Nothing
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Getting Nothing OS 2.6 September Update with Camera Improvements
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus recently received the September 2024 security patch with the new update of Nothing OS 2.6. Surprisingly, this was not mentioned in the changelog. This update brings new features, camera improvements, and bug fixes to the Phone (2a) Plus.
You can identify this update by its build number, PacmanPro-U2.6-240827-2057-IND. The OS version number remains the same at Nothing OS 2.6, and the update size is 114 MB, which typically takes 9-10 minutes to install.
Nothing OS 2.6 September Update for Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
This is an update with a lot of new features and improvements, among which the feature of adding widgets for the batteries and pedometer directly on the lock screen and Always on Display. The Bluetooth toggle in Quick Settings has been made quicker for the convenience of user interaction. WiFi stability has been optimized to ensure that it will have reliable connectivity.
The Phone (2a) Plus camera has also been slightly improved. Startup speed is quicker so moments are caught in a very short time. Selfie quality has been optimized with better skin tone accuracy on the front camera, while the HDR effects have been refined for superior photo quality.
This update fixes a bunch of critical bugs: repeated sending of SMS messages, system crashes when connecting to Bluetooth earbuds, incorrect earbuds information. More, auto-rotate for Cloned Apps works even when the user has it disabled, Charging Assistant sends repeated notifications, Always on Display, and lock screen display problems when using Atmosphere Effect wallpapers. General system stability improvement is also included.
All over, this has been part of Nothing’s continued work in upgrading and fine-tuning the user experience with regular maintenance software releases and new features for users to keep the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus running seamlessly.
I have made a proper video for this update; you can look at it if you want.
Nothing is getting ready to release its next major software update, Nothing OS 4.0, which will be based on Android 16. Recently, the company began a closed beta test for the Nothing Phone (3). Many users have already participated, and the application window for this beta closed five days ago. According to an official post in the Nothing Community by team member Rob Godwin, the open beta for Android 16 on the Phone (3) will roll out in September 2025.
Other Nothing smartphones, including the Phone (3a) series, Phone (2), Phone (2a), Phone (2a) Plus, CMF Phone 1, and CMF Phone 2 Pro, are expected to receive the open beta between October and November. If everything goes as planned, the stable version of Android 16 could reach most supported devices by November 2025. However, the Nothing Phone (1) will not receive the update. For the Nothing Phone (2) and CMF Phone 1, this will be the last major software update they get.
The update will also bring several new Android 16 features. These include Advanced Protection Mode, which adds an extra security layer to prevent malicious apps from exploiting sensitive data, and Search in Photo Picker, which will make it easier to find images from your gallery or Google Photos. Another addition is Predictive Back Gestures for smoother navigation with visual hints.
One of the most exciting changes is the arrival of Live Updates, similar to iOS Live Activities, which will show real-time tracking information on your lock screen, such as food delivery status. The Material You Expressive design will also be improved, offering refreshed colors and themes for supported apps like Google Keep and the Phone app. It will have more features that will be introuced by Nothing team as well apart from Android 16 native features.
The exact stable release date for Nothing OS 4.0 has not been officially confirmed. However, based on the company’s hints, most supported devices could receive Android 16 before the end of 2025. The Nothing community is already buzzing with excitement, with many users sharing their wish lists of features they want to see in this major update.
Nothing has officially rolled out the Nothing OS 3.5 August update for the Nothing Phone (3). This latest update, sized at 189 MB, brings several new features, bug fixes, and performance improvements. Most importantly, it also includes the August 2025 Android security patch, ensuring the device stays protected with the latest security enhancements.
One of the main highlights of this update is the improvement to the Glyph Interface. Now, when you use the Glyph Mirror toy to capture a photo, a special Glyph Matrix-styled photo will also be saved. The company has also fixed an issue where ringtones would automatically switch to “Classic” in Generative mode. Additionally, bugs related to ringtone mode selection after phone data transfers and incorrect response to Telegram calls on the Glyph Interface have also been resolved.
On the camera front, the update adds support for AI SuperRes Zoom, now working between 20x and 30x zoom levels. The shutter response time after taking multiple shots has been improved, along with better autofocus and color accuracy, making your photography experience even smoother.
Apart from that, the update focuses on fixing several system bugs and improving the user experience. Some of the key fixes include the missing default search engine option in the app drawer and settings, and an issue in Universal Search where the second character would disappear. The Essential Notification border UI has been polished, and the cloned WhatsApp app can now open PDF files properly.
The update also improves the Snapchat refresh rate, ensuring smoother usage. Issues with 4K 60FPS video playback stuttering in the gallery have been resolved. The Adaptive Brightness now works more smoothly, and charging problems with certain third-party chargers have been fixed. In addition, system copywriting has been refined, and overall stability and performance have been improved.
This is a meaningful update for Nothing Phone (3) users, offering both functional upgrades and important security enhancements. Users are encouraged to download and install the update to enjoy a smoother, more secure experience.
Nothing has released a new update (v1.0.12) for its Essential Space app, bringing two exciting sharing features to select Nothing phones. The update is currently available via the Play Store for Nothing Phone 3A, 3A Pro, and CMF Phone 2 Pro.
What’s New in the Update?
The update (around 94MB in size) focuses mainly on improving sharing options within the app:
- Audio Recording Sharing Enabled
Users can now record audio using the “Flip to Record” feature and directly share those recordings with others. Previously, Essential Space only supported sharing images, PDFs, and Markdown files. The new update now supports audio file sharing in AAC format. - Image Capture with Smart Text Summary
Users can capture images using the Essential key in the camera app, and the app uses AI to summarize what’s in the image. For example, if a photo includes a Nothing phone and white earbuds, the app automatically generates a description. This summarized image can then be shared along with the AI-generated text.
UI & Functionality
While the user interface hasn’t seen major changes, the new features add a practical edge to the app. The shared content even includes Nothing branding and a “Your Second Memory” tag, enhancing the brand’s unique style.
Supported Devices
These features are currently live on:
- Nothing Phone 3A
- Nothing Phone 3A Pro
- CMF Phone 2 Pro
- Nothing Phone 3
Make sure your Essential Space app is updated to version 1.0.12 to access these features.