’s Two Lens Engine, which promises improved photography results.

AI Features and Whisper in Essential Space

AI plays a bigger role in this update. A new feature called Whisper is coming to the Essential Space app, showing how AI models are being used in real time. Users will get an AI usage dashboard that makes background activity more transparent and easier to manage.

Performance and System Improvements

Nothing OS 4.0 also focuses on overall performance. The update improves app startup speeds, system smoothness, lock screen responsiveness, and brightness adjustments. Connectivity is also stronger, with better Wi-Fi and Bluetooth stability.

Availability

The open beta of Nothing OS 4.0 will begin soon, starting with the Nothing Phone (3) series. Later, the update will expand to the Nothing Phone (3a, 3a Pro) and the Phone (2) and Phone 2a series. CMF Phone 1 and CMF Phone 2 Pro will be getting direct stable Nothing OS 4.0 update.

With this release, Nothing aims to deliver a software experience that feels more polished, modern, and user-friendly, while staying true to its minimalist design philosophy.