Nothing OS 4.0 Officially Launched After iOS 26 and One UI 8 Updates

The smartphone software ecosystem has been dominated for years by two giants: Apple’s iOS and Samsung’s One UI. Apple iOS 26 brought major changes with new privacy controls and AI-powered enhancements, while Samsung One UI 8 focused on stability, customization, and Galaxy AI integration.

Now, a new player is making its presence felt in the global arena—Nothing OS 4.0. Announced just after iOS 26 and One UI 8, Nothing OS 4.0 is more than just an Android OS. It’s a design-driven operating system that blends simplicity, elegance, and powerful functionality into one connective ecosystem.

In this article, we’ll discuss about Nothing OS 4.0, its standout features, how it compares to iOS 26 and One UI 8, and why it could be the most exciting software release of 2025.

Introducing Nothing OS 4.0 – The Vision Behind It

According to the official announcement by Nothing:

“With Nothing OS, we’re building a mobile experience that feels effortless, intuitive, and uniquely human. By combining purposeful design with cutting-edge innovation, we create an ecosystem where software and hardware speak the same design language—clean, open, and beautifully functional.”

This philosophy lies at the core of Nothing OS 4.0. Unlike other Android skins that often add bloat or unnecessary complexity, Nothing OS focuses on removing clutter, refining design, and making technology quietly powerful.

Every interaction is meant to enhance life—not interrupt it. And with OS 4.0, this idea has been taken further, creating a cohesive and transparent experience that feels refreshing in a world of flashy, overwhelming features.

Key Features of Nothing OS 4.0

Refined Design Across Every Layer

Cleaner Quick Settings panel.
Reimagined lock screen clocks.
Standardized components for consistent UI.
More fluid animations.

Unlike Samsung One UI 8’s feature-rich, sometimes overwhelming interface, Nothing OS 4.0 doubles down on minimalism and clarity, closer in spirit to Apple iOS 26 but with Android flexibility.

Extra Dark Mode

Pitch-black dark theme for reduced eye strain.
Smarter contrasts across apps.
Battery-saving benefits on OLED screens.

This addresses a long-standing user demand, making it one of the most celebrated updates.

Pop-up View for Multitasking

Support for two floating apps at once.
Quick switching between minimized apps.
Inspired by OxygenOS but fine-tuned for Nothing’s design language.

This directly rivals Samsung’s multitasking process, though Nothing’s approach feels lighter and less resource-heavy.

App Optimization for Speed

Faster app launch times.
Improved responsiveness when switching tasks.
Refined transitions for smooth navigation.

Early feedback suggests OS 4.0 feels snappier than OS 3.5, making it competitive against iOS 26’s smooth ecosystem.

Photography & TrueLens Engine

Revamped Camera and Gallery apps.
Smarter controls and presets.
More intuitive editing layout.
Better photo rendering across devices.

While Apple continues to dominate smartphone photography with iPhone 16 Pro and iOS 26 optimizations, Nothing OS 4.0’s TrueLens Engine is a serious step forward for a relatively young brand.

AI – Fully Controlled by You

Transparent AI dashboard.
Status hints for when AI is active.
Full control over LLM-powered features.

This approach makes Nothing stand apart. Where iOS 26 and One UI 8 lean heavily into AI integration, Nothing emphasizes user control and privacy-first AI, ensuring technology remains in the user’s hands.

General Improvements

More responsive lock screen and Always-On Display.
Clearer brightness adjustments.
Improved Bluetooth & Wi-Fi stability.
Faster access to Bluetooth recording.

These refinements may sound small, but they add up to a much smoother daily experience.

Open Beta Rollout

Nothing is inviting users to test OS 4.0 via Open Beta.
Based on Android 16 preview.
Chance to experience the newest features before stable release.

This bold move positions Nothing as a community-driven brand, unlike Apple’s closed ecosystem.

Comparison – Nothing OS 4.0 vs iOS 26 vs One UI 8

Feature/OS	Nothing OS 4.0	Apple iOS 26	Samsung One UI 8
Design	Minimalist, unified, fluid	Polished, premium, intuitive	Feature-rich, customizable
Dark Mode	Pitch-black, battery saving	Standard dark mode	Enhanced, adaptive
Multitasking	Two pop-up apps, fluid switching	Limited (Split View on iPad only)	Advanced multitasking options
Photography	TrueLens Engine, new presets	ProRAW, AI enhancements	Galaxy AI photo editing
AI Control	Privacy-first, user-controlled	Siri-driven AI	Galaxy AI deep integration
Beta Access	Open Beta (Android 16 preview)	Closed Beta	Limited Beta

This table shows how Nothing OS 4.0 positions itself as a balance between iOS’s polish and Samsung’s feature depth—but with a unique minimalist identity.

Real-World Feedback & First Impressions

Early adopters and beta testers highlight:

Smoother animations than before.
Better standby battery compared to OS 3.5.
Improved multitasking that rivals Samsung’s implementation.
Some limitations: Still minimal AI tools compared to rivals.

A common sentiment is that Nothing OS 4.0 feels “lighter” and less intrusive than One UI or MIUI, while retaining Android’s flexibility—making it particularly attractive to users tired of bloated UIs.

Why Nothing OS 4.0 Matters in 2025

Challenging the duopoly of Apple and Samsung.
Bringing fresh design language to Android, breaking away from heavy skins.
Offering privacy-first AI, which could become a major selling point.
Strengthening Nothing’s ecosystem play (phones, earbuds, watches).

With this release, Nothing is indicating that it’s no longer a niche startup. It’s evolving into a serious ecosystem player.

Potential Areas for Growth

While Nothing OS 4.0 is promising, there are still gaps:

Lack of advanced AI tools for productivity (like Galaxy AI or Apple Intelligence).
Limited ecosystem compared to Apple’s iCloud or Samsung’s Galaxy Continuity.
Needs faster update cycles to keep up with rivals.

Still, its minimalist vision and privacy-first approach set it apart in an industry where complexity often overwhelms users.

Conclusion

Nothing OS 4.0 represents a bold step forward for a young brand daring to challenge Apple and Samsung at their own game. This OS 4.0 is a combination of refined design, deeper dark mode, smarter multitasking, improved photography, and transparent AI controls features, crafted an operating system that is both beautiful and functional.

While iOS 26 and One UI 8 continue to dominate with their maturity and ecosystems, Nothing OS 4.0 introduces fresh energy into the smartphone software market—a reminder that sometimes, less really is more.

FAQs About Nothing OS 4.0

Q1. Which devices will get Nothing OS 4.0 first?
Nothing Phone (2) and the upcoming Nothing Phone (3) will likely be the first devices.

Q2. Is Nothing OS 4.0 based on Android 16?
Yes, the open beta will preview Android 16 under Nothing’s custom design.

Q3. Does Nothing OS 4.0 improve battery life?
Early reports confirm better optimization and longer standby time compared to OS 3.5.

Q4. How does Nothing OS 4.0 compare to iOS 26 and One UI 8?
It focuses on minimalism and transparency, offering a middle ground between iOS polish and One UI’s extensive features.