Nothing released the Nothing OS 4.0 Open Beta on Phone 3a and 3a Pro which is based on Android 16. Learn about all the new features, design changes, beta and the correct way to install or uninstall.
Android 16 Based Nothing OS 4.0 Open Beta
A New Phase for Nothing Users
You are in luck when you are an owner of a Nothing Phone (3a) or Nothing Phone (3a Pro). There is no official release of the Nothing OS 4.0 Open Beta, which runs on Android 16, which early users have an opportunity to test the latest features prior to the formal launch.
This beta release does not only see Android 16 under the hood, but it is also presenting new design changes, camera refinements, and a new polished experience that will remain minimalist like Nothing.
The attitude of nothing has never been concerned with hiding, being direct and doing it, and with this beta the brand will still be filling the fashion-speed divide.
What is Nothing OS 4.0 Open Beta?
Nothing OS 4.0 Open Beta is on the Android 16 platform and is aimed at customers willing to test new capabilities before the official release to people.
This version comes with:
- New user interface and iconography.
- Upgrades of the camera, with a new artistic preset.
- Optimizations on the system level to achieve a smoother performance.
The beta package can be downloaded and installed by the user by the Nothing Beta Hub provided they are on a current regular build, Asteroids-V3.2-251013-1406.
The beta enrollment will be closed on November 7 and interested people are provided to act promptly.
What’s New in Nothing OS 4.0 -Android 16?
Nothing has never been proud of design accuracy and software purity - and OS 4.0 is no exception and has a few new twists.
Redesigned Icon System
It has not rethought its iconography, making it rather more congruent with its minimalistic trademark. The icons throughout the interface have been made lighter, cleaner and more homogeneous, with a visual pleasing experience.
Stretch by Jordan Hemingway is a Camera Preset
There is a new preset of a camera that is called some Stretch which has been introduced in partnership with the photographer known as Jordan Hemingway. This environment makes the photos have a darker shadow and rich highlights whereby users are able to take richer and more cinematic photos using the stock camera application.
Lock Glimpse: Dynamic Lock Screen
There is a new feature named Lock Glimpse which rotates custom lock screen wallpaper in nine distinct categories that gives a visual variety of lock screens.
When it comes to displaying pertinent contents in your lock screen, you have a choice of letting it show or not.
The feature is disabled by default but can be activated and configured to the rotation of your settings. Nothing has an option to change these curated images to personal photos of the user in future updates.
Android 16: What Does it bring to Nothing OS 4.0?
Android 16 also has a number of under-the-hood changes that make this update smoother and smarter:
Enhanced AI Integration: smarter suggestions and contextual app predictions.
Better Privacy Control: Better permissions and security dashboards.
Performance Improvements: Quick apps: load apps faster, background processing: perform better, and battery optimization: maximized battery life.
Camera Improvements: Improved HDR processing and third-party camera API.
Custom Theming: Increased color palette options of wallpapers as well as icons.
No other company has smoothly implemented these new Android 16 features into its clean ecosystem thus OS 4.0 is among the lightest and most polished Android skins today.
Nothing OS 3.2 vs Nothing OS 4.0 - Quick Comparison
| Feature | Nothing OS 3.2 | Nothing OS 4.0 (Beta) |
|---|---|---|
| Android Version | Android 15 | Android 16 |
| User Interface | Minimal icons | Fully redesigned, lighter icons |
| Camera | Standard presets | New “Stretch” preset by Jordan Hemingway |
| Lock Screen | Static wallpapers | “Lock Glimpse” dynamic rotation |
| Performance | Balanced | Faster animations and smoother transitions |
| App Bundle | Core system apps only | Includes selected third-party apps |
| Battery & Heat Management | Stable | Beta phase may see minor heating issues |
Early Beta Warnings - Things You Should Know
This is a very early beta release, which means that some instability and high heat and battery consumption may be experienced during the initial install period.
Nothing has stated that the system may require time to re-index applications after being installed, which can provisional result in additional battery waste.
It's worth noting that:
There are pre-installed applications that could be deleted or switched off.
The core system applications will be locked until the stable version of the application is released.
Nothing is also first starting to add a small pack of popular third-party apps to some of its non-flagship products. They are completely detachable and included to make them stable and relevant to broader audiences.
Reactions and Community Buzz by the users
The smoother animations and camera responsiveness have been acclaimed by early beta testers of the Nothing Community forums. But they have also experienced minimal heating when it comes to playing games or spending a lengthy time in front of the camera camera - common to a beta period.
The new icons and wallpapers have also been pointed out by the user to give the OS a more fluid and balanced look.
All in all, the reviews to date have been favorable as the users admire the way Nothing has concentrated on design continuity and software consistency.
Installation/Uninstallation & Update
How to Join the Beta Program
- Get the Nothing OS 4.0 Beta APK directly at the source.
- Click on Settings - System - Nothing Beta Hub.
- Enter Beta – Tap Join Tap into the screen.
- In case there are failure of automatic redirection, manually check it in System Update.
How to Roll Back
In case of bugs or performance problems, or if you simply want to rollback, you may rollback to Nothing OS 3.2 with the rollback package.
But remember:
- The rollback requires factory reset (according to the rules of Google).
- Any data will be wiped out, therefore, make a full copy of it first.
What's Next for Nothing Users?
Provided that the typical update schedule of Nothing remains the same, we should see the stable release of Nothing OS 4.0 by the end of December 2025 or the first half of 2026.
It is rumored that the stable version may contain:
- AI-based photo filters.
- Improved Glyph Interface controls, and.
- Better customization of the apps drawer.
Nothing is distinctively establishing itself as a high-end but minimal Android experience brand - more focused on design homogeneity than features overstuffed with bloatware.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the version of the most recent Nothing OS?
The most recent release is Nothing OS 4.0 Open Beta, which is founded on Android 16.
Q2. Which models are supported?
Nowadays, the Nothing Phone (3a) and Nothing Phone (3a Pro) are compatible.
Q3. What is the nothing OS 4.0 Beta?
Install Beta APK - Open settings - system -Nothing beta hub -enroll -install update.
Q4. Is it possible to downgrade to the stable OS 3.2?
Yes, you can rollback, but it will restore your phone to factory. Backup your data first.
Q5. When is the stable Android 16 update of Nothing phones?
Projected implementation: December 2025 - January 2026.
Concluding Remarks
Nothing OS 4.0 allows the brand to keep developing its distinct identity of minimal, but modern, experimental, but stable. This is one of the smoothest beta experiences that can be had currently, with the smartness of Android 16 and the simplicity of the design provided by Nothing.
Nothing OS 4.0 Beta is a beta version that you can consider availing in case you are an early adopter who likes trying the new features.
Only to remember that it is always best to save your data before plunging in!
Official : Nothing OS Beta Page - Visit the official Nothing Tech blog for beta announcements and changelogs.
Learn more about the features of Android 16 here
Please remember to check out our Technology Section for further news on beta rollouts, Android insights, and smartphone updates.
Everything from OS assessments and feature analyses to in-depth comparisons of upcoming Android smartphones and the newest advancements in smartphones can be found there.
Get your daily fix of tech news that's ready for the future, where you can stay ahead of every launch, leak, and software update.
Tags
Technology