Nothing OS 5.0 beta update Brings AI Tools but Misses Two Upgrades

Nothing OS 5.0 beta is now rolling out to the Phone (4a) Pro, and the 2.73GB update brings Android 17-based changes after a delay from Nothing’s original plan. The package focuses on day-to-day changes like a redesigned control center, new lock screen and home screen options, and deeper AI integration for beta users.

The Nothing OS 5.0 beta update brings new AI-powered tools to the Phone (4a) Pro, giving users more ways to interact with and manage their device. However, the beta reportedly leaves out two expected upgrades, making the update feel less complete despite its focus on AI features. Here’s what the Nothing OS 5.0 beta update adds and what is still missing.

Two expected upgrades are still missing, though. The new Glyph app is live, but Micrographics and the refreshed home screen redesign are not part of this beta yet, which suggests the October stable release will carry the fuller visual update.

Nothing Glyph app rollout adds custom lighting controls to Phone (4a) Pro

The most noticeable addition in this beta is the new Glyph app. It gives Phone (4a) Pro users direct control over lighting animations, ringtone schedules, and sound patterns, which makes the feature more practical than before. Nothing has long treated Glyph as part of its product identity, so this rollout matters beyond a simple software toggle.

For users testing the beta, the app changes how the phone feels in everyday use. Instead of treating Glyph as a side feature, Nothing is moving it closer to a core control layer. That does not change the hardware itself, but it does make the lighting system easier to use and more clearly connected to phone behavior.

Nothing OS 5.0 clock faces still exclude Micrographics at beta stage

Not every visual change is ready yet. Gooey is included in the beta, but Micrographics is still being held back while Nothing finishes development. The refreshed home screen redesign is also not ready at this stage, which leaves some of the more obvious visual updates out of the current build.

That means the beta is offering a partial look at Nothing OS 5.0 rather than the full package. Based on the rollout timing, the stable release in October is the version expected to carry the more complete visual update. For now, testers are getting an early look at the new software direction, but not the final version of it.

In practical terms, the Phone (4a) Pro beta feels like a work in progress. The big software changes are there, including the updated control center and the added AI layer, but the missing elements keep it from feeling finished. That is normal for a beta, although it does matter for users who were expecting the full set of visual changes in this release.

Even with the gaps, the update gives a clear sense of where Nothing is heading. The company appears to be pushing more system-level customization and more visible AI features, while still holding some design pieces back for the stable build. For now, Phone (4a) Pro owners on the beta track get the early version, not the final one.