The much-anticipated Nothing OS 3.0 Beta is here, and we've had early access to it. While the interface sticks to its minimalistic roots, the update brings quite a few subtle yet impactful changes. Here's our hands-on experience of the OS.
Nothing OS 3.0: New Features and Changes
Before we get into our experience with the update, let's take a look at the new features and changes it introduced:
- New clock font on lock screen (dot font style removed)
- Day and date moved to the top of the clock on the lock screen
- Long-press on the lock screen centre invokes the “customise lock screen” prompt
- New fingerprint animation (not customisable)
- Updated Always-On-Display (AOD)
- The lock screen keypad now lacks circles around numbers; numbers are no longer in dot format
- Quick settings design deviates from Android 14’s default style
- Limited access to four quick setting tiles on a single swipe (previously six)
- The status bar clock shifted to the left of the date
- Quick settings background is white in normal mode and black in dark mode
- Wi-Fi and LTE icons are now in pill shapes, Bluetooth in a squircle, and others in circular backgrounds
- Resizable quick-setting tiles (from circle to pill)
- Revamped layout for additional quick settings with reset button moved above
- A thicker brightness slider at the bottom of quick settings, with an auto-brightness toggle
- The app drawer is divided into three sections: Search, App Suggestions, and All Apps
- Option to pin favourite apps under app suggestions in the app drawer
- App drawer layout can mimic iOS style
- Apps can now be archived to save space
- Settings page has a refreshed, organised layout
- Experimental features, RAM booster, gestures, and game mode are grouped under “special features.”
- Android 15 device diagnostics added, with manual tests and evaluation mode
Nothing OS 3.0: First Impression
Our first dive into Nothing OS 3.0 Beta revealed a smooth, clean user interface that stays true to the brand's minimalism. The removal of the dot font on the lock screen is a noticeable change, making the design feel more refined and straightforward. Moving the date above the clock cleans up the visual clutter, and long-pressing the lock screen now opens up customisation options, allowing users to tweak their experience more easily.
Moreover, the new fingerprint animation is sleek but not customisable yet, which might be a disappointment for those who like more control over aesthetics. However, a key improvement is in the quick settings—while they've reduced the number of tiles available with a single swipe, the white and black backgrounds (depending on the mode) bring better clarity and contrast. The tiles' resizable option from circle to pill also adds a nice touch of customisation.
Another noteworthy change is the new app drawer layout. Sections like search, suggestions, and apps have been split to keep things organised. The option to pin favourite apps is a nifty feature, though having it placed under app suggestions might take some time to get used to.
Moreover, the iOS-style layout adds a familiar feel for those switching from Apple devices, and the ability to archive apps gives you more flexibility in managing storage.
Conclusion
Using the Nothing OS 3.0 Beta so far has been an enjoyable experience, with improvements that focus on design refinement and ease of use. The new customisation options, especially in the lock screen and quick settings, offer a more personalised touch, while the overall layout changes provide better organisation and clarity.
Although some features, like the non-customisable fingerprint animation, still have room for improvement, the update is a solid step forward, keeping the core of Nothing's minimalistic design intact. So if you are already in the Nothing ecosystem, the beta update is worth checking out.
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