News in Short

• Nothing OS 5.0 is based on Android 17.
• The update brings more than 80 changes across design, performance and features.
• Nothing Phone (3) gets the Open Beta first on August 26.
• The stable update for Phone (3) is planned for mid-October.
• Nothing claims improvements to touch response and background app retention.
• New features include Glyph Timer, adaptive colours and new lock screen designs.
• Essential Voice and Essential Space also receive upgrades.
• The CMF Phone 2 Pro is the only CMF phone currently listed for the update.

Nothing has announced Nothing OS 5.0, its latest smartphone software update based on Android 17. The new version brings more than 80 changes across the user interface, personalisation, performance and AI features.

The company will begin testing Nothing OS 5.0 through its Open Beta programme on Wednesday, starting with the Nothing Phone (3). Nothing says the update improves touch response, background app retention and system resource management while introducing several visual changes.

Nothing OS 5.0 Availability, Rollout Schedule

Nothing OS 5.0 Open Beta will start rolling out on August 26 at 3:30pm IST. The Nothing Phone (3) will receive the beta first, while Nothing plans to release the stable version in mid-October.

The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro will join the beta programme in early September. Next, the Nothing Phone (4a), Phone (3a) Pro and Phone (3a) will receive the beta in late September. Nothing plans to release the stable update for these four phones in early November.

Meanwhile, the Nothing Phone (2a) and Phone (2a) Plus will enter the beta programme in mid-October, followed by their stable updates in mid-November.

The Nothing Phone (4b) will get the beta in mid-December, with its stable update scheduled for mid-January. The Nothing Phone (3a) Lite will receive the stable update in late December, while the CMF Phone 2 Pro will get it in mid-January. The CMF Phone 2 Pro remains the only CMF smartphone listed for the update.

Nothing OS 5.0 Gets More Than 80 Changes

Nothing OS 5.0 brings a redesigned interface with new icons for apps, Settings, Camera, Gallery and the status bar. Nothing has also redesigned widgets and the search bar with transparent elements that add more depth to the interface.

The update also introduces an adaptive colour system. It can take colours from the user’s Home Screen wallpaper and apply matching tints to app icons and widgets.

In addition, Nothing has introduced the Geist typeface and adjusted system text sizes. Users get two new lock screen clock designs called Gooey and Micrographics.

Nothing is also making Home Screen customisation easier. Users can select and move multiple apps and widgets together instead of handling them individually. The update adds two new widgets called Collector and Away Time.

Glyph Interface Gets New Features

Nothing OS 5.0 introduces a dedicated app for the Glyph Interface along with a new Glyph Timer widget.

The update also brings new system animations and other interface refinements. According to Nothing, the software improves touch response and background app retention. Better system resource management should also help eligible phones handle apps and tasks more efficiently.

Essential Tools Get Performance Improvements

Nothing is also updating its Essential tools with Nothing OS 5.0. The company says Essential Voice now works faster and delivers improved transcription performance.

The Essential Space feature gains Smart Collections, which can organise content and recommend items for both new and existing Collections.

Furthermore, Essential Apps Builder will become a standalone app with the new software version.