Nothing’s rollout of the Nothing OS 4.0 beta — based on Android 16 — has drawn mixed reactions from users. The update, now available for several models including the Phone 2, Phone 3, and the 2a series, introduces a range of performance refinements and visual updates. But it’s one feature in particular, “Lock Glimpse,” that has sparked debate within the community. Initially mistaken for lock screen ads, the feature prompted backlash from early adopters who saw it as a departure from the company’s minimalist, ad-free design ethos.
Nothing has since responded publicly to clarify the controversy. In a community statement, the company explained that Lock Glimpse is not an advertising platform but an opt-in feature meant to deliver “fresh, high-quality wallpapers” and “timely updates.” According to Nothing, the feature is turned off by default and can only be activated manually through settings or by swiping left from the lock screen. Users can customize the type of content shown, select from different wallpaper categories, and disable it entirely at any time. Nothing also emphasized that no personal data is shared and that future updates will allow users to include their own photos within Lock Glimpse.
The company’s explanation shed light on the broader reasoning behind the feature. Building smartphones independently, Nothing noted, carries steep production costs, particularly as a young manufacturer without diversified revenue streams like software or services. With “razor-thin margins,” Nothing said it’s exploring “sustainable revenue models” that avoid raising device prices — especially for mid-range phones. These include a few “carefully considered” pre-installed apps that can be uninstalled, as well as optional features like Lock Glimpse to generate limited revenue without compromising user privacy or control.
While the transparency has been welcomed by some, skepticism remains. Many users view any step toward monetizing the lock screen as a potential erosion of trust, recalling past examples from larger brands that turned similar experiments into persistent advertising channels. As long as Lock Glimpse remains opt-in and unobtrusive, Nothing may avoid that fate. But the company’s willingness to acknowledge its financial constraints underscores how even design-focused startups are facing increasing pressure to balance brand identity with business sustainability.
For now, Nothing’s approach to Lock Glimpse serves as a cautious experiment: an attempt to test alternative monetization without compromising the clean, distraction-free experience that helped define the brand. Whether it stays that way depends largely on how closely Nothing adheres to its promise of user choice and transparency.
