Apart from having a unique look, Nothing phones are known for offering an amazing software experience. Indeed, Nothing OS 2.5 was regarded as one of the finest custom skins built on Android 14. Therefore, there are high hopes for Nothing OS 3.0, which will be based on Android 15.
The company has revealed the eagerly awaited Nothing OS 3.0, providing information about both the beta and stable releases, along with the new features and enhancements it will include.
Release Timeline for Nothing OS 3.0
Nothing OS 3.0, which is based on Android 15, was officially launched on September 24 through the firm’s YouTube channel. Although there wasn’t a detailed roadmap provided, Nothing confirmed that the open beta will be available in early October 2024, and if all goes well, the stable version should start rolling out in December.
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, Nothing Phone (2a), and Nothing Phone (2) are expected to be the first devices to receive the Android 15-based Nothing OS 3.0 update, followed by CMF Phone 1 and the Nothing Phone (1).
Devices Eligible for Nothing OS 3.0
- Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Nothing Phone (2a)
- Nothing Phone (2)
- Nothing Phone (1)
- CMF Phone 1
Nothing has promised three Android upgrades for all its smartphones, except the CMF Phone 1, which is limited to two OS upgrades. The Nothing Phone (1) is the oldest device on this list, originally released with Android 12. Therefore, Android 15 will be its last OS update.
New Features in Nothing OS 3.0
Here’s a look at the new features and enhancements coming with Nothing OS 3.0:
- Nothing Gallery App
The introduction of the Nothing Gallery app is confirmed in Nothing OS 3.0. Users had been asking for it for quite a while, and the company finally heeded their requests. As demonstrated during the launch, the new Nothing Gallery app opens a photo immediately when the user taps on it. The app employs artificial intelligence (AI) to identify important moments in your photos, showcasing them in larger thumbnails for easy visibility. It also features AI image segmentation to spotlight the main object and separate it from the rest of the image in thumbnails, making it simpler to locate.Nothing acknowledges the lengthy transition time from Camera to Google Photos. The transition to the Nothing Gallery is said to be 1.4 seconds quicker, and HDR and portrait effects processing will be up to 25% faster. More automatic AI image categorization, natural language search, and various other AI features will also be added in the future, including AI upscaling, Super Resolution, and AI image generation capabilities. - Customizable Lock Screen
The lock screen in Nothing OS 3.0 offers many more customization options. You can choose from various clock faces, some inspired by Apple’s iOS, while others are entirely original. Users can tap the widget area and enable Expand widget mode to add additional widgets to the expanded area. - New Animation Features
Nothing OS 3.0 introduces some exciting animations. The fingerprint animation is now enhanced, with dots that move and expand outward when your finger is pressed down. The charging animation is also updated. Utilizing the dot design language that Nothing is known for, the dots shift from the bottom to the top when you plug in the charger, creating a more visually appealing effect than before.Additionally, the Weather app now features an animated icon in a dot matrix style. - Revamped Quick Settings
Nothing OS 3.0 significantly upgrades the Quick Settings panel. It appears cleaner than in the past and aligns with Nothing’s design language. Initially, the sizes of the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth icons have been noticeably reduced to fit more icons. OS 3.0 allows users to adjust tile sizes, similar to home screen widgets. Some tiles present extra options when enlarged; for instance, the 1×2 audio tile enables you to set the sound profile to vibrate or mute.Active tiles will now turn red, allowing for quick differentiation from inactive ones. While it’s a subtle change, the red accent enhances the overall aesthetic. Lastly, a brightness slider has been included. - App Pinning and Smart Categorization
Nothing OS 3.0 introduces practical changes to the app drawer for faster access to your essential apps. It now allows you to pin your favorite apps at the top of the app drawer, potentially saving you a significant amount of time. Another handy feature in Nothing OS 3.0 is app categorization, referred to as Smart Drawer. Drawing inspiration from iOS, this feature organizes your apps into various categories automatically.You’ll find a row with four AI-suggested apps, followed by categorized app groups. - Redesigned Settings Menu
The Settings app in Nothing OS 3.0 has a fresh new look. The Network & Internet and Connected devices sections have been resized and arranged horizontally, similar to other options, which adds a sense of fluidity to the menu. Each option now has a small gap separating them. Another modification sees the Dot Matrix text replaced with Roboto, a highly readable font, applied throughout the system. - New Widgets and Sharing Options
Nothing phones currently have over 20 widgets, and the company plans to expand this range further, allowing users to access more information without opening the apps. In Nothing OS 3.0, a new countdown widget is introduced. This widget allows you to track time leading up to a specific date or to display the year’s progress, or even your birthday.The new software also features Shared Widgets, enabling you to share widgets with others. It’s a fun way to show your fitness progress or screen time with someone else.
Potential Android 15 Features
The above features are those developed by Nothing's team; however, the next upgrade may include additional features as part of Android 15. Nothing hasn't disclosed which features from Android 15 will be included in the upcoming upgrade, but some possibilities are:
- Private Space
Android 15 introduces a Private Space feature that helps keep your data and apps secure from others, adding an extra layer of privacy. Activities within the Private Space are hidden from other users on the device, making it a safe zone for sensitive apps like dating or financial ones. - Theft Detection Lock
This feature is especially useful in Android 15, designed to prevent data theft in case someone tries to snatch your phone. Using Google’s AI, the theft detection lock identifies when your phone has been taken from you and locks the device automatically to safeguard your information. If the thief manages to perform a factory reset, they can’t activate the device again without the Google account credentials used initially. - App Archiving
Android 15 will facilitate the uninstallation of unnecessary apps while keeping user data intact. This is akin to offloading apps on iPhones, ensuring no data loss; users can resume where they left off once they reinstall or unarchive the app. Android already offers app archiving through the Google Play Store, but Android 15 will integrate this feature at the OS level, allowing users to archive and restore apps, even those installed outside the Google Play Store.
Nothing OS 3.0 appears to be an exciting update. What new feature(s) are you most excited about? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!
