The Android community is eagerly anticipating the launch of Android 14 Beta 1, and tech enthusiasts can now rejoice in the news that the Nothing Phone (1) by Nothing will be among the eligible devices. With the Phone (1) being the only device in the Nothing lineup, this exciting development means that users of the phone will soon be able to experience the latest Android operating system before it is officially launched.
The upcoming Google I/O event is stirring up anticipation among Android enthusiasts, and we’re all eagerly waiting to get a glimpse of the major features that Android 14 will bring to the table. Moreover, the event is likely to give us access to the first batch of Android 14 OEM betas, which is sure to whet our appetites even more.
This is a significant development, as it means that users of a non-Google device will be able to experience the Android 14 beta firsthand. It also signals a potential shift in the Android landscape, as more OEMs could follow suit and offer beta access to their devices.
The Nothing Phone (1) will reportedly join the ranks of non-Google devices that will receive the Android 14 Beta 1 in the upcoming weeks. While no official timeline has been announced, the fact that Pixel series devices have already received the beta update means that the Nothing Phone (1) will be among the first non-Google phones to go through an independent preview phase. Historically, this phase has coincided with the start of the public-facing test phase for Pixel phones and the release of Android Beta update information.
While Google has been offering Android 13 Beta 1 and Android 14 Beta 1 updates over an extended timeline, the tweaks and tuning have been relatively minor compared to the major Material You overhaul. The Nothing Phone (1) has been running on the Nothing OS 1.5, based on Android 13, since mid-February, but it was released six months later than the Pixel series.
We are eagerly anticipating Google’s I/O keynote event, where we hope to learn more about Android 14 features, a revised timeline, and the initial Android partners that will provide dedicated Android 14 beta builds for their top-tier devices. Typically, these specific beta builds begin with a basic experience, but OEMs will then incorporate their own UX elements into them.
The Nothing Phone (1) is set to receive an early Android 14 Beta release, which could pave the way for a timely stable release later this year. However, it remains uncertain whether the upcoming Nothing Phone (2) will be eligible for the public preview when it hits the market in the near future.
With this Android 14 beta program, it’s possible that Nothing will expedite the stable release of its flagship device by Q4 2023. Perhaps, the Nothing Phone (2) will come equipped with Android 14 pre-installed? Only time will tell, but it’s always nice to dream.