According to Digital Trends, London-based smartphone maker Nothing has started rolling out its Nothing OS 4.0 software, based on Google’s Android 16, to its budget Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro models. This is a significant jump from the previous Nothing OS 3 based on Android 15. The update includes a new AI usage dashboard for privacy, system-wide optimizations for speed, and redesigned app icons. Features like “Flip to Record” for the camera and an “Extra dark mode” are also part of the package. The rollout is initially limited to a small group of users, with a broader release planned once Nothing confirms stability. You can see the full, detailed changelog for yourself over on the Nothing community forum.
The Budget Android Update Game
Here’s the thing: getting a major Android version update on a budget phone is still a minor miracle. Most manufacturers treat their cheaper devices as second-class citizens when it comes to software support. So, on the surface, Nothing deserves some credit here. They’re not just pushing security patches; they’re delivering the full Android 16 experience with their custom skin on top. That “AI usage dashboard” is a smart, privacy-forward touch in an era where AI features are often black boxes. And system optimizations that promise faster startup? That’s the kind of practical improvement budget phone users will actually feel.
But Where’s the Wow Factor?
Now, let’s be a bit skeptical. Reading through the feature list, a lot of this feels… incremental. Redesigned icons? More widget size options? A toggle for how the Glyph lights behave? These are nice polish items, but they’re not headline acts. The core AI features coming with Android 16, like “Circle to Search” or more advanced on-device Gemini capabilities, are Google-driven. Nothing’s additions, while thoughtful, seem like minor utilities. For a company that built its brand on daring hardware design and a unique software aesthetic, this update feels surprisingly safe. It’s checking boxes rather than breaking new ground.
The Real Test is Stability
The phased rollout strategy is telling. Nothing is being cautious, and for good reason. Throwing a major OS update at a budget device—with its potentially less powerful hardware—is a recipe for bugs and performance hiccups. The last thing Nothing needs is its most affordable phones, which are likely volume sellers, gaining a reputation for being sluggish or buggy after an update. That “minimized startup speed” promise will be meaningless if the overall experience gets janky. So, while the limited rollout is prudent, it also highlights the risk. Will the Phone 3a’s hardware handle Android 16’s demands as smoothly as the flagship Phone 3? That’s the unanswered question.
A Solid Step Forward
Look, at the end of the day, this is a net positive. Nothing is supporting its cheaper phones with timely software, which is more than you can say for many competitors. Users get a fresher interface, some handy new tools, and the latest security foundations from Google. That matters. But it also feels like a maintenance release dressed up as a major launch. The excitement around Nothing has always been about challenging conventions. This update feels more like conforming to the standard Android OEM playbook. It’s competent, but is it compelling? For Phone 3a owners, it’s a welcome gift. For the industry watchers, it’s a sign Nothing might be settling into a more predictable rhythm. And in the tech world, predictable can be a dangerous word.
