Nothing has rolled out the Nothing OS 3.1 update for its latest devices, the Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro. This update is now available globally and brings several enhancements, including a key new feature—Essential Key support in the Camera app.
The Essential Key, a unique hardware button on Nothing phones, now integrates with the camera. This makes capturing photos more convenient. With this update, users can capture photos instantly with a short press of the Essential key. The long press enables voice input to add quick notes.
Nothing OS 3.1 also brings significant improvements to the camera system across both devices. Here’s a list of improvements:
- Smoother zoom controls for a more intuitive experience.
- Fixed reddish skin tones in front camera selfies.
- Enhanced white balance for better color accuracy in indoor shots.
- Improved clarity and tone in portraits captured under backlight.
- More accurate focusing at 2x zoom (exclusive to Phone 3a Pro).
- Faster camera performance, making the app more responsive.
Beyond the camera, Nothing has made several refinements to enhance the overall user experience. It has optimized Essential Space for smoother performance. The company has also improved Always-On Display (AOD) animations for better transitions. The update also includes several Bug fixes and stability improvements to refine the OS.
Nothing has confirmed that Essential Space will continue to evolve, with future updates bringing Smart Collections, Focused Search, and Flip to Record. These features are expected to improve content organization and interaction within the phone’s interface.
How to Get the Update
If you have not received the Nothing OS 3.1 update yet, you can check manually by going to:
Settings > System > System Updates
For new Phone (3a) users, Nothing recommends connecting to Wi-Fi and installing the latest update immediately after unboxing to ensure the best experience.
