Nothing’s Android 17 update debuts this week with redesigns, new apps, 3D emoji [Gallery]

Nothing announced Nothing OS 5.0, its Android 17 update, which will start rolling out in October with redesigned UI elements, more AI features, new apps, and support for Google's 3D emoji. The update begins with Phone (3) in mid-October and extends to other devices through mid-January 2027, with open beta builds starting August 26 on Phone (3).

Nothing has announced Nothing OS 5.0, its Android 17 update, which will start rolling out in October with some redesigned UI elements, more AI features, new apps, and support for Google’s 3D emoji too. Nothing OS 5.0 isn’t a complete overhaul, but it’s not a small update either. Rolling out starting in October, the Android 17-based update brings a host of new updates throughout. This includes various UI updates, including Pixel-like transparency/blur https://9to5google.com/2026/05/19/android-17-beta-1-blur/ on some homescreen widgets and in apps like Nothing Gallery, lockscreen clock faces, batch editing on the homescreen, new widgets, and even a new dedicated app for Nothing’s Glyph features. A condensed version of the changelog for Nothing OS 5.0 follows: - New font throughout the system UI - Status bar animations for feedback when changing connection modes, more - Camera app: Updated icons, QR links now stay fixed on screen once recognized - Nothing Gallery gets better sorting, album organization options - New homescreen personalization and batch editing - Lockscreen gets two new clocks and more color theming - Wallpapers add more depth and blur effects - New widgets: “Away Time” to show time not using your phone, “Collector” for sticker-like widgets on homescreen created from photos - Dedicated Glyph app for light controls, features, etc - Bluetooth controls upgraded in Quick Settings - Essential AI updates: - Essential Voice now shows a live preview of text while processing voice-to-text output - “Smart Collections” automatically sort Essential Space content - Essential Apps can now be built through an app on your Nothing Phone - Separate Quick Settings & Notification panels optional - Yellow AI privacy indicator - Noto 3D emoji also available on Pixel 11 https://9to5google.com/2026/08/19/google-pixel-11-new-android-3d-emoji/ Nothing says https://nothing.community/d/61730-nothing-os-50-new-features-explained to expect Nothing OS 5.0 Android 17 to start rolling out to Phone 3 in “mid-October,” with the rest of its supported devices – dating back to Phone 2a – being updated through mid-January. Open Beta builds will be available starting tomorrow, August 26, starting on Phone 3 and expanding to other devices in the coming weeks. Somewhat amusingly, Phone 4b is second-to-last in line, despite being the company’s newest smartphone. Nothing OS 5.0 Open Beta release dates - Phone 3 – August 26 - Phone 4a Pro – Early September - Phone 4a – Late September - Phone 3a Pro – Late September - Phone 3a – Late September - Phone 2a – Mid October - Phone 2a Plus – Mid October - Phone 4b – Mid December Nothing OS 5.0 release dates - Phone 3 – Mid October - Phone 4a Pro – Early November - Phone 4a – Early November - Phone 3a Pro – Early November - Phone 3a – Early November - Phone 2a – Mid November - Phone 2a Plus – Mid November - Phone 3a Lite – Late December - Phone 4b – Mid January 2027 - CMF Phone 2 Pro – Mid January 2027 More on Nothing: Nothing Ear 3a Review: Simply the best earbuds – and they’re only $99 https://9to5google.com/2026/08/07/nothing-ear-3a-review/ Nothing says it plans to release six smartphones next year, ‘wider range’ of devices https://9to5google.com/2026/08/06/nothing-2027-smartphone-release-plans-interview/ Nothing’s CMF is using AI-generated people to show off its new earbuds – everyone hates it Gallery https://9to5google.com/2026/08/05/nothing-cmf-ai-generated-people-marketing/ Follow Ben: Twitter/X https://twitter.com/NexusBen , Threads https://www.threads.net/@nexusben , Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/nexusben.com , and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nexusben FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More. https://9to5mac.com/about/ affiliate our homepage http://9to5google.com/ for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Google on exclusive stories https://9to5google.com/feature/exclusive/ , reviews https://9to5google.com/guides/reviews/ , how-tos https://9to5google.com/guides/how-to/ , and subscribe to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/9to5google