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Nothing Phone (2) owners will not see the Android 17 update, according to a recent explanation from the company’s CEO, Carl Pei. The Phone (2) originally launched in 2023, and the decision not to provide the update stems from technical constraints with the device’s underlying software.
Kernel Limitations Halt Android 17 Support
During a Reddit session, Pei explained that the Phone (2)’s kernel is too old to support Android 17. He added that the chipset vendor has also confirmed this limitation, meaning a software workaround is not possible. Despite this, Nothing initially pledged three years of OS updates but has delivered four, exceeding the original commitment.
Pei clarified a point of confusion regarding the number of updates received, stating that Nothing has fulfilled its initial promise of three major OS updates after initially suggesting four. He said the company believes it has been fair to customers, providing support beyond the originally stated timeframe.
Continued Security Updates, Future Flagships
While Android OS updates are ending with the current version, Nothing will continue to provide security patch updates for the Phone (2) until 2027. Users seeking access to Android 17 will need to upgrade to a newer Nothing device, such as the Phone (3) or other recent releases.
Looking ahead, Nothing has confirmed it will not release a Phone (4) in 2026. According to the company, rising component costs are the reason for skipping a 2026 flagship, meaning the Phone (3) will remain Nothing’s top-tier device until the Phone (4)’s eventual launch in 2027.
