Nothing just announced the company’s flagship true wireless stereo earbuds, the Ear (3), as it had promised. The new model introduces several updates, including an integrated metal design and a “Super Mic” system located in the charging case.
Key Features and Technology
The Ear (3) features a design that incorporates polished metal components into Nothing’s transparent aesthetic. This new design includes a thin Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) antenna, which the company claims improves signal strength and sensitivity compared to the previous model. The charging case is constructed from 100% recycled aluminum.
A central feature of the Ear (3) is the Super Mic system, a dual-microphone setup housed within the charging case. Nothing states this system can filter ambient noise up to 95 dB to focus on the user’s voice during calls. The Super Mic can also be used to record voice notes directly from the case, which are then transcribed in the Essential Space app.
For additional call clarity, each earbud is equipped with three microphones and a bone-conduction Voice Pick-up Unit (VPU). This VPU detects micro-vibrations from the jaw and ear canal to enhance voice pickup. An AI-based environmental noise cancellation system, trained on a large dataset of audio, is designed to suppress wind and other background noise.
The earbuds feature Real-time Adaptive Noise Cancellation, which can reduce noise by up to 45 dB. The system adjusts the cancellation profile automatically, monitoring the user’s surroundings and the earbud’s fit.
Audio and Performance
The Ear (3) is equipped with an upgraded 12mm dynamic driver compared to 11mm in the predecessor. The company reports a patterned diaphragm design that is intended to boost bass and treble response, providing a wider soundstage.
Battery life is listed at up to 10 hours of listening time per earbud with ANC off, and up to 38 hours with the charging case. A 10-minute charge is said to provide 10 hours of playback. The case supports both USB-C and wireless charging.
The earbuds use Bluetooth 5.4 with LDAC support, but there is no mention of LHDC 5.0 which was present in the predecessor. A low-latency mode is available for gaming and video, with a reported end-to-end delay of under 120 milliseconds. Both the earbuds and the case are IP54-rated for dust and water resistance.
Nothing ear (3) specifications
- 12mm dynamic driver, PMI + TPU diaphragm
- Bluetooth 5.4, AAC, SBC, LDAC codec, Hi-Res audio, compatible with Android 6 and later and iOS 13 and later, Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair, Dual Connection
- Super Mic system, a dual-microphone setup housed within the charging case can filter ambient noise up to 95 dB
- In-ear detection
- Low Lag Mode (Automatically enabled in Nothing Phones, can be enabled from app for others)
- Up to 45db Personalised ANC, Environment Adaptive ANC, Frequency range: 5000Hz
- Smart Adaptive Noise cancellation with 4 modes (High, Mid, Low and Adaptive), Transparency mode
- Clear Voice Technology for call noise cancellation with 3-mics + VPU, improved wind noise resistance
- Essential Space, ChatGPT integration
- Pinch controls for play/pause, skip forward, skip back, answer/hang up calls, reject calls, switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode, launch assistant, control volume
- 8-band Equalizer, Profile Sharing, Personal Sound Profile
- Water-resistant (IP54 for buds and case)
- Dimensions Earbud: 30.5x 21.5 x 20.75mm;Charging box: 56×55.5×22.25mm
- Weight: Earbud: 5.2g; Charging box: 71.4g
- 55mAh battery in buds offers up to 10 hours (without ANC) / 5.5 hours (with ANC) music playback, 38h (without ANC) / 22h (with ANC) with 500mAh charging case, Qi wireless charging
- Fast charging– 10 mins for 10 hours (without ANC for earbuds + case)
Price and Availability
The Nothing Ear (3) will be available in black or white and is priced at USD $179 (Rs. 15,770 approx.) GBP 179/ EUR 179 depending on the market.
Pre-orders are scheduled to begin today, September 18, 2025, on nothing.tech and through select partners. General sales are set to start on September 25, 2025.