Android
Nothing is ‘nothing’ in front of Samsung’s software support!
Finally, the flashy Nothing Phone 1 launched around two weeks back with a whole new yet unique rear design. While the Glyph functionality makes it an impressive smartphone, when it comes to design, the OEM is delivering better software support too!
The $475 Nothing Phone 1 is officially confirmed (via RPRNA) to receive three major OS upgrades and four years of regular security patches bi-annually, the same support OnePlus is offering to its flagships. Meanwhile, does it compete with Samsung’s software support?
Nothing is ‘nothing’ in front of Samsung
Yes, if we talk about the software updates support, Nothing is “nothing” in front of Samsung. While the first mid-range smartphone offers three generations of OS upgrades, Samsung offers the same treatment to the Galaxy A33, which costs less than $300.
On the other hand, the $449 Galaxy A53 5G comes with up to four Android OS upgrades alongside five years of regular security patches. In addition, the security patch rollout plan consists of two years of monthly, 3rd and 4th years of quarterly and 5th year of bi-annual updates.
Samsung One UI
Samsung is currently working on the Android 13-based One UI 5 software for the Galaxy devices. It will first be available for the Galaxy S22 series, while the company will expand its availability to other Galaxy devices later on. It’s expected that the One UI 5 official version will go official in October this year.
Aside from this, Nothing is a new vendor in the smartphone market with unquestionably lesser developers and staff compared to other brands such as Samsung and Chinese rivals like OPPO, OnePlus, and realme. It will be interesting to see how impressive software support Nothing will provide to smartphone consumers.
Nothing OS atop Android (12)
The initial variant of Nothing’s custom skin called Nothing OS is based on Android 12 OS. While the One UI software system is impressively developed to meet the expectations of the consumers, Nothing OS has just minor tweaks over the Stock Android we can see in Pixel phones.
The Nothing Phone 1 comes with a custom Snapdragon 778G+ chipset that Qualcomm made for the smartphone manufacturer. Also, the Phone 1 has a 6.55-inch 1080p OLED display with a peak brightness of 1,200 nits and a maximum refresh rate is 120Hz.
Google has kicked off the Developer Preview for Android 16, arriving earlier than expected. Usually, these previews begin in February, but Android 16 DP1 is launching three months ahead of schedule this year.
The earlier release of the DP1 is because Google has moved the official Android 16 release from the third quarter to the second quarter of 2025. It aims to ensure that more devices get access to the major Android updates sooner.
Android 16 DP1 is available for several Pixel devices, including the pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel Pro Fold, as well as the Android Emulator. It can be identified through version BP21.241018.009.
The Android 16 Developer Preview brings new features for app developers. It brings a system photo picker that will help apps give users a smoother, more integrated way to select photos without needing extra permissions.
Another new feature is Health Connect, which lets apps access and manage medical records in FHIR format, but only with user permission. The update also includes the latest version of the Privacy Sandbox for privacy protection.
This preview program runs from November 2024 until the final public release next year. Android 16 Beta Program will begin in January, with the final stable release expected in Q2 of 2025. Stay tuned for more updates.
Android 16 to make Quick Settings access easier with one-finger swipe
Google has released the first beta of Android 15 QPR2 for Pixel users. The update can be identified via build version BP11.241025.006. However, users are also waiting for the stable release of Android 15 QPR1 in December this year.
Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1 update comes with the November 2024 security patch. It is available for a wide range of Pixel devices, including Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, as well as the Android Emulator.
Quarterly Platform Releases are updates that bring more noticeable changes and new features compared to the usual monthly bug fixes. These updates are perfect for testing out bigger UI changes or new features that don’t need to wait for a full Android version release.
The QPR2 Beta 1 is the second major update for Android 15, with the final version expected to launch in March 2025 (via 9to5Google). This update brings the usual bug fixes, security enhancements, and new features to test.
Users participating in the beta program are advised to report any issues via the Android Beta Feedback app, easily accessible through the app drawer or Quick Settings. Install the update now to get an enhanced experience.
Android 16 to make Quick Settings access easier with one-finger swipe
Google is reportedly going to bring an interesting change with Android 16, which will no longer require two fingers to pull down the Quick Settings panel. Previously, there were concerns that users would need to swipe down with two fingers to bring up the Quick Settings. Fortunately, Google has decided to simplify this process.
With Android 16, accessing the Quick Settings will only require a single-finger swipe down on the right half of the status bar. The one-finger swipe access aligns it more closely similar to other Android manufacturers, like OnePlus and Samsung, have designed their systems.
Several users didn’t like the idea of needing two fingers to swipe down, as it felt more awkward and less convenient. By switching to a single-finger swipe for Android 16, Google will make it easier for users to manage their settings with less effort. A well-known tipster Mishaal Rahman (via Android Authority) spotted the code for this Quick Settings change.
However, the new design still lacks the ability to swipe seamlessly between the notifications and Quick Settings panels. Hopefully, Google will add this feature before the official release.
In addition to the swipe change, Android 16 will introduce resizable Quick Settings tiles and better categorization to help users find specific settings more easily.
However, these features are still being worked on and may not be fully ready in the current beta. They are expected to roll out in the final Android 16 release, which is expected in mid-2025.