Nothing has launched an open beta for Android 15 paired with Nothing OS 3.0 across various devices, including the Nothing Phone 2, Phone 2a, and CMF Phone 1. Now, users with the Nothing Phone 2a Plus can also join the Android 15 beta test.
The Nothing Phone 2a Plus stands out as an unusual smartphone. It belongs to the recent trend of manufacturers introducing devices that feel “new-but-not-really.” The Phone 2a Plus shares much of its design and functionality with the Nothing Phone 2a, but it slightly enhances the specifications.
For those struggling to identify the distinctions between the models, the Phone 2a Plus is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro processor, while the Phone 2a utilizes the Dimensity 7200 Pro. Additionally, it only offers a 256GB storage option, omitting the 128GB variant found in its predecessor, and features a 50MP front-facing camera compared to the 32MP of the Phone 2a. Overall, the differences are minimal, as almost everything else remains the same.
If you own the Nothing Phone 2a Plus, you can now experience the Android 15 beta, joining users of the Nothing Phone 2, Phone 2a, and CMF Phone 1.
The Android 15 beta featuring Nothing OS 3.0 officially became available on December 12, 2024. It carries the same update notes and installation process as the other mentioned devices. To install it, users need to download an APK and follow the instructions provided by Nothing. If the beta experience doesn’t fit your needs, a rollback method is available to revert to the stable Android 14 version.
Currently, the only device from Nothing that has yet to receive the Android 15 beta update is the Phone 1.
Here’s a summary of the new features:
- Shared Widgets
- Interact by sharing widgets with friends and family, allowing their widgets to be displayed on your home screen.
- Lock Screen Enhancements
- Access a new customization page by long-pressing the lock screen or via the customization settings.
- Upgraded clock styles for personalization.
- Increased widget space to add more widgets to the lock screen.
- Smart Drawer Feature
- This AI-powered capability automatically organizes apps into folders for easier navigation.
- Pin your favorite apps at the top of the drawer for quick access.
- Quick Settings Overhaul
- Refined the design of Quick Settings for improved user experience.
- Redesigned widget library for better aesthetics.
- Updated visual elements in Settings including enhanced Network & Internet and Bluetooth options.
- Camera Upgrades
- Faster access to the camera via the Camera Widget.
- Reduced processing time for HDR scenes.
- Improved UI post-countdown for shooting photos.
- Enhanced zoom slider display for better usability.
- Pop-up View Improvements
- Enhanced functionality for multitasking with movable pop-up views.
- Easily resize by dragging the corners, and pin it to the screen edge for quick access.
- Additional Updates
- AI-driven prioritization for frequently used apps to keep them readily accessible.
- Introduction of an auto-archive feature for efficient storage management without deleting apps or data.
- Partial screen sharing capability for secure recording of selected app windows.
- Updated setup wizard for a smoother initial experience with Nothing OS.
- New fingerprint and charging animations featuring a distinctive dot matrix style.
- Note:
- Currently, Shared Widgets are exclusive to Nothing devices, supporting only square Photo Widgets at this time. More widget types are on the way.
- As Shared Widgets are still in beta, users may encounter some bugs.
