After months of anticipation, Nothing has officially rolled out the stable version of Nothing OS 3.0, based on Android 15, for the Nothing Phone (2) and Nothing Phone (2a). This new update is designed to provide users with a refined experience, packed with new features and customizations. Here’s everything you need to know about this major software release.
Update Availability
The update, approximately 280 MB in size, is now available to users who were part of the open beta testing. For those on older versions like Nothing OS 2.6, the full zip file is expected to be provided soon. If you haven’t received the OTA update, check manually by navigating to the software information section in settings.
Nothing OS 3.0: Key Features and Improvements
1. Customizable Lock Screen
One of the most exciting updates is the ability to customize your lock screen:
- Clock Styles: Six unique clock faces have been added. While you cannot customize the colors or additional elements like date and weather, the new designs include both compact and full-screen options.
- Expanded Widget Area: Users can now expand the widget area to display more widgets by removing the clock. This feature allows up to 16 small widgets or 4 larger ones on the lock screen.
- AI-Based Wallpaper Studio: Generate personalized wallpapers using Nothing’s Wallpaper Studio, save them to your internal storage, and apply them directly.
- Shortcuts: Lock screen shortcuts are now customizable, providing quick access to frequently used functions.
- Always-On Display Options: Two new modes, “Tap to Show” and “Always Enable,” have been added, making the feature more versatile.
2. Enhanced Control Center
The Control Center has received a major revamp:
- New Design: The brightness slider is now thicker and positioned at the bottom for easier access. A toggle for auto-brightness has been added to the slider for quick adjustments.
- Widget Resizing: Users can resize quick-setting tiles, and the resizing animation is now smoother with fewer frame drops.
- Reset Layout Option: If you mess up your quick-setting arrangement, you can reset it to default.
3. Smart App Drawer
Nothing OS 3.0 introduces an AI-powered Smart App Drawer:
- Automatic Categorization: Apps are grouped into folders like Social, Utilities, Entertainment, and Multimedia.
- Custom Pinning: Users can manually pin apps to the top for quick access.
- Choice Between Styles: You can choose between the default drawer style or the new smart version.
4. Improved Pop-Up View
Multitasking has been made more convenient with the updated pop-up view:
- Resizing and Positioning: Drag and resize pop-up windows to any part of the screen.
- Pinning Pop-Ups: Pin a pop-up window for easy access later.
- Notification Pop-Up: Drag a notification to instantly open it in a pop-up view.
5. Revamped Settings Page
The settings menu has been completely redesigned:
- Profile Integration: Add a profile picture by signing in with your Nothing or Google account.
- Category Segregation: Settings are now neatly categorized, making it easier to navigate.
6. New Animations
- Boot Animation: A fresh dotted animation welcomes you when the phone starts.
- Fingerprint Animation: Unlocking now features a new dynamic animation.
- Charging Animation: A sleek dot-style animation appears when charging the device.
7. Stock Android 15 Features
Nothing OS 3.0 brings several Android 15 features to the table:
- Partial Screen Recording: Record only a single app instead of the entire screen. Once you leave the selected app, recording automatically stops.
- App Archive: Free up storage space by archiving apps. Archived apps retain user data, so when restored, there’s no need to log in again.
- Predictive Gestures: Enabled by default, this feature enhances navigation for supported apps, especially Google’s stock apps.
- Authentication Requirements: Changing screen timeout or USB file transfer settings now requires authentication for added security.
8. New Features in Widgets
Widgets have seen several improvements:
- Widget Selection: Swipe left or right to choose widgets from Nothing or other apps.
- Add with a Tap: No need to drag widgets onto the home screen anymore—simply tap to add them.
- Separate Sections: Widgets are now categorized for better organization.
9. Additional Features
- Experimental Fonts: Access new font styles like Roboto and Enter in the experimental settings menu.
- Improved Performance: UI transitions and animations are now smoother, with fewer lags observed compared to the beta version.
What’s Missing?
Although the update is feature-packed, a few things are still in beta:
- Nothing Gallery App: This app includes AI-powered features like subject cutouts but remains in beta.
- Widget Sharing: Currently limited to photo widgets in square shapes, with sharing and reacting options still being tested.
Final Thoughts
Nothing OS 3.0 is a significant step forward for the Nothing ecosystem, combining sleek design with practical functionality. From lock screen customizations to AI-powered features, the update offers a richer experience for users.
Let us know in the comments which feature you’re most excited about. Stay tuned for in-depth reviews of the Nothing Phone (2) and Nothing Phone (2a) running this latest OS!
YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON– Telegram, Twitter, WhatsApp, and Google News
