British startup Nothing pulls support for its first Android phone — what you need to know

If you were one of the first people to switch to an Android phone from the British startup Nothing, you're about to receive your final software update. The award-winning designers have wrapped up software upgrades for the first-ever smartphone released by the brand, dubbed Nothing Phone (1), with a final security patch arriving this month.Nothing wrote in the community forum: Phone (1) is where Nothing OS began. It introduced our first ideas around a cleaner, more intentional smartphone experience, from the Glyph Interface and dot matrix design language to a more focused take on Android. Over the years, Phone (1) has grown with Nothing OS and helped shape the software experience we continue to build today. While this marks the end of its software lifecycle, the device remains highly usable and an important part of the Nothing story.Upstart brand Nothing, which is headquartered in London, launched in October 2020 and has launched a string of award-winning smartphones, wireless earbuds, and wearables. While it hasn't been around for long, the manufacturer has already secured a valuation of over 1.3 billion for the first time.Every Android has an expiration date, halting a set number of years after the device's release date. The Nothing Phone (1) comes with three years of major Android OS upgrades and four years of security updates. For those still using this mobile as their daily driver, the device won't suddenly stop working after its final install. It simply means that you won't be treated to any shiny new features or bug fixes going forward. However, it's the security updates that you really need to care about.These critical patches fix known weaknesses that criminals could use to break into your device. Without them, your phone becomes more exposed over time, even if everything seems perfectly normal on the surface. This matters most if you're using your phone for online banking, shopping, or accessing email and password managers. Those unpatched security holes can be exploited by malware, putting your sensitive information at serious risk.If you want to avoid these risks, then you might want to upgrade your mobile sooner rather than later.LATEST DEVELOPMENTSPopular messaging app discontinued on Galaxy phones TODAYStill using Windows 10? Microsoft extends security updates until 2027Millions of Freeview users warned of signal disruption — what you must knowWhatsApp's new privacy update will let you hide your phone number — how to enableThe good news? Nothing has significantly improved its offerings with its latest models.For instance, the Phone (3) — released last summer — is the first genuine flagship phone launched by the British start-up. It arrives equipped with better components, new AI features, and a higher price tag. It also comes with a much more generous support promise – five years of Android updates and seven years of security patches, nearly double what the original Phone (1) received.When the Phone (1) first hit shelves, it shipped with Android 12 and brought some genuinely distinctive design choices to the table.The Glyph Interface – that eye-catching LED light system on the back – became Nothing's signature feature, while the transparent rear panel let users peek at the phone's internals.These design elements went on to define every Nothing smartphone that followed.Over its lifespan, the handset received three major Android upgrades, with Android 15 arriving in early 2025 as its final operating system update. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter