Today, Nothing is launching its third iteration of earbuds with the Nothing Ear and Ear (a), enhancing an already well-received product line. These earbuds will be available starting this month, with Nothing introducing several improvements. A significant upgrade is the active noise cancellation (ANC).
Both the Ear and the more budget-friendly Ear (a) now feature ANC capable of up to 45db of noise cancellation, an increase from the previous 40db. This improvement, according to Nothing, makes the noise cancellation nearly twice as effective, further supported by a new “Smart ANC algorithm”.
Battery life has also seen enhancements. The first and second iterations, Ear (1) and Ear (2), offered only 4 hours of playtime with ANC active. The new models extend this considerably; Ear now runs up to 5.2 hours, and Ear (a) achieves 5.5 hours on a single charge. With ANC off, these numbers increase to 8.5 and 9.5 hours, respectively. The charging case for Ear (a) also now holds up to 42.5 hours of charge without ANC.
Each set of earbuds is equipped with 11mm drivers for improved sound output and supports dual connection mode over Bluetooth, allowing them to connect to two devices simultaneously. Early impressions suggest that the audio quality of both earbuds is impressive, maintained through the Nothing X app, which manages settings for both models. They also support Google Fast Pair for quick connectivity.
A new feature for this generation is the adoption of “pinch” controls, which are also seen in earbuds from brands like OnePlus. Discussing differences, Ear and Ear (a) are quite similar in performance, with minor distinctions. Ear (a) offers less water resistance and a smaller case, does not support fully custom EQ settings, and lacks wireless charging, unlike its counterpart. However, both models are very comparable in everyday use.
Colour options have been expanded with both models available in black and white, and Ear (a) introduces a striking yellow option. Nothing describes this new addition as a nod to the company’s commitment to transparency, emphasizing the purity of primary colours and introducing a playful, vivid yellow to their lineup. In terms of technical features, Nothing Ear includes LHDC 5.0 support, while both models support LDAC for high-quality audio.
Pre-orders for Nothing Ear and Ear (a) start today, with shipments set to begin on April 22. The pricing remains competitive, with Nothing Ear priced at $149, consistent with its predecessor, and Ear (a) set at $99, positioning it as a substantial upgrade over the previous Ear (stick).
