Nothing OS 3.0 marks the company’s entry into the realm of Android 15. Following a recent teaser showcased in a YouTube video, Nothing has officially rolled out the first open beta version of Nothing OS 3.0 for the Nothing Phone 2a. If you own a Nothing Phone 2a and are eager to explore the new features that come with the Android 15-based Nothing OS 3.0, this guide will walk you through the process of joining the open beta program.
Nothing has shared essential information on its community forum regarding the upcoming skin, detailing significant features of the forthcoming software upgrade, as well as the schedule for the Nothing OS 3.0 open beta and the installation files. This is a substantial upgrade, and the open beta is currently available for the following devices:
- Phone (2a): Available now
- Phone (2): November 2024
- Phone (1): December 2024
- Phone (2a) Plus: December 2024
- CMF Phone 1: December 2024
Interestingly, the company has not disclosed details about the availability of its recently announced Nothing Phone 2a Plus. It’s important to note that the timeline mentioned pertains to the open beta version, with a stable release anticipated next year.
Regarding the features, Nothing OS 3.0 is set to rejuvenate the user interface considerably. Among the updates are a more legible font, a streamlined settings interface, a revamped notifications and quick settings panel, enhanced customization options for the lock screen, a new AI-equipped app drawer, an updated widget selector, a fresh pop-up view, improvements in camera functionality, and much more.
Below is the complete list of enhancements outlined in the Nothing Phone 2a Nothing OS 3.0 open beta 1 update.
- Lock Screen
- New customization options accessible by long-pressing the lock screen.
- Updated clock designs. Choose your preferred style.
- Increased widget space on the lock screen for additional widgets.
- Smart Drawer
- AI-powered Smart Drawer feature introduced to automatically organize apps into folders for better accessibility.
- Pin your frequently used apps at the top of the app drawer for instant access, eliminating the need to scroll.
- Quick Settings
- Redesigned Quick Settings with optimized editing capabilities.
- Updated design for the widget library.
- Visual enhancements in Settings with improved Network & Internet and Bluetooth options.
- Camera Upgrades
- Accelerated camera launch speed through the Camera Widget.
- Decreased processing time for HDR scenes.
- Refined portrait effects with adjusted blur intensity based on face size.
- Enhanced camera performance in low-light situations.
- Improved display of the zoom slider.
- Enhanced Pop-Up View
- Movable pop-up view for a cleaner, more efficient multitasking experience.
- Resize the pop-up view by dragging its corners.
- Pin the pop-up view to the screen’s edge for quick access.
- Access information without quitting your current app by swiping down on incoming notifications to open the pop-up view. Enable via Settings > System > Pop-up view.
- New fingerprint animation with a stylish dot matrix design.
- Additional Enhancements
- Added an auto-archive function to free up storage space automatically without deleting apps or data.
- Enable partial screen sharing for more secure and efficient screen recording, allowing you to record just a specific app window.
- Updated setup wizard to version 3.0 for a smoother introduction to Nothing OS.
- Enabled predictive back animations for participating apps.
How to Enroll in Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta on Nothing Phone 2a
Users of the Nothing Phone 2a can experience the upcoming features and changes associated with the Android 15-based Nothing OS 3.0 update. The first open beta is now available for interested users. If you’re eager to test the new features, follow these steps.
ATTENTION: As the Nothing OS 3.0 is still in its early testing phase, we advise against installing it on your primary device, even if you’re considering using it on a secondary phone. We recommend waiting for feedback from other users before proceeding with the installation. Please consider waiting a few days.
Step 1: First, make sure your Nothing Phone 2a is operating on Nothing OS 2.6 with a build number of Pacman-U2.6-240828_1906.
Step 2: Download the Nothing Official OTA Update APK to your device, then install the application on your Phone 2a.
Step 3: Go to Settings and navigate to System > Update to Beta version.
Step 4: Tap on “Check for new version” and follow the instructions that appear on screen. You will receive the Nothing OS 3.0 open beta 1 via a special OTA update.
If you decide to revert to Nothing OS 2.6, you can download the rollback file and sideload it onto your device. Instructions and the rollback package can be found on the community forum; you can check it here.
If you’ve already installed the Nothing OS 3.0 open beta 1 on your Phone 2a, share your experiences in the comments below. Your feedback would greatly assist other users in understanding the features and performance of this new update.
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