Nothing OS 5.0 Update Based on Android 17 Announced in India: Check List of Eligible Phones and New Features

Nothing has announced Nothing OS 5.0, its next major software update based on Android 17. The first open beta will be available for the Nothing Phone (3) from August 26, 2026, at 3:30 PM IST. The update introduces changes to the user interface, personalisation, widgets, Glyph features, performance and AI tools.

The company is expected to expand the beta to more eligible Nothing smartphones at a later stage. Since this is a beta release, users may encounter bugs or incomplete features before the stable version becomes available.

Nothing OS 5.0 Gets Redesigned Interface

Nothing OS 5.0 introduces an optional redesigned home screen with transparent widgets and a transparent search bar. An adaptive colour system can also take colours from the user's wallpaper and apply them to app icons, widgets and selected Quick Settings elements.

The update also refreshes the status bar, Settings, Camera and Gallery with updated icons, spacing and animations. The Gallery app gets new sorting options and a redesigned album view.

Nothing is also switching to the Geist typeface, alongside changes to text sizing, iconography, corner shapes and blur effects across the interface.

New Lock Screen, Widgets and Glyph Features

The update adds two new lock screen clock styles called Gooey and Micrographics, with options to customise clock colours.

Home screen editing has also been improved. Users can select multiple apps and widgets and move them together rather than repositioning each item individually.

Two new widgets are included. Collector lets users create visual collections using images from the Camera or Gallery, while Away Time tracks screen-free periods and provides weekly usage information.

Nothing OS 5.0 also adds a dedicated Glyph app for managing Glyph features, sounds, ringtones and schedules. A new Glyph Timer widget can be started from the home screen, with the rear Glyph lights displaying the remaining time.

Nothing OS 5.0 Adds More AI Features

Nothing is expanding its Essential AI features with the update. Essential Voice receives faster transcription and improved formatting that can distinguish between lists and paragraphs.

The update also enables audio capture from the Ear (3) case using SuperMic. Essential Space gains Smart Collections, which can suggest and organise saved content into collections.

Another addition is Essential Apps Builder, which lets users create AI-powered apps by describing what they want without writing code.

Nothing OS 5.0 Eligible Devices

Based on Nothing's software support commitments and its previous Android update cycles, the following Nothing and CMF smartphones are expected to receive the Nothing OS 5.0 update:

Nothing Phone (4a)
Nothing Phone (4a) Pro
Nothing Phone (4b)
Nothing Phone (3)
Nothing Phone (3a)
Nothing Phone (3a) Lite
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro
Nothing Phone (2a)
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
CMF Phone 2 Pro

The Nothing Phone (1) and Nothing Phone (2) are not expected to receive Nothing OS 5.0, as both have completed their promised major Android update cycles. Similarly, the CMF Phone 1 is unlikely to be eligible for the Android 17-based update. Since Nothing has not yet published a final compatibility list, these should be treated as expected rather than officially confirmed devices.

Android 17 Features and Other Changes

Nothing OS 5.0 also incorporates several Android 17 features. Notifications and Quick Settings are separated, with users swiping from different sides of the display to access each panel.

Quick Share gains cross-platform sharing through QR codes, allowing files to be shared between Android and iPhone devices without requiring an additional app. The update also includes clearer camera, microphone and location indicators, updated screen recording controls and revised location permissions.

Other changes include wider Dark Theme support, Noto 3D emojis, separate Assistant volume controls, higher-brightness HDR viewing and a redesigned Recents screen. Users considering the beta should keep in mind that pre-release software can contain bugs and stability issues.