Nothing OS 4.0 Rolls Out to CMF Phone 1, 2 Pro, Phone 3a Lite

Nothing has expanded its Android 16-based Nothing OS 4.0 rollout to CMF Phone 1 (starting December 26), CMF Phone 2 Pro (coming weeks), and Nothing Phone 3a Lite (early January 2026). This completes the major update cycle that began in November with flagship Nothing Phone models, bringing refined visuals and deeper customization to the budget lineup.

Nothing OS 4.0 Rollout Timeline

Device Schedule

What’s New in Nothing OS 4.0

The update introduces app hiding directly from home screen and app drawer, expanded widget sizes for Weather, Pedometer, and Screen Time, 2×2 Quick Settings tile support, dual floating icons in pop-up view, and app optimization for faster startup. Nothing also introduces Playground (Alpha), a community platform hosting user-created content like Essential Apps, Camera Presets, and EQ Profiles.

For dual SIM users, separate ringtones can now be assigned to each SIM card—a practical addition for those managing work and personal lines on one device.

Visual & Performance Refinements

Nothing OS 4.0 focuses on visual consistency, refined UI components, refreshed iconography for clarity, and reworked animations that make navigation feel more genuine rather than introducing disruptive new features. The Nothing design language remains intact while improving everyday interaction quality.

The update emphasizes coherent design and steady performance over flashy additions, ensuring devices work reliably rather than chasing feature bloat.

Installation & Requirements

Users can check for updates manually via Settings > System > System updates. The download weighs 3-5GB, requiring sufficient storage and at least 40% battery before installation. Nothing recommends backing up important data before upgrading to this major release.

This marks the final major OS upgrade for CMF Phone 1, while CMF Phone 2 Pro gets its first of three promised Android updates (through Android 18) with six years of security patches.

Strategic Software Support

Nothing’s commitment to timely updates positions it competitively against OnePlus, Samsung, and Xiaomi, all of which have also deployed Android 16. For budget CMF devices receiving flagship-level software on day one, this demonstrates Nothing’s serious approach to long-term device support—crucial for buyer confidence in a crowded market.

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