ChiragDudeja A clarification about the CMF Phone 1’s Android update policy
I’ve seen a lot of people asking Nothing to provide Android 17 (Nothing OS 5.0) for the CMF Phone 1, and I’ve also seen claims that the phone was promised three major Android updates.
So, let’s clear up the confusion.
The CMF Phone 1 was launched in July 2024 with Android 14 and came with the following official software update policy:
- 2 years of major Android updates
- 3 years of security updates
This means the phone was promised two major Android version upgrades, not three. With Android 15 and Android 16, Nothing has fulfilled its original commitment to major OS updates.
The important thing to understand is that security updates and major Android updates are two different things.
Major Android updates introduce new Android versions, potentially bringing changes to the interface, features, APIs and underlying system. Security updates, on the other hand, address vulnerabilities and help protect the device without necessarily changing its Android version.
But why can’t the CMF Phone 1 get Android 17?
The word can’t is not entirely accurate. There is a difference between a phone being technically capable of running a new Android version and the manufacturer committing to develop, test and release it.
A major update requires software development, hardware and driver compatibility work, testing, bug fixing, optimization and ongoing maintenance. It also requires resources from the company.
Nothing has committed to two major Android updates for the CMF Phone 1. That doesn’t mean the hardware is automatically incapable of running Android 17. It means the company has not committed to delivering that additional major update.
Why won’t Nothing release another major update?
There can be several reasons a company chooses not to extend software support, including development costs, engineering resources, product priorities and long-term maintenance. However, unless Nothing explicitly confirms its reasoning, we shouldn’t assume which of these factors is responsible for its decision.
It’s also worth remembering that releasing an additional major update isn’t simply a matter of making Android 17 available for download. The manufacturer needs to ensure the software is stable and works properly with the phone’s hardware.
What about the people saying Nothing promised 3 major updates?
The official policy is 2 major Android updates and 3 years of security updates. These are separate commitments, and the three-year security-support period should not be interpreted as three major Android upgrades.
Does that mean CMF Phone 1 is now obsolete?
Absolutely not.
A phone doesn’t become obsolete simply because it stops receiving major Android version upgrades. It can continue to make calls, run supported apps, browse the internet and perform everyday tasks. It can also continue to receive security patches during its remaining promised security-support period.
A final thought
It’s completely fair for CMF Phone 1 users to request Android 17. Customers can ask a company to extend its support, and Nothing can choose to reconsider its policy.
But there’s a difference between asking for an additional update and claiming that the company failed to deliver an update it originally promised.
The CMF Phone 1 was promised 2 major Android updates and 3 years of security updates. Android 17 would be an extension of that commitment, not part of the original promise.
We can appreciate the phone, expect transparency from Nothing and still acknowledge the actual terms of its software update policy.
