CMF Phone 1 Gets Nothing OS 4.0 Update: Nothing has recently begun its Android 16 rollout, which comes with the latest Nothing OS 4.0 skin at the top. It was none other than the Nothing Phone 3, the company’s first flagship phone, getting the first bite, and now we’ve better clarity about how and when the update will expand to the remaining models.
Nothing has announced a vague rollout timeline for Nothing OS 4.0 that doesn’t reveal the exact dates, but anyway, it’s better than not having one. As per the timeline, the remaining Nothing phones (except the Nothing Phone 1) will receive the Android 16 update over the coming weeks, and the CMF phones will join the party by the end of the year. As for the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite, it’s scheduled to receive the update in early 2026.
Nothing began rolling out the highly anticipated Nothing OS 4.0 update to the CMF Phone 1, bringing Android 16 to this popular budget smartphone. This major upgrade introduces a more refined and personal user experience, with visual refreshes, deeper system-wide customization, smoother animations, enhanced multitasking, and new community-driven features—all while maintaining the clean, minimalist ethos of Nothing OS.
The update follows a brief pause earlier in the rollout due to bug fixes and now extends to CMF devices after reaching flagship Nothing phones. For CMF Phone 1 owners worldwide, Nothing OS 4.0 represents the device’s final major OS upgrade (as per its 2-year policy), but it packs significant improvements that breathe new life into the 2024-launched phone.
Check for updates on your device via Settings > System > System Updates. Visit the official Nothing Community for changelogs: https://nothing.community/.
CMF Phone 1 Gets Nothing OS 4.0 Update Review: Rollout Details and Global Availability
Nothing announced the expansion of Nothing OS 4.0 on December 26, 2025, via its Community forum and social channels.
- CMF Phone 1: Rollout started December 26, 2025 (phased/staggered globally).
- CMF Phone 2 Pro: Expected in the coming weeks (early January 2026).
- Nothing Phone (3a) Lite: Early January 2026.
The update is ~2GB in size (build example: Tetris-B4.0-251216-1717). Availability varies by region—users in Europe, Asia, and other markets should see it progressively.
If not received yet, manually check in Settings or wait a few days.
Key New Features in Nothing OS 4.0 for CMF Phone 1
Nothing OS 4.0 focuses on refinement, consistency, and personalization:
- Visual Refresh: Redesigned Nothing app icons, updated status bar icons, new lock screen clock faces.
- Extra Dark Mode: Deeper blacks, improved contrast, extended to more system areas and first-party apps (reduces power usage).
- Customizations: Hide apps (from home screen and drawer), new widget sizes (e.g., 1×1, 2×1 for Weather, Pedometer, Screen Time), dual SIM ringtone settings.
- Multitasking Improvements: Refined Pop-up View (now supports dual windows), smoother animations optimized for CMF hardware.
- Playground (Alpha): New community platform (playground.nothing.tech) for sharing Essential Apps (AI-powered), Camera Presets, EQ Profiles.
- Camera Upgrades: New watermarks, artistic frames.
- Other Enhancements: Simpler Quick Settings layout, app drawer search improvements, Android 16 security/performance boosts.
| Category | New Features in Nothing OS 4.0 | Benefit for CMF Phone 1 Users |
|---|---|---|
| Visual & UI | Redesigned icons, status bar, lock screen clocks, Extra Dark Mode | Cleaner, more consistent monochrome aesthetic |
| Customization | Hide apps, new widget sizes, dual SIM ringtones | Greater personalization and privacy |
| Multitasking | Pop-up View 2.0 (dual windows), smoother animations | Better productivity on budget hardware |
| Community & Extras | Playground (Alpha) platform, new camera watermarks | User-created content and creative tools |
| System | Android 16 base, optimizations | Improved security, battery, performance |
How to Install Nothing OS 4.0 on CMF Phone 1
- Ensure at least 40% battery and stable Wi-Fi.
- Go to Settings > System > System Updates.
- Check for updates—if available, download (~2GB) and install.
- The device will restart multiple times.
Backup data beforehand. Phased rollout means not everyone gets it immediately.
CMF Phone 1 Gets Nothing OS 4.0 Update: Impact on Performance and Battery Life
Early reports indicate:
- Smoother overall experience due to optimized animations.
- Potential battery gains from Extra Dark Mode and Android 16 efficiencies.
- No major bugs reported post-resume.
Comparison: Before (Nothing OS 2.6/3.x) vs. After (Nothing OS 4.0)
| Aspect | Previous Nothing OS (Android 14/15) | Nothing OS 4.0 (Android 16) |
|---|---|---|
| Dark Mode | Standard | Extra Dark (deeper, extended coverage) |
| Widgets | Limited sizes | More options (1×1, 2×1) |
| App Management | Basic hiding | Full hide from drawer + dedicated section |
| Community Features | None | Playground (Alpha) for shared content |
| Animations/Multitasking | Good | Refined Pop-up View, tactile feel |
Why This Update Matters for CMF Phone 1 Owners Worldwide
The CMF Phone 1 (launched July 2024) promised 2 major Android updates + 3 years security patches. Nothing OS 4.0 delivers the second (Android 16), marking the end of major upgrades—but it’s a substantial one that modernizes the device significantly.
FAQs
When did Nothing OS 4.0 start rolling out to CMF Phone 1?
December 26, 2025 (phased globally).
Is Nothing OS 4.0 the last major update for CMF Phone 1?
Yes—per policy: 2 major OS updates (Android 15 → 16).
How large is the CMF Phone 1 Gets Nothing OS 4.0 Update?
Around 2GB.
Does it include Android 16 features CMF Phone 1 Gets Nothing OS 4.0 Update?
Yes, full Android 16 base with Nothing customizations.
Will CMF Phone 1 get security updates after this?
Yes, up to 3 years from launch (until ~2027).
How to check if the CMF Phone 1 Gets Nothing OS 4.0 Update is available?
Settings > System > System Updates.
Are there any known issues CMF Phone 1 Gets Nothing OS 4.0 Update?
Rollout resumed after bug fixes; early feedback positive.
Does it add Glyph Interface or other hardware features?
No—CMF Phone 1 lacks Glyph lights; focus on software refinements.
Where to learn more or report issues?
Nothing Community: https://nothing.community/ or Playground: https://playground.nothing.tech/.
Will custom ROMs extend support beyond official updates?
Possibly—strong developer community for Nothing/CMF devices.
