Nothing Phone 3 Gets Android 16 with Major OS 4.0 Update, Other Models Wait Nothing has officially begun the rollout of its Nothing OS 4.0 update, headlined by the integration of Android 16, for its flagship Nothing Phone 3. This marks a significant software milestone for the device, bringing Google’s latest mobile operating system alongside a comprehensive suite of UI enhancements and new features. For owners of other Nothing and CMF devices, the wait will be a bit longer. The company has outlined a staggered release schedule, with most other Nothing phones expected to receive the update over the coming weeks. Devices from the recently spun-off CMF brand are slated for the update by the end of 2025, while owners of the Phone 3a Lite will have to wait until early next year. The core of this update is Android 16, providing the foundational improvements and new APIs from Google. However, Nothing has layered its own significant customizations on top with OS 4.0. The company promises a noticeably smoother and faster user experience, citing faster responses, cleaner visuals, and smoother interactions. Key areas like app transitions, the notification shade, and system-wide gestures have been redesigned to offer sharper tactility and a greater sense of depth. Visually, the interface receives a substantial refresh. Nothing has redesigned its first-party app icons with a cleaner, more minimalist styling, aiming for a home screen that feels balanced, modern, and comfortable. The status bar icons have also been refined, taking design cues from Android 16 itself. Users gain more personalization options with new lock screen clocks to choose from. A new extra dark mode has been introduced, designed specifically for reduced eye strain during nighttime reading, complementing the standard dark mode. The signature Glyph Interface on the back of Nothing phones is also getting smarter. A key new feature is Glyph Progress, which now integrates with Android 16s Live Updates. This means that real-time information for things like ride-sharing, food deliveries, and timers can now be visually synced across the phone’s screen and the LED Glyph lights, offering a unique, at-a-glance way to track ongoing tasks. The update is now available for Nothing Phone 3 owners. The full details of all the changes and new features can be found on the company’s official community release page. This rollout solidifies the Phone 3’s position as the current flagship in Nothing’s lineup, receiving priority software support.
