Nothing has begun distributing the Android 17 open beta (Nothing OS 5.0) for its Phone (4a), Phone (3a), and Phone (3a) Pro models, ahead of its full release scheduled next month. These devices join the Phone (3), which was first to receive the beta and revealed many of the visual, animation, and UI changes now expanding across the lineup.
What’s New in Nothing OS 5.0 Beta
The update introduces a fresh visual overhaul of the system UI and refined animations meant to deliver a smoother feel. It adds revamped widgets, updates to the camera app, and a specialized Glyph app for controlling light effects and features—a core part of Nothing’s design identity. These were initially uncovered in the Phone (3) beta and are now making their way to the 4a and 3a series. Users can expect Android 17’s underpinnings across these models, bringing up-to-date under-the-hood improvements and new OS behavior.
Beta Timeline & What’s Ahead
The rollout excludes the Phone (3a Lite) for now, but that model is expected to join the open beta later in 2026. Next in line are the Phone (2a) and Phone (2a) Plus, which should receive their beta in October. As for the stable, official Android 17 release, it’s slated for early November, with deployment wrapping up by January 2027.
These latest updates, aligned with Nothing’s previously outlined schedule, stay on track for those waiting for full Android 17 readiness across its midrange lineup.
Bottom line: If you own a Phone (4a), Phone (3a), or Phone (3a) Pro, you can now try the beta flavor of Android 17. Expect the full version soon—within the next few weeks.
