Nothing rolls out Nothing OS 5.0 based on Android 17

Nothing has begun distributing the stable version of Nothing OS 5.0, based on Android 17, to several smartphone models ahead of its previously announced November schedule. The update is currently being rolled out to the Phone 3a, Phone 3a Pro, Phone 4a, and Phone 4a Pro.

Key visual updates include a new translucent, frosted glass theme, redesigned settings, and smoother animations. The user interface now separates notifications from quick settings, and home screen icons can be reorganized in blocks. A dedicated Glyph app has also been introduced to manage the light notifications on the back of the devices.

Camera enhancements include a dual-view video mode that records using the front and rear cameras simultaneously. While the Phone 3a series receives advanced tuning and preset tools, the Phone 4a models benefit from faster voice transcriptions via Essential Voice. The update also incorporates Android 17 features such as extended dark theme, improved HDR controls, updated privacy indicators, and more responsive Live Updates.