Nothing is preparing to roll out Nothing OS 5.0, its Android 17-based update. CEO Carl Pei already confirmed on X that the new software will let users separate Notifications and Quick Settings for faster access.
Rumors also point to other interface changes, including a smaller navigation bar, suggesting there could be more to the update than the features Nothing has officially teased so far.
Exciting as it sounds, three older phones may have already reached the end of their promised major OS upgrades and will not receive the update. Here are the eligible devices.
All but three of Nothing's phones will get upgraded
Three devices are expected to miss the upcoming Nothing OS 5.0 update, and they include the Nothing Phone (1), Nothing Phone (2), and CMF Phone 1.
The brand has already fulfilled the major Android updates it promised for these phones at launch. The Phone (1) was promised three years of Android updates, while the Phone (2) and CMF Phone 1 were promised three major Android updates.
The Phone (1) has finally reached Android 15, with the Phone (2) and CMF Phone 1 reaching Android 16. However, the Phone (2) and CMF Phone 1 should still receive security updates until the middle of 2027.
That said, Nothing OS 5.0 should come to these phones, although it's largely unconfirmed:
- Nothing Phone (3).
- Nothing Phone (3a).
- Nothing Phone (3a) Pro.
- Nothing Phone (2a).
- Nothing Phone (2a) Plus.
- CMF Phone 2 Pro.
Fans are already making predictions and wishlists in the Community forum. Multitasking is a recurring theme, with users asking for easier access to floating apps, better window management, and the ability to pin apps in Recents so they aren't killed when they press Clear All.
Quick Settings is another pain point, with users wanting faster access to controls such as brightness without having to dig through the notification panel. The company is set to reveal more details on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 11 a.m. British Summer Time (BST) or 6 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
You missed Nothing over the past few days
Prior to the Nothing OS 5.0 announcement, the brand ran a review program. Applicants needed to own a Nothing Phone (3), have software or user-experience expertise, provide feedback during the testing period, and follow its embargo and security requirements.
The selected reviewers were supposed to get early access to the software, share first impressions on the Nothing Community and their social channels, publish a full review after launch, and create content around the software and its features. The application window closed on August 17, 2026, at 11 a.m. BST.
Speaking of the Phone (3), it's currently on sale. The 12GB RAM + 256GB model is $599, down from $799, which is 25% off. The 16GB + 512GB model is $699, down from $899, giving you a 22% discount.
Now's your chance to buy into the most capable Glyph system Nothing has made yet, with the Phone (3)'s Glyph Matrix turning the rear side into a tiny interactive display for notifications, animations, timers, games, and at-a-glance information.
