Nothing has officially begun rolling out lock screen ads to its devices, fundamentally shifting its original ad-free ethos. Dubbed "Dynamic Lock Screen Experiences," these sponsored content integrations arrived with Nothing OS 3.5, starting with the Phone (3). While enabled by default, the company swiftly issued a hotfix, 3.5.1, allowing easier opt-out after an immediate, albeit mixed, community backlash. Carl Pei stated this strategy aims to subsidize future hardware, potentially by 10%, and fund critical R&D. We're seeing unique "Glyph Ads" leveraging Nothing's distinctive LED interface for interactive promotions, a differentiator from competitors. However, many users feel this betrays the brand's minimalist promise. It's a bold move, but will the revenue outweigh the risk of alienating their core fanbase?
Nothing Initiates Lock Screen Ads with OS 3.5 Update, Igniting User Debate
HJ
Oct 31, 2025
•1 min read