Nothing has started teasing the launch of Nothing OS 4.0, based on Android 16, with a release scheduled for September 2025, as promoted on social media.
A teaser post reveals redesigned icons expected to feature in the new operating system. This aligns with Nothing’s previous announcement during the Nothing Phone 3 launch that the Android 16-based platform update would be available in Q3 2025, confirming the September release timeframe.
Nothing OS 4.0 is slated to be rolled out to Nothing Phone 2 and later models. The original Nothing Phone 1, which debuted in July 2022, has completed its platform update lifecycle after receiving three years of Android version updates, although it will continue to receive security updates for another year.
Despite the Phone 1 reaching the end of its official support, CEO Carl Pei announced on X that the company is developing a “program” for Phone 1 users, sparking speculation about potential further support. The specifics of this program remain ambiguous, and it could potentially include a beta or experimental Android 16 update, or a trade-in or upgrade offer to encourage users to switch to newer Nothing or CMF devices.
Further details regarding the program are anticipated to be disclosed when the OS update is officially released. The Android 16 rollout has been slow outside of Google Pixel devices. While Samsung has begun rolling it out for more phones, other OEMs are further behind. Nothing promised that it would release Android 16-based Nothing OS 4.0 in September, and the company has now begun teasing the new update.
It remains uncertain whether the “program” will provide an Android 16 update to Phone 1 users. The device’s age and the fact that Nothing isn’t obligated to provide any further stable platform updates suggest that any potential update might be a “beta” or “experimental access” update for enthusiasts only. The company is working on a “program” for Phone 1 users, and hopefully, more information about the program will be revealed when the OS update is released.
