These Nothing Phones Will Get Nothing OS 4.0 Based on Android 16 – Is Yours on the List?

Nothing is taking its time with Android 16. While Google’s newest OS build went live in June, the London-based smartphone brand is holding back its rollout until later this year.

But that delay may be more strategic than sluggish—Nothing OS 4.0, based on Android 16, is being positioned as a more refined update, not just a rushed adaptation.

When Will Nothing OS 4.0 Arrive?

Nothing has officially stated that its next major software release will land sometime this autumn. That puts the expected window between September and November 2025.

The Nothing Phone (3), which launched recently, is expected to be the first to receive it—even though it didn’t ship with the update out of the box.

In the weeks ahead, a beta program is likely to be launched for early adopters. This phased rollout allows the company to gather feedback, fix issues, and optimize the experience before making the stable version broadly available.

Who’s Getting the Update?

Nothing has drawn a clear line in the sand: its first-generation Phone (1) will not be updated to Android 16. The device launched with Android 12 and has since received three major updates—exactly what the company promised. Every other device released since is eligible for the upgrade, including CMF-branded phones.

Eligible Devices:

• Phone (3)
• Phone (3a) Pro
• Phone (3a)
• Phone (2)
• Phone (2a) Plus
• Phone (2a)
• CMF Phone 2 Pro
• CMF Phone 1

That leaves the Phone (1) as the only device in Nothing’s lineup not receiving the new OS.

What Features Will Nothing OS 4.0 Introduce?

Expect Nothing OS 4.0 to go beyond a simple Android 16 adaptation. One of the standout features may be lock-screen-based progress updates from apps like Uber, Zomato, and Swiggy, letting users track rides or deliveries at a glance without needing to open the apps. This builds on a wider Android 16 trend of turning the lock-screen into a real-time information hub.

The OS is also likely to support grouped notifications for less visual clutter and adaptive alert volumes—both aimed at improving the user’s relationship with notifications. While notification grouping is already present in older versions of Nothing OS, adaptive alert volume would be a new addition.

For users of the Glyph Interface—especially on the Phone (3)—the update might unlock more interactive and customizable glyph notifications. There’s also speculation about new widgets, glanceable glyph alerts, and mini-games baked directly into the UI, though it’s unclear whether older phones will benefit from the same level of integration.

Via