Smartphone maker Nothing has unveiled its new Android 16-based operating system, Nothing OS 4.0, highlighting a redesigned user interface, improved performance and new privacy-focused AI features.
The company showcased the update in an introduction video, presenting a more standardized look across the interface compared to its previous Android 15 skin. “Nothing OS 4.0 is said to offer a more fluid and intuitive experience,” the company said. The Quick Settings menu has been refreshed with cleaner tiles, and a new “Extra Dark Mode” extends the brand’s signature dark aesthetics.
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The update also includes optimizations for app startup and runtime, aimed at improving responsiveness and system fluidity. A new camera app and what Nothing calls a “smarter Gallery” are designed to enhance photo management, while privacy tools include a dashboard that shows when tasks are using large language models (LLMs). The software appears to integrate OpenAI’s Whisper technology for transcription.
Other improvements cover a more responsive lock screen, stronger connectivity and overall stability enhancements. Nothing OS 4.0 will be available through an upcoming Open Beta program before its wider release.
All of the company’s smartphones except the Phone (1) and CMF models are expected to receive the Android 16 update. Current devices such as the Nothing Phone (3a), priced at around $359 on Amazon, will be compatible.
Source: Nothing Community