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Nothing OS 5.0 is the Android 17 update. Nothing’s published schedule supports Phone (3), the Phone (4a) series, Phone (3a) series, Phone (2a) series, Phone (4b), CMF Phone 2 Pro and Phone (3a) Lite. Phone (1), Phone (2) and CMF Phone 1 are not eligible because their major-software support has ended. The release is phased by model, region and carrier, so a listed date is an indicative window rather than a guarantee that every device receives the update that day.
Which phones are eligible for Nothing OS 5.0?
Nothing’s official OS 5.0 product information identifies ten compatible models or model families. The dates below are the company’s indicative general-release windows for 2026 and early 2027. “From October 12” means the release starts rolling out on or after that date; it does not mean every country receives it simultaneously.
| Phone | Nothing OS 5.0 eligibility | Indicative general-release window | Beta information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone (3) | Eligible | From October 12, 2026 | Open Beta began August 26, 2026; stable build Metroid-V4.1-260814-1733 was required for enrollment |
| Phone (4a) Pro | Eligible | Early November 2026 | Beta required FroggerPro-B4.1-260723-1820 |
| Phone (4a) | Eligible | Early November 2026 | Beta required Frogger-B4.1-260808-1352 or later |
| Phone (3a) Pro | Eligible | Early November 2026 | Beta required Asteroids-B4.1-260810-1153 |
| Phone (3a) | Eligible | Early November 2026 | Beta required Asteroids-B4.1-260810-1153 |
| Phone (2a) | Eligible | Mid-November 2026 | Beta required Pacman-B4.1-260813-0941 or later |
| Phone (2a) Plus | Eligible | Mid-November 2026 | Beta required PacmanPro-B4.1-260813-0941 |
| Phone (3a) Lite | Eligible | Late December 2026 | Beta requirement not stated in the published table |
| Phone (4b) | Eligible | Mid-January 2027 | Beta build listed as to be confirmed; Open Beta was expected in mid-December |
| CMF Phone 2 Pro | Eligible | Mid-January 2027 | Beta requirement not stated in the published table |
Nothing’s table uses “early,” “mid” and “late” as broad scheduling markers. It also warns that rollout timing can change and that regional and carrier certification affects availability.
Which Nothing phones will not receive the update?
Three older models are outside the OS 5.0 eligibility list:
#1 Best Overall
- Ultra-high Performance Chipset: This cell phone is equipped with a powerful and efficient Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip, using 4nm technology and a full-core 3.2GHz CPU, supporting 24GB LPDDR5X memory + UFS 4.0 flash memory, and equipped with an AI engine, with comprehensive performance upgrades.
- Revolutionary 50MP Quad Camera System: This smartphone is equipped with All 50MP four camera system: Including a Main Camera, a Periscope, an Ultra-wide Camera, and a ultra-clear Front Camera; this cell phone support Ultra XDR 4K video, Auto Tone, Portrait Optimiser, Motion Capture Mode, Night Mode; Whether you're a photographer, vlogger, or social media enthusiast, with the pro-grade camera system and AI enhancements, this Nothing phone can ensure every shot is masterpiece-ready.
- One-Touch Control, AI-Powered Organization：ESSENTIAL KEY: A new button on the side of your device.Press once to capture your screen, long-press to record voice and ideas, and double-press to access Essential Space; ESSENTIAL SPACE: Everything in one place, organised the way you want it to be，AI mobile phones helps organise your captures, generating suggestions, and staying on top of what matters; Explore more AI features, Let AI enrich your life
- GLYPH INTERFACE: Where Light Speaks; The Glyph Matrix transforms your phone into an interactive playground—smart animations turn notifications, tools, and games into living light experiences; NFC: An animation comes to life when NFC is triggered; Glyph Button: Quick-tap to browse Glyph Toys, long-press to launch—from utilities to games; Smarter Alerts: Notifications now speak in light and sound, blending visuals with meaning; Beyond illumination; This is interaction, redefined.
- Larger and Brighter FHD Display: 6.67" FHD+ 1.5K AMOLED flex screen with 1.07B colors & 120Hz adaptive refresh for ultra-smooth visuals; Vs Nothing Phone (2)/(3a): Phone (3) boasts 181.2% brighter (4500 nits), 16.7% sharper (460 PPI), and 316% faster touch response (1000Hz); IP68-rated—tough enough for any adventure.
- Nothing Phone (1)
- Nothing Phone (2)
- CMF Phone 1
Nothing states that these phones have reached the end of major software support and will not receive Nothing OS 5.0. Security or maintenance activity, if any, should not be confused with a new Android major version. Installing an unofficial Android build cannot be described as an official Nothing OS 5.0 update.
How the Nothing OS 5.0 rollout is staged
Model order
Phone (3) is the first listed model with a general release. The Phone (4a) and Phone (3a) families follow in early November, then Phone (2a) models in mid-November. Phone (3a) Lite is scheduled for late December, while Phone (4b) and CMF Phone 2 Pro are scheduled for mid-January 2027.
Region and carrier phases
Nothing’s community announcement says the general release is staggered and that availability may vary by region and device. Two owners of the same model can therefore see different results on the same day. Carrier variants may wait for additional testing or approval, and a device purchased in one market may follow a different wave from an imported device.
Why Phone (4b) is later
Nothing’s roadmap gives Phone (4b) a later schedule because Android 17 development for that model started later and requires additional integration, testing and certification. The roadmap expected its Open Beta in mid-December, with the general release later, matching the published mid-January target.
Phone (3) rollout status
Nothing’s community announcement says, “Nothing OS 5.0 General Release is now rolling out to Phone (3).” The company’s product table gives October 12, 2026 as the start of the Phone (3) general-release window. These statements describe an active, phased rollout—not universal availability on every Phone (3).
To see whether your handset is in the current wave, use Settings > System > System update. If no update appears, the absence does not establish that your model is ineligible; it may simply be waiting for the next regional or carrier phase.
What changed between the beta and the stable release?
Nothing OS 5.0 is based on Android 17, but beta timing does not mean every feature is present in the first beta package. Nothing specifically held the redesigned homescreen and Micrographics clock face for the general release rather than the initial beta.
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Features delivered separately
Some capabilities are not tied to the operating-system image. Nothing says Essential Space changes are delivered separately through Google Play. Its roadmap placed MCP support around October, a redesigned capture experience from November, and real-time translation in Essential Voice later in the year. Essential Apps Builder was described as an early beta with gradual access.
Consequently, a phone can be running the stable OS 5.0 system package while still waiting for an application update, server-side enablement or an account-based rollout. Check Google Play for updates to Nothing’s relevant system applications when a feature is announced but not visible.
Rank #2
- Ultra-high Performance Chipset: This cell phone is equipped with a powerful and efficient Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip, using 4nm technology and a full-core 3.2GHz CPU, supporting 24GB LPDDR5X memory + UFS 4.0 flash memory, and equipped with an AI engine, with comprehensive performance upgrades.
- Revolutionary 50MP Quad Camera System: This smartphone is equipped with All 50MP four camera system: Including a Main Camera, a Periscope, an Ultra-wide Camera, and a ultra-clear Front Camera; this cell phone support Ultra XDR 4K video, Auto Tone, Portrait Optimiser, Motion Capture Mode, Night Mode; Whether you're a photographer, vlogger, or social media enthusiast, with the pro-grade camera system and AI enhancements, this Nothing phone can ensure every shot is masterpiece-ready.
- One-Touch Control, AI-Powered Organization：ESSENTIAL KEY: A new button on the side of your device.Press once to capture your screen, long-press to record voice and ideas, and double-press to access Essential Space; ESSENTIAL SPACE: Everything in one place, organised the way you want it to be，AI mobile phones helps organise your captures, generating suggestions, and staying on top of what matters; Explore more AI features, Let AI enrich your life
- GLYPH INTERFACE: Where Light Speaks; The Glyph Matrix transforms your phone into an interactive playground—smart animations turn notifications, tools, and games into living light experiences; NFC: An animation comes to life when NFC is triggered; Glyph Button: Quick-tap to browse Glyph Toys, long-press to launch—from utilities to games; Smarter Alerts: Notifications now speak in light and sound, blending visuals with meaning; Beyond illumination; This is interaction, redefined.
- Larger and Brighter FHD Display: 6.67" FHD+ 1.5K AMOLED flex screen with 1.07B colors & 120Hz adaptive refresh for ultra-smooth visuals; Vs Nothing Phone (2)/(3a): Phone (3) boasts 181.2% brighter (4500 nits), 16.7% sharper (460 PPI), and 316% faster touch response (1000Hz); IP68-rated—tough enough for any adventure.
How to check for Nothing OS 5.0
- Connect the phone to a reliable Wi-Fi network and charge it sufficiently for a system installation.
- Open Settings.
- Tap System.
- Tap System update.
- Choose Check for update if the page does not automatically check.
- Read the build information and release notes before selecting download and install.
- Keep the phone connected to power while it restarts and completes the installation.
The menu can report that the phone is up to date even while another device in the same model family is receiving the update. That result reflects the current rollout phase for your device, not a promise that the model will never receive OS 5.0.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to join the Nothing OS 5.0 beta
The beta is intended for testing and can contain defects or unfinished features. Use it only if you can tolerate instability and have a recovery plan. Nothing’s enrollment procedure is:
- Install the latest stable software build for your model.
- Install Nothing Beta Hub V2.0.
- Open Settings > System > Nothing Beta Hub.
- Tap Check Version.
- Select Join Beta.
- Tap Go to Update and follow the on-screen installation instructions.
If Go to Update does not open the updater, go directly to Settings > System > System updates and check manually. Enrollment also depends on having the required stable build shown in Nothing’s table; an older build can prevent the beta offer from appearing.
| Model | Stable build required for the listed beta |
|---|---|
| Phone (3) | Metroid-V4.1-260814-1733 |
| Phone (4a) Pro | FroggerPro-B4.1-260723-1820 |
| Phone (4a) | Frogger-B4.1-260808-1352 or later |
| Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro | Asteroids-B4.1-260810-1153 |
| Phone (2a) | Pacman-B4.1-260813-0941 or later |
| Phone (2a) Plus | PacmanPro-B4.1-260813-0941 |
| Phone (4b) | To be confirmed in the official table |
Back up before installing or leaving the beta
Nothing says beta installation itself should not erase data, but it recommends backing up photos, contacts, messages and call logs first. Treat that backup as essential because a failed installation, app incompatibility or later rollback can still create a data-loss risk.
- Sync photos and videos to your chosen cloud service or copy them to a computer.
- Confirm that contacts are synchronized to the account you use on the phone.
- Export or back up messages and call logs if they are important to you.
- Make sure you know your screen lock and account credentials before changing system software.
How to roll back from the beta
Returning to the stable release can erase all data and may require a factory reset. Copy personal files off the phone before starting, and do not assume a beta backup will restore cleanly to an older stable build. After rollback, restore only from a backup that the stable software accepts, then reinstall applications and verify two-factor authentication access.
Why your eligible phone may not show the update
- Its window has not opened: A model scheduled for mid-November should not be expected in the early-November wave.
- Your region is in a later phase: Nothing explicitly varies availability by region and device.
- Carrier certification is pending: Carrier testing can delay an otherwise eligible handset.
- The phone is on an unsupported build for beta enrollment: Update to the exact stable build or a newer permitted build listed for your model.
- You are waiting for an app feature, not the OS: Essential Space changes and related capabilities can arrive through Google Play or gradual access after the system update.
- The model is outside the support window: Phone (1), Phone (2) and CMF Phone 1 will not receive OS 5.0.
Start troubleshooting by checking the model name under the phone’s device information, then use Settings > System > System update. Avoid factory-resetting a phone solely because an over-the-air update has not appeared; a reset does not move a device into an earlier rollout phase.
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The published dates are targets, not contractual delivery dates. Phone (3) started the rollout from October 12, 2026; four models are targeted for early November; two for mid-November; Phone (3a) Lite for late December; and Phone (4b) plus CMF Phone 2 Pro for mid-January 2027. Nothing can adjust those windows as testing, certification or regional deployment changes.
For a reliable status check, combine the official model table with the Nothing community announcement and the update screen on your own phone. The device’s update page is the final indication that your particular regional or carrier build is ready.
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