The London-based firm Nothing has begun distributing Nothing OS 4.0, its new layer based on Android 16Starting with the iPhone 3 and with a phased rollout for the rest of the catalog. The rollout is stable and follows several open betas, with a staggered strategy in Europe and, of course, in Spain.
This software upgrade isn't limited to cosmetic changes: the system focuses on integration between devicesAI features for creating simple tools without programming and a smoother experience. Among the most noticeable are Live Updates with support in the Glyph interface and an enhanced dark mode for comfort and energy efficiency.
Main changes and new features
The integration of live updates Android 16 allows you to see real-time routes, shipments, or timers both on the screen and in the taillights. Furthermore, Glyph Progress is recovered and enhanced, so compatible apps can display their progress with synchronized lighting without opening the application.
The new Extra Dark Mode It intensifies blacks, increases contrast, and extends to key elements such as notifications, quick settings, and proprietary apps (Essential Space, Launcher). This approach improves nighttime readability and, on OLED panels, can contribute to battery life.
Nothing has tweaked animations and haptic feedback to make everything feel more tactile and consistent. One notable improvement is... subtle vibration when reaching maximum volume, more immersive transitions when opening/closing apps and gestures with an elasticity that smooths everyday interactions.
Personalization gains ground with new widget sizes (1x1 and 2x1 for weather, steps, or usage time), clearer icons in the status bar, and two additional clock styles on the lock screen. The option to hide icons in the app drawer is also included, allowing you to maintain a clean home screen without losing quick access.
In multitasking, the mode Pop-up View It allows you to manage two floating windows simultaneously and switch between them with simple gestures (up to minimize, down to expand to full screen). The Phone (3) includes extras such as an improved Flip to Glyph, a more precise Pocket Mode, and new Glyph Toys (Hourglass, Lunar Cycle), as well as the option to save the original photo in Glyph Mirror Selfie.
AI, Essential Apps and Playground
Nothing introduces its creative environment Playgrounddesigned so that the user describes what they need and the system generates Essential Apps Automatically powered by AI. These mini-apps are placed on the home screen as functional widgets, without writing code or installing external tools.
Everything that is created or downloaded is organized in the new Widget DrawerA library that makes it easy to find, organize, and reuse widgets. The idea is to turn your phone into a customized space with simple and straightforward tools for everyday tasks.
To enhance transparency, the system adds a AI usage control panel (Settings > Smart Tools > AI Usage) which lets you see which features have used advanced models and when. There are also clearer indicators in the status bar to eliminate any doubt about background processes.
Playground starts in phase Alpha It also integrates community content: essential apps, camera settings, equalizer profiles, and even Glyph toys. It's a first step with the potential for third parties to contribute ideas, allowing Nothing to curate and improve the best suggestions.
Availability in Spain and Europe and how to update
The stable rollout began on November 21th at the NothingPhone (3) and will be gradually rolled out to other models in Europe. Availability may vary by region and carrier over several days, so it's not surprising that it won't appear for everyone at the same time.
According to the company's tentative schedule, the update will reach the Family Phone 3 (Phone 3, 3a and 3a Pro) and then to the iPhone 2, 2a and 2a Plusas well as to models from the associated brand CMF (CMF Phone 2 Pro and CMF Phone 1). He Phone (1) is excluded for having completed its cycle of great leaps in Android.
There are support nuances to consider: Nothing OS 4.0 It will predictably be the last major software change For the Phone (2) and CMF Phone 1, while the 2a range and the 3 series have more updates ahead. In Spain and the rest of Europe, the rollout will be done in batches to ensure stability.
To check if the update has arrived, go to Settings> System> System updates and check for new versions. If you were already in the open beta, you'll receive an incremental package; if you're coming from a previous stable version, the full build will be downloaded.
The version released for the Phone (3) corresponds to the firmware B4.0-251117-1909The incremental package is around 700 MB, while the full discharge is close to the 3 GBIt is recommended to perform the operation with WiFi and sufficient battery power.
Before updating, it is advisable to do a BackupAfter installation, temperature and power consumption may temporarily increase due to background optimization tasks; performance should stabilize within a few days, as is often the case with major version jumps.
With this launch, Nothing sneaks in among the first manufacturers to bring Android 16 to its phones outside the Google and Samsung universe, and it does so by betting on a layer that polishes the experience, prioritizes the transparency of AI and exploits the Glyph interface without turning it into an isolated ornament.
