The first version of Nothing OS came out in 2022 with the Nothing Phone (1). Then came Nothing OS 2.5 update, which was released in late 2023. It was based on Android 14. This update didn’t completely change the look. But it made the whole phone feel smoother. It added new gestures, customisations. The OS has done small fixes that made a big difference in everyday use.
One of the best things about the 2.5 update was that it worked on the devices. In September 2025, Nothing is getting ready to launch Nothing OS 4.0. But the Nothing OS 2.5 update is still remembered as one of the best and most important updates. In this article, we’ll look at the Nothing OS 2.5 features, eligible devices, rollout timeline, and other things. Let’s check all the details:
Also Read: Nothing OS 4.0 Release Date, Features And More!
Nothing OS 2.5 Eligible Devices
Nothing OS 2.5 update wasn’t made for every phone. It was mainly for the early Nothing devices that came out in 2022 and 2023. The company promised to give Android updates for 3 years and security updates for 4 years.
Here are the phones that got the Nothing OS 2.5 update:
| Phone | Launch Year | Main Features | Software Update Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nothing Phone (1) | 2022 | Fast Snapdragon 778G+ chip, cool glowing lights on back | Got a big update to Nothing OS 2.5 (from older Android 13 version) |
| Nothing Phone (2) | 2023 | Faster Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, better back lights | Got Nothing OS 2.5 first. Some came with it already installed |
| Nothing Phone (2a) | 2024 | MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro chip, simpler back lights | Got OS 2.5 with special camera upgrades for its two 50MP cameras |
One phone that didn’t get the update was the CMF Phone 1 (launched in late 2024). It skipped Nothing OS 2.5 update and went straight to OS 3.0. This is because it was a more budget-friendly phone.
Even though the Phone (1) was the oldest, Nothing still gave it full support.
Nothing OS 2.5 Features
With the NothingOS 2.5 update, Nothing made small but super useful changes. These changes made the phone feel smoother, smarter, and better. It was more about refining what was already good. Here’s the Nothing OS 2.5 key features:
Wallpapers & Icons:
You can set dynamic wallpapers that will change with the time of day or your background colour. It even supported custom icon packs and monochrome themes for a clean look!
Also Read: Nothing OS 3.0 Release Date, Features And Supported Devices!
Widgets & Gestures:
There are new interactive widgets. These include a weather one that worked with the Glyph lights. For example, they will pulse when it’s raining.
One-handed gestures made it easier to use the phone. There were things like swiping from the side to switch apps.
Performance Features:
In this Nothing OS 2.5 update, the App now opens faster. You can switch between apps smoother. This is thanks to better RAM handling. Phone 2 could go up to 12GB virtual RAM
Users said their battery lasted 10 to 15% longer when the phone was idle. That’s great for school days!
Camera Improvements:
The new TrueLens Engine made photos look more real and colourful. Even the Portrait mode got better at cutting out the background cleanly. The ultra-wide shots looked sharper.
Smarter Glyph Lights
The Glyph Interface had new effects for music, timers, and app notifications. If you use Spotify, it will control the lights to match the music. You can also see the battery levels through small light pulses.
Quick Settings:
The quick settings menu was redesigned. They were more compact with nice animations and easy Glyph access.
Privacy & Safety:
With the Nothing OS 2.5, there was more control over what apps can do. The new Android 14 theft protection is there to make your phone stay safe even if stolen.
Bug Fixes:
The update fixed problems like flickering lock screens and Wi-Fi display issues.
Other New Features
- ChatGPT widgets added!
- Game mode updates
- Monthly security patches
Also Read: Realme UI 6.0 Release Date, Eligible Devices, And Features!
Nothing OS 2.5 Update Rollout Timeline
Nothing did the staged rollout with the Nothing OS 2.5 update. They started with beta versions and slowly released the stable version. This helped fix bugs early and made the update smoother. Here’s the rollout timeline:
| When | What Happened | Phones | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2023 | Beta 1 released | Nothing Phone (2) | Early features like new TrueLens camera, bug fixes |
| December 2023 | Phone (1) joined beta testing | Nothing Phone (1) | Tested older phone for heat and slow issues |
| January 2024 | Beta 2 released | Phones (1) and (2) | Added gesture controls and smoother animations |
| December 15, 2023 | Stable update started | Nothing Phone (2) | Final update sent over Wi-Fi, about 4 to 5GB in size |
| January 31, 2024 | Stable update for Phone (1) | Nothing Phone (1) | Fixed issues found during beta testing |
| March 2024 | Update for Phone (2a) with camera improvements | Nothing Phone (2a) | Special update for its two 50MP cameras |
These were smaller updates that fixed bugs and added bonus features:
| Version | Date | Size | What It Did |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5.3 | March 2024 | 107MB | Made Phone (1) more stable |
| 2.5.4 | March to April 2024 | 200 to 300MB | Improved camera & animations (Phone 2a) |
| 2.5.5 | April 2024 | 206MB | Added ChatGPT widgets (Phone 2) |
| 2.5.6 | Mid to Late 2024 | 115MB | Security patches & new widget options |
Also Read: HyperOS 2.0 Eligible Devices, Release Date All Details List!
In A Nutshell
Nothing OS 2.5 update was a major update. It changed a lot of things for the brand. While other phone brands were adding too many apps, Nothing kept things clean and smooth.
Nothing has worked hard on custom wallpapers, cool Glyph lights, and even ChatGPT widgets. Even older models like the Phone (1) got the update. Let me know what you think about this in the comment section below. I would love to hear your thoughts.
If you’ve just bought a new phone and don’t know what to do with your old phone, then here’s your answer. Sell old mobile to Cashify and get the best price for it. If you are planning to buy a new phone, check out Cashify’s refurbished mobile phones. You can get your favourite phone at almost half price with six-month warranty, 15 days refund and free delivery.
