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Nothing unveils Nothing OS 4.0 powered by Android 16
After several teasers, Nothing has officially announced Nothing OS 4.0, its next major software update built on Android 16. The company says the release focuses on a cleaner, more functional experience — keeping the brand's minimalist aesthetic while introducing practical refinements across the interface and core apps.
Visual refresh and Quick Settings overhaul
Nothing OS 4.0 introduces a reworked Quick Settings panel with less visual clutter and new, wider tiles for frequently used toggles. Dark mode has been retooled with higher contrast for a sleeker, more readable look at night, and the screen brightness slider now reacts more smoothly. Additional Always-on Display (AOD) options expand customization for glanceable information.
Improvements for multitasking, camera and gallery
Multitasking receives a subtle but useful upgrade: the update supports two floating app icons to speed up app switching and split workflows. App optimization under the hood aims to deliver snappier launches and more consistent performance. Camera and gallery apps get refreshed interfaces — the camera UI is simplified for quicker access to settings, while the gallery becomes more intelligent with presets, extra controls and a clearer layout.
New AI dashboard and release roadmap
A new dashboard tracks AI usage, letting users monitor how and when on-device AI features are being accessed. Nothing positions this as part of a broader effort to give users clearer control and visibility over modern smartphone functions.
Key highlights:
- Redesigned Quick Settings with wider tiles
- Enhanced dark mode and more AOD choices
- Two floating app icons for faster multitasking
- App optimization for smoother launches
- Updated camera and smarter gallery
- AI usage dashboard for visibility
Nothing OS 4.0 open beta is listed as "coming soon." The Nothing Phone (3) is expected to be first in line, with older Nothing and CMF partner devices to follow. The company has confirmed the Phone (1) will not receive this update as it has reached the end of its support lifecycle.
This update aligns with current UX trends toward simplified interfaces and performance-focused refinements, offering practical benefits for everyday use without diverging from Nothing's signature design language.
Source: gsmarena
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