Nothing OS 4.0 on CMF Phone 1: Coming to the end of 2025, the CMF Phone 1 has firmly established itself as the so-called budget phenom that is punching far above its weight. The official release of Nothing OS 4.0, which is Android 16-based, took the largest headline of the last week of December. This update is a notable one, as it probably belongs to the last large-scale OS update on the device, and Nothing has not skimed the boat to make it a true swan song performance of the modular smartphone.
The Last Update: Nothing OS 4.0 (Android 16)
CMF commenced the public release of Nothing OS 4.0 on December 26, 2025. This giant update, which is larger than ever, introduces the most recent Android 16 functionality to a device that most people initially believed would be left behind.
- Extra Dark Mode: An elegant dark mode but goes blacker, to a so-called pitch-black, a feature that is intentionally meant to conserve less energy on the Super AMOLED screen on the phone.
- Playground (Alpha): An earlier community project where users are able to install AI-enhanced core applications, custom camera presets, and custom EQ profiles.
- Visual Refresh: New status bar icons, updated Nothing-style application iconography, and two new lock screen clockfaces.
- Multitasking and Privacy: There is a newly introduced feature of using two floating applications at the same time called Improved Pop-up View. Moreover, the feature of Hidden Icons is the one that has finally enabled apps to be totally hidden in the App Drawer.
Performance Analysis: Still a King of Speed?
The MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset of the CMF Phone 1 is already a year and a half old, yet still manages to perform current tasks with relative grace.
- System Fluidity: According to the users, the Nothing OS 4.0 update has actually made the system more tactile in nature. Navigation by scroll and gesture also seems less jagged than in the previous version of the OS.
- App Optimization: In settings (Settings > Apps), a new App Optimisation option is stated to accelerate startup times by pre-loading common data.
- Camera Post Processing: The camera post-processing is one of the most important silent ones. The primary sensor has a 50MP and has been very good with highlights, eliminating the problem of overexposed selfies and washed out rear colors that haunted the device earlier in the year.
X Factors: What Makes It Unique in late 2025
- Modular Longevity: The CMF Phone 1 has become a cult phone when it comes to its removable backplate, something other low-end phones are being discarded. Backplates, accessories (such as magnetic card holders and tripods) are now 3D-printed more than ever before.
- Software Cleanliness: Nothing OS has the clean, advertisement-free experience as its biggest competitive edge in a market full of bloatware in the low-end segment.
- Android 16 Early Access: A phone getting a stable Android 16 build is a major topic of conversation in tech circles, particularly since many flagship rivals are waiting to get it.
Social Media Response: The Final Reckoning
The online discourse regarding the CMF Phone 1 is one of victory and reminiscence.
- Reddit and Community Forums: The users of the Nothing Community are already referring to OS 4.0 as the best version so far, and many of them report that the phone feels like a new one. Nevertheless, it remains sad that it is the final significant Android release (followed by security patches only).
- X (Twitter): Tech experts are leaking the Extra Dark Mode screenshots, where the aesthetic of the Nothing ecosystem is praised.
- Constructive Criticism: Not everybody is effusive. Certain users have complained of battery drain right after the update- another normal experience during the indexing of the background when switching to a major OS upgrade.
Pro Tip: This is a significant update to Android 16, so it is strongly suggested that you save your data and have at least 50 percent of a battery charge on before starting that download.
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