Nothing Phone (3) Launches as True Flagship with Major Software Upgrade on the Horizon
Nothing made a big splash in the tech world this week with the announcement of its first ‘true flagship’ phone, the Nothing Phone (3). Set to go up for pre-order tomorrow, the London-based challenger brand also unveiled its first over-ear headphones during the launch event.
While all the final details for the Phone (3) were confirmed, potential owners were also given an unexpected promise of a major software upgrade in the near future. The device will come pre-loaded with Nothing OS 3.5, based on Android 15, but the company has already announced the release timeline for Nothing OS 4, which will be based on Android 16.
Carl Pei, CEO of Nothing, stated that the update is scheduled to arrive “later this autumn”. However, the reviewers’ guide hints at a release in Q3 of 2025.
Nothing
With the current quarter being Q3, the update for Nothing OS 4 is expected to arrive soon. This puts Nothing ahead of competitors like Samsung, who are still rolling out updates based on Android 16 to devices like the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
The Nothing Phone (3) is likely to be the first device to receive the new operating system, followed by older models such as the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro. Devices from the Phone (2) generation may have a longer wait for the update, but Nothing has yet to confirm specific timelines.
In addition to this major software upgrade, Nothing has also extended its update promise for the Phone (3) to include five years of OS updates and seven years of security updates. This commitment to long-term support sets Nothing apart in the competitive smartphone market.
