Nothing Phone 3a BIG Update Private Space, AOD, Macro Camera & 4K 30fps Video Improvements

By
Prashant Kumar
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The latest June update for the Nothing Phone (3a) has landed, and it brings some much-requested fixes and feature boosts. This one is a big deal, not just because of its size—671 MB—but also because it improves real issues that users like me have faced day to day. From better privacy controls to camera tweaks and a stronger Always On Display, this update touches just about every corner of the Nothing OS experience.

I’ll guide you through what’s new, how the update process went for me, what’s improved, and a few tips to make the most of your Nothing Phone (3a). If you’re curious about the nitty-gritty, want to avoid pitfalls, or just want to see how the phone has shaped up after this update, you’re in the right spot. Let’s jump in.

Update Overview and Installation Experience

The update for the Nothing Phone (3a) packs 671 MB of fixes, tweaks, and security boosts. It runs on Nothing OS 3.1 (not 3.2 yet) and focuses on the most-used parts of the phone: Private Space, the camera, the system core, and Always On Display (AOD). It also brings the latest Android security patch.

How I Installed the Update

Here’s exactly how my update process went:

  1. Opened Settings and tapped on System Updates.
  2. Started the 671 MB update download. My internet was steady, so the download finished quickly.
  3. Once downloaded, the phone started installing the update. This took about 14 minutes and 45 seconds—pretty standard for a file of this size.
  4. After installation, I rebooted the phone to complete the process.
  5. Headed to About Phone to confirm the update. The system reports Nothing OS 3.1.
  6. Security Patch now shows May 1, 2025.

I didn’t run into any snags during the install. The phone rebooted and started fresh, feeling smooth right from the lock screen.

Summary of the update:

  • Size: 671 MB
  • Version: Nothing OS 3.1 (no 3.2 available yet)
  • Key fixes: Private Space compatibility, always-on display, camera stability, security patches, smoother animations

If you like following unbiased smartphone updates and want to keep up with future news, I’d recommend subscribing to Techie Fan on YouTube for early alerts.

Detailed Breakdown of Key Features and Fixes

Nothing finally tackled some Private Space issues that have bugged a lot of users. If you haven’t tried Private Space, it’s a spot in your phone where you can stash private photos, files, and even apps away from prying eyes. But before this update, unlocking it wasn’t always smooth, especially if you used fingerprint or PIN security.

The June update fixes these compatibility bugs. I tested Private Space after updating, and everything—from fingerprint unlocks to PIN access—worked every time. But there are still a few gotchas:

Private Photos and Files

Another thing to know: if you save photos or videos inside Private Space, you can’t move them back out to the main gallery or share them easily. This keeps things secure, but it’s a pain if you ever want to unhide something later.

Always On Display (AOD) Enhancements

If you rely on AOD to check the time or notifications at a glance, you’ll notice a smoother, more stable experience after the update. The phone has always supported customizable AOD, and now it feels more reliable with fewer random freezes or glitches.

You can personalize the AOD to show the clock, notifications, or even custom text and styles. With this update, there’s no lag when waking the phone, and everything animates fluidly across the lock screen.

General System and App Fixes

Several app-level annoyances are now gone. Here’s what’s better:

  • Launcher: Accessibility problems resolved, so icons and folders behave as they should.
  • Gallery: Fewer hiccups when scrolling through photos or switching tabs.
  • Other apps: faster loading, less stuttering, and no ghost touches on most menus.
  • Animations: Opening and closing folders or switching between apps is much smoother now.

Bullet list of core general fixes:

  • Launcher and gallery accessibility bugs squashed
  • System and app animation performance boosted
  • The overall system feels more responsive
  • Fewer random app crashes

All these touchpoints make the phone less frustrating and more enjoyable to use.

Security Patch Details

Security is always a big deal. This update patches the Android system up to May 1, 2025. The Google Play System update remains at April 1, 2025.

Keep your security patches current—you get new protections against hacks and malware.

I recommend checking for updates every month or two to stay safe.

Camera Enhancements and 4K 30fps Video Fix

Photography fans get a treat. There were issues with the Macro Camera mode before—sometimes it would miss focus or fail to launch. Those are gone with this update, and macro shots now look crisp and reliable every time.

Video shooters will also notice that 4K recording at 30 fps works properly. Previously, I’d seen frame drops and playback issues, especially with longer clips. Now, video stability is solid, and there is no more file corruption or jumpy footage at high resolution.

Key camera upgrades summarized:

  • Macro mode stability improved
  • Reliable focus and launch for close-up photos
  • 4K 30fps video records smoothly
  • No more dropped frames in high-res video

User Experience After the Update

After updating, the Nothing Phone (3a) feels smoother across the board. App transitions are fast, folders open without delay, and there are no random slowdowns or stutters. The whole system experience is now much closer to what I expect from a phone in this price range.

The improvements to Private Space and the camera make the phone easier and safer to use as my daily driver. It feels like Nothing listened to real feedback with this update.

Conclusion

The June BIG Update for the Nothing Phone (3a) is more than bug fixes—it feels like a full polish to core features. From private data management to reliable video capture, nearly every key part of the phone runs better. Sure, there’s still room for making Private Space smarter and more flexible, but the groundwork is much better now.

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