Nothing is a brand known for its unique phones. With the release of Nothing OS 3.0, the excitement has grown. This new update is based on Android 15. It brings new features and improvements, which many users have been waiting for. Here, I will discuss Nothing OS 3.0 release date, eligible devices, and the exciting new features.
Nothing OS 3.0 Release Date
Nothing OS 3.0 was officially launched on September 24, 2024. The company revealed the release through its official YouTube channel. However, they didn’t provide specific dates for all devices. The open beta version will be available in early October 2024. If everything goes well, the stable version should arrive in December 2024.
The first devices to receive the update are the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, Nothing Phone (2a), and Nothing Phone (2). After these devices, the update will be rolled out to CMF Phone 1 and Nothing Phone (1). This phased release will ensure a smooth rollout.
Nothing OS 3.0 Eligible Devices
Not all Nothing devices will receive the Nothing OS 3.0 update. However, several of them are confirmed to get this exciting upgrade. The eligible devices for the Nothing OS 3.0 are as follows:
- Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Nothing Phone (2a)
- Nothing Phone (2)
- Nothing Phone (1)
- CMF Phone 1
It’s important to note that Nothing promises three Android upgrades for most of its devices. However, the CMF Phone 1 will receive only two major OS upgrades. The Nothing Phone (1), which was launched with Android 12, will be getting its final OS upgrade with Android 15. After this, no further OS updates will be provided for this device.
New Features in Nothing OS 3.0
The Nothing OS 3.0 update brings some exciting new features. Let’s look at these features in detail.
1. Nothing Gallery App
The Nothing Gallery app is one of the most anticipated features of Nothing OS 3.0. This app allows users to view photos more quickly. When a photo is tapped, it opens immediately, reducing the delay seen with Google Photos.
Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a big role in the Nothing Gallery app. The app automatically highlights key moments in your photos. It does this by enlarging the thumbnail of the most important parts of the image. It also uses AI image segmentation to separate important objects from the background.
In the future, the app will also include more AI features. Some of these include AI upscaling, Super Resolution, and AI image generation. Nothing has promised faster processing times for HDR and portrait effects as well.
2. Redesigned Lock Screen
Nothing OS 3.0 offers a redesigned lock screen that is highly customizable. Users can now choose from different clock faces. Some clock faces are inspired by Apple’s iOS, while others are completely unique.
One major improvement is the ability to expand the widget area. You can do this by tapping the widget area and enabling the Expand widget mode. This allows you to add more widgets to your lock screen.
3. New Animations
Nothing OS 3.0 comes with new animations to enhance the user experience. One of these is the fingerprint animation. When you press your finger on the fingerprint sensor, the dots around the sensor expand and move outwards.
Additionally, the charging animation has also been updated. When you connect your charger, the dots move from the bottom to the top of the screen. This gives a more fluid and attractive charging experience. The weather app has also received new dot matrix-style icons that can be animated.
4. Redesigned Quick Settings Panel
The Quick Settings panel in Nothing OS 3.0 has been completely redesigned. It now looks much cleaner and follows the unique Nothing design language. The icons for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth have been resized to make room for more icons.
Users can also customize the size of the tiles. For example, some tiles offer more options when they are enlarged. The audio tile, when increased in size, allows you to quickly switch between sound profiles, such as vibrate or mute. The active tiles are now highlighted in red, making them easier to identify. The brightness slider has also been improved for easier access.
5. App Pinning and Categorization
Nothing OS 3.0 makes it easier to access your favorite apps. You can now pin the apps you use most often at the top of the app drawer. This saves you time by eliminating the need to scroll through your entire app list.
The app drawer also introduces automatic app categorization, called the Smart Drawer. Inspired by iOS, this feature groups apps into categories based on their type. You’ll also see AI-suggested apps at the top of the app drawer, making it even easier to find what you need.
6. Redesigned Settings App
The Settings app has received a major redesign in Nothing OS 3.0. The menu now looks more organized, with smaller icons for options like Network & Internet and Connected devices. These icons are placed horizontally, giving the settings menu a more fluid feel.
Additionally, the text font has been changed from the Dot Matrix font to Roboto, which is more readable. This new design makes navigating the Settings app much smoother and easier for users.
7. New Widgets and Widget Sharing
Nothing OS 3.0 introduces new widgets, including a countdown widget. This widget allows users to track important dates, such as birthdays or project deadlines.
Another exciting feature is widget sharing. Users can now share certain widgets, such as fitness progress or screen time stats, with other people. This adds a social element to the widget experience, making it easier to stay motivated and track goals with friends or family.
Android 15 Features in Nothing OS 3.0
In addition to the features developed by Nothing, this update also includes some key Android 15 features. Let’s explore these features.
1. Private Space
Private Space is a new feature introduced with Android 15. It allows users to keep sensitive apps and data hidden from others. This additional layer of security is perfect for apps like banking or personal messaging apps. Anything you do inside the Private Space remains private.
2. Theft Detection Lock
The theft detection lock is another useful Android 15 feature. If someone tries to steal your phone, AI technology will detect it and automatically lock the device. Even if the thief tries to factory reset the phone, they won’t be able to use it without knowing the original Google account details.
3. App Archiving
Android 15 introduces the ability to archive apps without losing data. This feature is similar to offloading apps on iOS devices. You can uninstall apps you don’t use often while keeping their data. When you reinstall the app, everything will be restored exactly as you left it.
The Bottom Line
Nothing OS 3.0 is a significant update specially released on the 24 September date for eligible devices that brings many exciting new features and improvements. From the Nothing Gallery app to the redesigned lock screen, there’s something for everyone in this update.
The integration of Android 15 features adds even more value, making Nothing OS 3.0 one of the most anticipated updates this year. If you have an eligible device, you’re in for a treat!
