Nothing, that tech brand out of London founded by Carl Pei back in 2020, just expanded their beta testing for Nothing OS 4.0. This update builds on Android 16, which Google released earlier in 2025 with fresh privacy tools and better battery tweaks. They first teased the OS last month at an online event, highlighting how it meshes their clean, glyph-light design with Android’s core. Early October, they dropped the open beta for models like the Phone (3), Phone (2), Phone (2a), and Phone (2a) Plus—phones from 2023-2025 with Snapdragon chips and those unique LED backs. Now, as of October 25, 2025, they’ve looped in the Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro, mid-rangers launched mid-2025 with MediaTek Dimensity processors for solid daily use without flagship prices.
These two join the beta party after sitting out the initial wave, probably while Nothing ironed out bugs specific to their hardware—like optimizing the glyph interface on the back for notifications or calls.
Key Features Coming to These Models
The beta packs a redesigned icon set—think minimalist dots and lines echoing Nothing’s clean, transparent aesthetic, making apps pop on the home screen without clutter. Then there’s this “Stretch” camera mode, cooked up with photographer Jordan Hemingway, known for gritty shoots with brands like Gucci. It amps up shadows for moodier depth and stretches highlights for that film-like glow, all straight from the camera app—no post-edits needed. Nothing pitches it as turning everyday snaps into cinematic vibes, like boosting contrast in low light for urban night shots or portraits with dramatic edges.
Lock Glimpse is another standout: it cycles high-res wallpapers on your lock screen, pulled from nine categories like nature scenes (think misty forests or ocean waves), abstract art, or cityscapes. It also slips in real-time updates—weather alerts, news snippets, or personalized tips based on your habits, like suggesting podcasts if you’re into audio. Down the line, Nothing plans to let you toss your own photos into the mix, maybe family pics or travel shots rotating daily, but no exact date yet—just “soon” as per their forums.
Rest of the beta mirrors what’s already out for other phones: smoother widgets that resize on the fly, AI-driven battery saving that learns your patterns (e.g., dimming screen during commutes), and tighter integration with Nothing’s Ear buds for seamless audio handoffs. All this on Android 16’s base, which adds stuff like enhanced foldable support (though these are slab phones) and better app permissions.
How to Get In on the Beta
If you’ve got a Phone (3a) or (3a) Pro, hop into Nothing’s community app or their site for the signup—it’s a quick form verifying your device IMEI. Download hits over WiFi, around 2GB, and installs like any update. Deadline’s November 7, 2025, so after that, you’re stuck waiting for the stable version, expected Q1 2026. Heads up: betas can glitch—random reboots, app crashes, or battery drain—so skip if this is your main phone. Back up first via Google Drive or Nothing’s cloud.
Pricing Snapshot for the Lineup
Nothing keeps prices competitive, especially with deals popping up. Here’s a quick table of current spots as of late October 2025—pulled from sites like Amazon, Best Buy, and Nothing’s store. Prices fluctuate with sales, taxes extra.
| Model | Storage/RAM | US Price (Deal) | EU Price (Deal) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nothing Phone (3a) | 128GB/8GB | $445 | €308 | Base model, great for light users. |
| Nothing Phone (3a) | 256GB/12GB | $455 | €349 | More space for apps/photos. |
| Nothing Phone (3a) Pro | 256GB/12GB | N/A | €399 | Beefier camera, faster charge. |
| Nothing Phone (3) | 256GB/12GB | $799 | €739 | Flagship with premium build. |
| Nothing Phone (3) | 512GB/16GB | $899 | €774 | Max storage for heavy multitaskers. |
| Nothing Phone (2) | 256GB/12GB | $640 | £380 | Last gen, still solid value. |
| Nothing Phone (2) | 512GB/12GB | $700 | N/A | Extra room without RAM bump. |
| Nothing Phone (2a) | 128GB/8GB | $370 | €279 | Budget entry, good battery. |
| Nothing Phone (2a) | 256GB/12GB | $310 | €190 | Steal at this price point. |
| Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | 256GB/8GB | N/A | ₹21,439 (India) | Variant for emerging markets. |
| Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | 256GB/12GB | N/A | €289 | Plus perks like better processor. |
These are approximate—check retailers for stock, as betas might tie into promotions. Overall, this beta push shows Nothing doubling down on quick updates, keeping even mid-tier phones fresh in a market where Samsung and Google dominate with long support. If you’re into clean software without bloat, it’s worth a peek, but test cautiously.
