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Nothing released Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta 2 for the Nothing Phone (2a) on November 11, 2024. Based on Android 15, the public beta refined Shared Widgets, Quick Settings, Smart Drawer sorting, camera processing, Pop-up View onboarding and performance, including support for a 90-fps mode in PUBG. It was an optional test build—not the stable Android 15 update—and required the first Nothing OS 3.0 beta build.
This release is now historical: Nothing OS 3.0 moved to a broader stable rollout in December 2024. Do not assume the beta OTA is still available in 2026 without checking Nothing’s current support channels.
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Nothing Phone (3) Cell Phone, 5G Unlocked Phones 256GB, Android 15, Snapdragon 8s Gen4, AI Mobile... | $699.00 | Buy on Amazon |
What Open Beta 2 was
Open Beta 2 targeted owners already running Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta 1 on the Nothing Phone (2a). Nothing identified the required starting build as Pacman-V3.0-240923-2135. It was not for the Phone (2), Phone (1), Phone (2a) Plus or CMF Phone 1.
The software was built on Android 15 and distributed as an open beta. Nothing warned that preview software could cause instability, temporary overheating, higher power consumption, data problems and, if you returned to stable software, a factory reset. The announcement and eligibility details are preserved in Nothing’s Community release post.
#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.
Features and improvements
Shared Widgets
Shared Widgets let you link a widget with a friend or family member, show that person’s widget on your home screen and interact through reactions. At launch, sharing was limited to Nothing devices, and only square Photo Widgets were supported. Nothing described the feature as still being in beta, so compatibility and behavior could change. It was not a universal Android, iPhone or third-party-widget sharing system.
Quick Settings refinements
- Smoother swipe animations.
- Improved transitions for the Bluetooth tile.
- Refined tile resizing.
- Better interaction with the ring tile inside the Quick Settings widget.
These were interface and usability refinements, not evidence of a measured system-performance increase.
Smarter Smart Drawer
Nothing said the Smart Drawer would categorize apps more accurately, automatically sort them according to usage habits and use AI-assisted selection and prioritization for frequently used apps. Newly installed apps could take time to appear in the correct category. “AI-powered” was Nothing’s label; the release notes do not establish cloud processing, a particular machine-learning architecture or specific privacy behavior.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteCamera changes
The release notes list more stable switching between camera modes, an upgraded HDR algorithm, improved HDR stability and photo quality, an optimized Portrait Mode and higher brightness when using Ultra HDR Mode. These are manufacturer-stated goals, not independently measured guarantees for every scene or handset.
Gaming and general performance
Nothing specifically named PUBG support for a high-refresh-rate 90-fps mode, alongside general bug fixes and performance improvements. That does not mean every game—or every regional variant such as BGMI—would run at 90 fps. Support could depend on the game build, region, graphics settings and thermal conditions.
Pop-up View onboarding
Open Beta 2 added an onboarding guide for first-time Pop-up View users. This improved discoverability; it was not a newly introduced multitasking system.
Who could install it?
The OTA was intended for eligible Phone (2a) owners already on Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta 1 and the required Pacman-V3.0-240923-2135 build. An announcement did not guarantee immediate delivery to every handset or region, and some beta participants reported waiting for the update.
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- Confirm that the phone is a Nothing Phone (2a) running Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta 1 on the required build.
- Back up important data before updating.
- Connect to reliable Wi-Fi and charge the phone sufficiently.
- Open Settings > System > System updates.
- Check for and install Open Beta 2 if the OTA is offered.
- Report problems through Settings > System > Feedback.
If the update does not appear, repeatedly checking or sideloading an unofficial package is not a safe workaround. Availability was staged, and unofficial firmware mirrors should be avoided.
Before installing: risks and preparation
- Back up photos, messages, documents, authenticator data and anything else that cannot be replaced.
- Do not make the beta your only phone for banking, work, travel, medical needs or two-factor authentication if failure would be costly.
- Expect possible app crashes, network or calling problems, inconsistent battery life and interface bugs. Community reports about the earlier beta are anecdotal, not a universal defect list.
- Temporary heat and increased battery consumption can occur while Android completes background optimization. Judge battery life only after that work settles.
- Some preview features can change or disappear before the stable release; a feature seen in one beta is not a promise for final software.
Rollback to Nothing OS 2.6
Nothing documented a rollback package in the official Community thread. The process was:
- Back up all data.
- Download the official Nothing OS 2.6 rollback package from the release thread.
- Open Settings > System > Update to Beta version.
- Tap Import file and select the downloaded package.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
Rollback was not recommended. It triggers a factory reset, so unsaved data is lost. Nothing also warned that the rollback package could cause unexpected software issues. If the updater reported an error, the official instructions said that creating a Documents folder in internal storage might help. Use only Nothing’s package and instructions, not third-party firmware sites.
What happened afterward?
Nothing OS 3.0 later progressed from beta testing to a general stable rollout in December 2024. The company’s OS 3 information page records the Phone (2a) beta context, while the stable-release discussion documents the later transition. Open Beta 2 features should therefore be understood as preview behavior; do not assume every detail reached stable software unchanged.
Should you install it?
For an enthusiast with a complete backup, a recovery plan and tolerance for crashes or changing battery life, the beta offered an early look at Shared Widgets, Smart Drawer automation and camera refinements. For a primary phone used for work, banking, travel or authentication, stable software was the safer choice—especially because rollback could erase the phone. In 2026, the practical decision is to use the latest supported stable build rather than search for this historical beta.
Quick Recap
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