Nothing, keeping its promise, has begun rolling out the highly anticipated Nothing OS 4.0 update, based on Android 16, to users today. Following a lengthy beta testing period, this update, as expected, is reaching the Nothing Phone (3) first. The company announced that other Nothing and CMF devices will also receive the update, but has not yet provided a specific timeline for these other models.
Glyph and Camera Improvements Exclusive to the Phone (3)
New features exclusive to the Nothing Phone (3) include:
- Deepened Glyph Controls: Deeper “Flip to Glyph” controls have been added for the Glyph backlit interface.
- Enhanced Pocket Mode: A refined “Pocket Mode” prevents accidental taps.
- New Glyph Toys: Two new Glyph Toys have been added: “Hourglass” and “Lunar Cycle.” Mirror Selfie: The Mirror Selfie feature now allows you to save the original photo as an additional image in the Gallery.
Shiftdelete.netThe rest of the update includes general system improvements that will be shared with other Nothing and CMF devices:
- Real-Time and Interactive Updates
- Instant Tracking: Deliver trip, delivery, and timer information directly to the display and Glyph UI in real time.
- Broad App Support: Any app that supports Android 16’s Live Updates feature automatically supports Nothing’s Glyph Progress feature. This means Nothing can support a much wider range of apps than before.
- Visual Enhancements and Extra Dark Mode
- Refined Extra Dark Mode: Deepens blacks, improves contrast, and reduces system-wide power consumption.
- Calming Interface: Brings a calmer, more focused look to notifications, Quick Settings, and the App Drawer, improving comfort and visibility in low light.
- Wide Range: This mode is currently available for first-party apps like Essential Space and Launcher, with broader integration expected soon.
- Smooth Gesture and Haptic Feedback
- Deep and Haptic Response: Every tap, swipe, and gesture now responds with greater depth and tactile feedback, improving system motion.
- Vibration at Volume Points: Precise haptic feedback is added at the maximum and minimum points when adjusting the volume, so you experience a physical response even when not looking at the screen.
- Enhanced App Transitions: App opening and closing animations are smoother and more immersive. The home screen background shrinks and expands slightly, creating a sense of depth.
- Multitasking and Personalization
- More Widget Sizes: New 1×1 and 2×1 layouts for Weather, Pedometer, and Screen Time keep the home screen minimal while highlighting important information. Pop-up View: You can now open two floating apps at the same time and switch between them with simple gestures. You can minimize apps by swiping them down or expand them to full screen by pulling them down.
- Hidden Icons: Keep your layout clean by hiding any app in your App Drawer.
- As with every software update, Nothing OS 4.0 will be rolled out gradually. If your Nothing Phone (3) hasn’t received the update notification yet, don’t worry; it should arrive within a few days.
