Nothing’s Android 16 update is spreading beyond the flagship. After debuting on the Nothing Phone (3), the stable Nothing OS 4.0 rollout has now reached two more phones — the Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro — bringing the same refreshed interface, AI additions and camera upgrades to the company’s more affordable models.
The update is rolling out in a phased manner, so it may not appear on every Phone (3a) or (3a) Pro at once. Nothing is limiting the first wave to a set of users and will widen the rollout once stability is confirmed. If you own one of the two phones, it is worth checking Settings, then System update, over the next few days.
Key Takeaways
- What is rolling out: Nothing OS 4.0, based on Android 16, is now reaching the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro after debuting on the Phone (3).
- Headline features: A refined visual interface with smoother animations, Extra Dark Mode, an AI usage dashboard, app hiding, pop-up multitasking with two floating windows, and camera upgrades.
- Camera upgrades: New presets, richer filters with intensity sliders, refreshed watermarks and artistic frames, powered by the new TrueLens Engine.
- Glyph changes: Flip to Glyph can now trigger Silent or Vibrate mode, and Glyph Progress works with Android 16 Live Update notifications.
- Who does not get it: The original Nothing Phone (1) has reached the end of its major software update cycle and will not receive OS 4.0.
What Is New in Nothing OS 4.0
Nothing OS 4.0 is the company’s first stable release built on Android 16, and it leans into the design language that made the brand recognisable — clean, minimal, dot-matrix style — while smoothing out the rough edges. App open and close animations have been reworked, and the interface gets a more cohesive look across the system.
The standout addition is the AI Usage Dashboard. When you use Essential Space, it automatically tracks how AI large models are being used, giving you a clearer view of what the phone’s AI features are doing with your data. Essential Space also gains a Playgrounds (Alpha) section, a home for community-built tools such as camera presets, Essential Apps and EQ profiles.
Extra Dark Mode is the other practical headline. It pushes the display darker than the standard dark theme, which helps in low light and can save battery on the phones’ OLED screens. Nothing says it also reduces eye strain during late-night use.
Multitasking, Privacy and Camera
The update adds a few quality-of-life features that owners have been asking for. You can now hide apps straight from the app drawer or home screen, search gets new scope controls, and pop-up multitasking supports two floating windows at once with gesture-based switching.
On the camera side, the TrueLens Engine brings new presets, richer filters with intensity sliders, refreshed watermarks and artistic frames. Live Updates now appear on the lock screen and through the Glyph Interface, showing ride information, delivery statuses and timers, with broader app compatibility thanks to Android 16.
For Phone (3) owners there are extra exclusives, including Glyph Mirror Selfie and two new Glyph Toys, but the 3a models get the core package: Flip to Glyph can now trigger either Silent or Vibrate mode, and Glyph Progress hooks into Android 16’s Live Update notifications so third-party apps can show real-time alerts on the lights.
Who Gets It and When
The rollout order so far is: Phone (3) first, then Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro from November 11. The Phone (2) and Phone (2a) lines are expected next — Phone (2) gets OS 4.0 as its final major update — along with the CMF Phone 2 Pro. The Phone (3a) Lite is planned for early next year, and CMF phones follow before the end of the year.
The original Phone (1) is out. Nothing has confirmed it has reached the end of its promised major software update cycle, so it stays on its current software.
If your phone is eligible and the update has not arrived yet, the phased rollout is the reason — Nothing staggers these releases and expands them over several weeks. Keep an eye on the system update screen rather than sideloading anything from unofficial sources.
The Bigger Picture
Nothing OS 4.0 matters because it shows how quickly a small brand can move when it controls both hardware and software. Android 16 only landed on Pixels in the summer, and within a few months Nothing has a stable build on its flagship and its mid-range pair — with the kind of visible, user-facing changes (Extra Dark Mode, the AI dashboard, Glyph upgrades) that owners actually notice.
For Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro owners, this is the biggest software jump since launch. Check for the update, and give the new animations and Extra Dark Mode a day to settle in before judging battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which phones are getting Nothing OS 4.0?
The stable update has rolled out to the Nothing Phone (3), and from November 11, 2026 it is reaching the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro. The Phone (2), Phone (2a) series and CMF Phone 2 Pro are expected next.
What is new in Nothing OS 4.0?
It is based on Android 16 and adds a refined interface with smoother animations, Extra Dark Mode, an AI usage dashboard in Essential Space, app hiding, two-window pop-up multitasking, camera upgrades through the TrueLens Engine, and Glyph improvements including Flip to Glyph modes.
Will the Nothing Phone (1) get Nothing OS 4.0?
No. The Nothing Phone (1) has reached the end of its promised major software update cycle and will not receive Nothing OS 4.0.
What is Extra Dark Mode in Nothing OS 4.0?
Extra Dark Mode pushes the display darker than the standard dark theme. It is designed to reduce eye strain in low light and can save battery on OLED screens.
How do I check for the Nothing OS 4.0 update?
Go to Settings, then System update, and check for updates. The rollout is phased, so the update may take days to reach your Phone (3a) or (3a) Pro even after it is announced.
Related
- Android 17 QPR2 Is Rolling Out to Pixel Phones a Month Early
- Motorola Opens Android 17 Beta Registration for 14 More Phones
- Google Is Replacing Gemini Gems With Skills — Your Gems Go Read-Only on November 17
Sources: Gadgets 360, Croma Unboxed, Ryan’s District, PCQuest
