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Nothing Phone (4a), Phone (4a) Pro, Phone (3a), and Phone (3a) Pro are now beginning to receive the stable version of Nothing OS 5.0 based on Android 17. According to GSMArena, the update arrived slightly ahead of schedule and follows the rollout of a similar system update for Nothing Phone (3) earlier this month.
Update rolling out in phases
Nothing OS 5.0 is being distributed in phases, so its availability may vary between devices. Users who have not received a notification can check manually by going to Settings, System, and then System update.
Before installing the update, users are advised to back up their data. During installation, the phone may feel warmer and consume more power. Nothing says device performance will return to normal once the update is complete.
Updated interface and Glyph features
All four models receive a dedicated Glyph app and separate Quick Settings and notification panels. Nothing OS 5.0 also allows users to organize home screen icons in bulk and introduces a three-color status bar indicator for sensitive access, location, and artificial intelligence processing.
The new Translucent theme gives the launcher a frosted-glass appearance with soft accent colors inspired by the wallpaper. Other updates include two lock screen clock designs, clock color options, the Geist typeface, and a redesigned Settings interface.
Nothing has also added Collector, Away Time, and Glyph Timer widgets. Other additions include Expanded Dark, which forces dark mode in most apps that do not support it natively; an Enhanced HDR brightness setting; Noto 3D Emoji in Gboard; improved Live Updates in the status bar; and one-tap Bluetooth connection and disconnection from Quick Settings.
Camera improvements vary by model
Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro receive a new Tuning feature with seven customizable effects. Both also gain enhanced Presets with a new 2x2 widget, Filters and Tuning support for video, and a Dual-view Video feature.
On Phone (4a) and Phone (4a) Pro, Dual-view Video allows users to record simultaneously with the front and rear cameras. Both models also receive faster Essential Voice transcription.
All the devices mentioned receive an updated Camera interface. Nothing has also improved recording, zoom, close-up photography, and QR code scanning capabilities across all four phones.
Next devices in line
GSMArena reports that Nothing Phone (2a) and Phone (2a) Plus are scheduled to be the next devices to receive the stable version in mid-November. Phone (3a) Lite is expected to follow in late December.
After that, Nothing Phone (4b) and CMF Phone 2 Pro are scheduled to receive the stable update in mid-January. Because the rollout is being conducted in phases, users will still need to wait for the update to become available on their respective devices.
