As Android 15 is nearing its official launch, many smartphone makers are inviting users to test the upcoming update through beta programs. Nothing also recently launched its Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta program based on the latest Android OS.
But in a surprising twist, the company’s budget-friendly Phone (2a) received the update first, leaving its flagship Phone (2) out in the cold for the time being.
Why Phone (2a) received Android 15 update before Phone (2)
Akis Evangelidis, co-founder of Nothing, addressed this unexpected rollout strategy in a statement on social media platform X.
Traditionally, new software updates land on a company’s top-of-the-line devices first. While Akis acknowledged that many expected the Phone (2) to be the first beta recipient, he explained the decision boiled down to technical optimization.
Much like other OEMs, Nothing relies on chip manufacturers like Qualcomm and MediaTek to adapt major Android updates to their processors.
In this case, Akis explains that MediaTek completed the optimization for the Phone (2a)’s Dimensity 7200 Pro processor faster than Qualcomm did for the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 used in the Phone (2).
So rather than wait for the Phone (2) implementation to catch up, Nothing opted to prioritize early user testing with its budget device.
“We wanted one of our users to start testing it as soon as possible,” says Akis. “This way, we can gather feedback and ensure we’re ready to roll out the public release of Nothing OS 3.0 by the end of the year.”
Looking forward, the co-founder acknowledges the need to prioritize its flagship devices as the company expands its product portfolio.
While the Phone (2a) gets early access to the beta, the Nothing OS 3.0 update for the Phone (2) isn’t far behind. It’s set to roll out in November, with other phones, including the Phone (1), Phone (2a) Plus, and CMF Phone 1, receiving the update in December.
(Source)
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