UK-based smartphone brand Nothing, co-founded by Carl Pei, has rolled out the Open Beta of Nothing OS 4.0 for its Phone (3a) series. The new update introduces a fresh feature called Lock Glimpse and, for the first time, pre-installed third-party apps on select non-flagship devices. While the company calls it a move toward “user-focused innovation,” fans are curious — is Nothing slowly moving toward bloatware?
Lock Glimpse: A New Way to Refresh Your Lock Screen
One of the biggest highlights of Nothing OS 4.0 is the all-new Lock Glimpse feature. It’s designed to bring dynamic, high-quality wallpapers to your lock screen, curated across nine categories such as nature, architecture, art, and more.
To use it, users simply need to swipe left from the lock screen, but by default, the feature is turned off. Nothing says Lock Glimpse is entirely optional and that no personal data is collected when it’s enabled — a reassuring move at a time when data privacy concerns are growing.
Interestingly, Lock Glimpse isn’t just about wallpapers. The feature may later include timely updates and useful content, such as weather info or event highlights. Future updates might even let users replace the standard wallpapers with their own photos, giving every unlock a personal touch.
Explaining the feature, Akis Evangelidis, co-founder of Nothing, said in a blog post, “We aim to integrate features in the most optimal way, while keeping everything under the user’s control.” The focus, he emphasized, is on reimagining everyday smartphone interactions without overwhelming the user.
Is Nothing Introducing Bloatware?
Perhaps the most surprising part of this update is the company’s decision to include curated third-party apps on some devices — a first for the brand known for its minimalist approach.
In the past, Nothing stood out for shipping phones with near-stock Android and almost no unnecessary software. But now, the company says it will begin pre-installing select popular apps like Instagram, depending on the device model.
According to Evangelidis, this shift isn’t about bloating the user experience but about strategic partnerships and financial sustainability. “We operate on razor-thin margins and must make deliberate choices to deliver a high-quality user experience while remaining financially sustainable,” he wrote.
The co-founder stressed that all pre-installed apps will remain easy to remove, and users will always have complete control over what stays on their phones. In some cases, these integrations could even enhance functionality, such as improving camera performance or sharing content more seamlessly across platforms.
Balancing Innovation and Independence
Nothing’s approach reflects the tough balance that smaller smartphone brands must strike in today’s competitive market. While giants like Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi have deep pockets to fund software innovation, independent companies often have to find creative ways to stay profitable without compromising user trust.
Evangelidis acknowledged this reality in his post, saying that building a new smartphone brand from scratch comes with immense challenges — from high entry costs and complex supply chains to fierce competition in both hardware and software innovation.
He emphasized that Nothing remains committed to transparency, promising to keep users informed about future software changes, pre-installed apps, and system updates. The company also encouraged users to share feedback to help refine Nothing OS further.
What This Means for Users
The new Nothing OS 4.0 beta rollout offers a glimpse into the brand’s evolving identity. Lock Glimpse gives users a fun and refreshing way to personalize their phones, while the addition of third-party apps signals a more business-savvy — and possibly more mainstream — approach.
However, for long-time fans who loved Nothing’s minimal, bloat-free interface, the inclusion of pre-installed apps could be a red flag. Whether users will see this as a thoughtful enhancement or an unwanted intrusion remains to be seen.
As of now, Nothing OS 4.0 Open Beta is available for users of the Phone (3a) series, and feedback from early testers will likely shape the stable release. The company’s future direction will depend on how users respond to this blend of personalization and practicality.
Final Thoughts
With the Nothing OS 4.0 update, the brand continues to redefine what it means to deliver a clean yet capable smartphone experience. Lock Glimpse puts creativity back in the user’s hands, while select third-party integrations hint at a more mature — and pragmatic — phase for the company.
The big question now is whether Nothing can maintain its signature minimalist charm while experimenting with new features and partnerships.
Only time — and user feedback — will tell whether this new chapter marks innovation or the start of unwanted clutter.
