Nothing OS 4.0 Based on Android 16 Begins Rolling Out to Nothing Phone (3): Full Features, Improvements & Complete Review

Nothing has officially kicked off the rollout of Nothing OS 4.0, its major next-generation software update based on Android 16, starting with the much-loved Nothing Phone (3). This new release brings the biggest design overhaul to date, enhanced Glyph functionality, advanced AI tools, revamped widgets, improved multitasking, and a long list of under-the-hood improvements.

Nothing OS has always stood out for its minimalistic identity and smooth performance. With version 4.0, the company is fine-tuning that experience with greater attention to detail. This article explores everything new in Nothing OS 4.0, how it improves daily usage, and why this update matters for Nothing users.

⭐ A Design Language That Feels Even Cleaner & More Polished

With Nothing OS 4.0, the company continues its tradition of delivering a clean and distraction-free interface. The new design update makes the operating system feel modern, refined, and more cohesive.

Updated Icons & Interface Refinements

Nothing has redesigned a large portion of its system icons, including:

• Quick-setting tiles
• Status bar icons
• Essential app icons
• Notification panel elements

These icons now feature cleaner strokes and uniform spacing, making the interface visually consistent. Even subtle tweaks—such as increased whitespace and smoother transitions—add significantly to the OS’s premium feel.

Improved Animations & Transitions

Users will notice more fluid animations when:

• Unlocking the phone
• Switching between apps
• Opening the app drawer
• Pulling down notifications
• Navigating system settings

These animations aren’t just cosmetic—they improve perceived speed and the overall responsiveness of the device.

Extra Dark Mode for Deeper Contrast

Nothing OS 4.0 introduces Extra Dark Mode, offering:

• Deeper blacks on AMOLED panels
• Reduced glare in low light
• Enhanced visibility of white text
• Lower battery consumption in dark mode

The new Dark Mode is particularly useful when using the phone at night or reading long-form content for extended periods.

Stronger Haptic Feedback

The update fine-tunes vibration feedback across the OS. Interactions like:

• Volume adjustments
• Button taps
• Gesture responses

…now come with crisp, precise haptics to improve tactile satisfaction.

🔆 Glyph Interface Evolves with Live Updates & Progress Indicators

One of the standout elements of Nothing smartphones is the Glyph Interface, and Nothing OS 4.0 supercharges it with fresh functionality.

Real-Time Live Updates with Glyph Progress

Nothing OS 4.0 integrates Live Activities—a new Android 16 feature—directly into the Glyph system. Now, the lights on the back of your device can display progress for:

• Ongoing food or parcel deliveries
• Ride-hailing arrival status
• Countdown timers
• Download or upload progress
• Music playback and timeline indication

This makes the Glyph interface more than a visual novelty; it becomes a fully interactive status indicator.

Lock Screen Integration

The lock screen now mirrors Glyph progress indicators, providing a unified and glanceable experience whether you’re looking at the screen or the back of the phone.

Why This Matters

These improvements transform the Glyph Interface into a functional, real-time information tool. Instead of frequently checking your screen, the Glyph lights give you essential updates in a subtle, intuitive way.

🧠 AI Features, Custom Widgets & Productivity Tools

Nothing OS 4.0 brings a new wave of AI optimization and smarter tools designed for daily productivity.

AI Activity Dashboard

With AI becoming central to many modern apps, Nothing introduces a transparency-focused AI Activity Dashboard. It shows:

• Which apps are using AI
• When background processes are triggered
• How AI influences battery usage

This level of transparency gives users more control, especially privacy-conscious users who prefer knowing when AI models are at work.

New Widget Customization Hub

The update expands widget creation options with:

• A dedicated widget design interface
• Customizable sizes (1×1, 2×1, 2×2, 4×2, etc.)
• A “Playground” mode for experimenting
• Community sharing for unique widget designs

Nothing’s widget system now feels more flexible and creative, allowing users to build a personalized home screen setup.

Enhanced Multitasking with Pop-Up View

Nothing OS 4.0 significantly upgrades multitasking:

• Two floating windows can run simultaneously
• Pop-up windows are smoother and easier to resize
• Apps can be dragged anywhere on the screen
• Gesture navigation works seamlessly with floating windows

This is particularly beneficial for multitaskers who juggle messaging, browsing, and apps side-by-side.

⚙️ Performance Boosts, Better Connectivity & System Improvements

Beyond the cosmetic and functional upgrades, Nothing OS 4.0 includes critical optimizations that improve overall performance and system reliability.

Performance Enhancements

• Faster app opening times
• Reduced animation lag
• Better RAM management
• Smoother gaming performance
• Reduced stutters during multitasking

These improvements help keep the system fast and responsive even with heavy usage.

Power Efficiency

Android 16’s new process prioritization combined with Nothing’s optimizations leads to:

• Better standby time
• Smarter background task control
• Improved battery longevity across daily use

Connectivity Fixes

The update improves wireless reliability with:

• Better Wi-Fi stability
• Stronger Bluetooth connections
• Fewer hotspot disconnections

Users previously experiencing wireless issues should see noticeable improvements.

Camera App Stability

Nothing OS 4.0 also includes:

• Faster switching between photo/video modes
• Improved focus speeds
• Smoother HDR and low-light processing
• Reduced app crashes

These improvements create a more dependable photography experience.

Quality-of-Life Enhancements

Other useful additions include:

• Ability to hide apps in the drawer
• Larger quick-setting tiles
• Simplified volume controls
• Improved one-handed use gestures

All these refinements contribute to a smoother everyday experience.

📅 Rollout Timeline & Supported Devices

Nothing began rolling out Nothing OS 4.0 to the Nothing Phone (3) starting in late November 2025. Other devices will follow in stages:

• Phone (2) & Phone (2a) → within the next phase
• CMF & budget models → near year-end
• Global markets → rollout may vary by region and carrier

As usual, updates are released in batches, so availability might be delayed depending on your location.

🏁 Final Verdict: Nothing OS 4.0 Is a Major, Meaningful Upgrade

Nothing OS 4.0 represents one of the biggest software evolutions in the company’s history. It brings a polished design, smarter UI, next-level Glyph functionality, advanced AI integration, stronger multitasking features, and substantial system-level improvements.

For Nothing Phone (3) (Buy Now from Amazon) owners, this update delivers a noticeably upgraded experience and is absolutely worth installing. For users of older models, the update will soon bring the same modern, unified, and refined OS experience.