We are excited to announce the release of our latest update: Nothing OS 3.1 for the newly launched Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro! The update will be available globally from 24 March and introduces significant improvements across the OS. We encourage all users to upgrade to the latest version for an enhanced system experience.

The big news is that Essential Key now works within the Nothing Camera app; capturing real-world content directly with a short press to add a note or a long press for voice input. This means users can easily separate their photography from their Essential Space photo reminders.

If you’ve just purchased the Phone (3a) Series product, we recommend connecting to the internet immediately after unboxing your device and performing the OTA update to the latest software version.

Essential Space is available to all Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro users and will continue to evolve over time. Our development roadmap includes:

  • Smart Collections
  • Focused Search
  • Flip to Record

In 3.1 there are also enhancements to the camera and Always On Display. Find the full changelogs below:

‎

What’s new?

Phone (3a)

💡 Essential Key now works in camera: capture real-world content directly with a short press to add notes or long press for voice input.
‎

Camera Enhancements
🔍 More intuitive camera zoom interaction.

🤳 Corrected the reddish skin tone issue in front-facing camera selfies.

🌟 Enhanced white balance in rear camera indoor scenes.

👤 Better clarity and tone when capturing portraits in backlight conditions.

⚡ Faster overall camera performance and responsiveness.
‎

Other Improvements
🖼️ Optimised Essential Space experience and performance.

⚡ Improved AOD (Always-On Display) transition animations.

🐞 Various bug fixes and stability improvements.‎

Phone (3a) Pro

💡 Essential Key now works in camera: capture real-world content directly with a short press to add notes or long press for voice input.
‎
Camera Enhancements
🔍 More intuitive camera zoom interaction.

🤳 Corrected the reddish skin tone issue in front-facing camera selfies.

🌟 Enhanced white balance in rear camera indoor scenes.

👤 Better clarity and tone when capturing portraits in backlight conditions.

📸 Improved focusing accuracy at 2x focal length.

⚡ Faster overall camera performance and responsiveness.
‎
Other Improvements
🖼️ Optimised Essential Space experience and performance.

⚡ Improved AOD (Always-On Display) transition animations.

🐞 Various bug fixes and stability improvements.‎

‎How to get involved:

As always, our updates are released gradually - see if the update waiting for you via Settings > System > System Updates.

Share your feedback by heading to Settings > System > Feedback or be part of the conversation by joining dropping your comments below ⬇️

⚠️ Disclaimer: 
During the upgrade, the system will optimise in the background. The device may experience temporary overheating and increased power consumption, but will quickly return to normal after the upgrade is complete.

    Related discussions

    It’s always nice to see updates with fixes and new features, camera mode for essential space is so cool! 🤩

    There should change in AOD but there is no change different types of AOD should be there customized aod but it’s not available.

    Love the update on the Essential Key in the camera! Now, we can double-press the power button and long-press the Essential Key to open the camera, capture the scene, start recording voice, and save it in the Essential Space. all without touching the screen! Noice!

    Is this feature comes to nothing phone 2 by having a shortcut on control center

    Bro I’m In finland I have the latest update I have the nothing phone 3a that I just got like5 days ago and like I have fully set up and updated I still dont get this update can anyone please help

    Rob ⚡️ Hi, I am getting a horizontal lines on my 3a for micro seconds and this can be observed easily in dark room. This only happens when the fingerprint icon turnoff.

    Can you help on this?

        Need new update fixing draining battery.

        I tried off all my functions but still not good.

        summerising process in essential space is taking a very long time, in fact in never finishes

        This is my first Nothing phone. I got the 3a. I love it. However…I find that sound overall is not okay. It should be better equalized, linear. Or maybe add a manual setting to have a more streamlined audio experience under the Sound and Vibration section?