Nothing Ear (3) is not just another pair of wireless headphones. It's an attempt to redefine what a case is - no longer just a charging case, but a microphone, communication tool, and design statement all in one.
Transparent corporate futurism Nothing continues. After the phone that flashed like a rave bracelet and the headphones that showed that plastic can look sexy, now comes the third generation of Nothing Ear (3). And yes, they're still transparent. But this time the surprise is somewhere else: the case itself has become a talking device. Literally.
A case that says “Super Mic”
The key innovation of Nothing Ear (3) is the feature Super MicInstead of relying solely on tiny microphones in the headphones, Nothing built them into the case. dual microphone and added a button to it TalkWhen you press it and bring the case to your mouth, you get something that resembles a futuristic walkie-talkie.
The technology is said to be able to filter out noise from the environment up to 95 dB, which in practice means that you can call someone even on a busy road, and they will still hear your voice, but not the honking. When connected to Nothing's phone, voice recordings are even automatically transcribed in the app Essential Space and sync across devices. Limitation? For now, it only works with certain apps (Zoom, Teams), but the potential is huge.
Design: still transparent, now also metallic
Nothing wouldn't be Nothing without its transparent aesthetic. But with Nothing Ear (3), it went a step further. The case is made of 100 % recycled aluminum, sanded through 27 processes, then bonded to plastic using a special nano-spraying technique, without a drop of glue. The result is a hybrid of metal and transparency that feels more “premium” than ever before.
The headphones themselves also get subtle metallic accents that make you feel like you're wearing a piece of tech jewelry, not just another white plastic drop in your ear.
Sound: More bass, more clarity with Nothing Ear (3)
Inside is an upgraded 12mm dynamic speaker with a specially textured membrane. This allows up to 6 dB stronger bass and a slightly more sparkling high-frequency range. ANC (active noise cancellation) can do up to 45 dB and adjusts on the fly every few hundred milliseconds, meaning less of that unpleasant vacuum feeling and a more natural sound.
Bluetooth 5.4 and support for LDAC The codec means that under the right conditions you will hear more detail than average Spotify compression can even provide.
Intelligent speech capture
Each earbud hides three microphones and an additional unit that detects jaw vibrations – which sounds like science fiction, but in practice means cleaner voice recognition during calls. The system is powered by AI that has been trained on millions of hours of real-world noise, from coffee shops to subways.
Battery and usability
On a single charge, the headphones last up to 10 hours (without ANC), and with the case up to 38 hoursThe case is of course charged via USB-C, and fast charging provides several hours of listening time after ten minutes on the cable. Durability is simply indicated by IP54, which means raindrops and dusty gym workouts won't be a problem.
Price and availability
Ear (3) cost 179 €/$/£ and will be available globally from September 25, 2025, and pre-orders are already open.
Conclusion
Nothing Ear (3) are both the company's most refined and most unusual headphones yet. Yes, they get better sound, nicer materials, and longer battery life, but the main story is Super Mic – a case that turns a passive piece of plastic into an active part of your communication. If it performs as well as Nothing promises, we've just got the first generation of cases that will become smart on their own.
