Ear (3): Cut through the noise

Rob ⚡️ · 2025-09-18T12:18:00+00:00

https://youtu.be/6aSHIYP9F2I **Today we're launching Ear (3)! The next generation of our flagship True Wireless Stereo category.** Ear (3) combines precision acoustics, a Super Mic in the case, and a fresh design language that for the first time integrates metal components into Nothing's signature transparent aesthetic, setting a new standard for personal audio. **Super Mic & Noise Cancellation** At the heart of Ear (3)'s innovation is Super Mic. Housed within the charging case, this dual-microphone system driven by ambient-filtering technology, focuses on your voice and cuts through surrounding noise up to 95 dB, ensuring crystal-clear calls in any environment. Super Mic can be activated by pressing the TALK button on the case, offering clarity for quick conversations or extended discussions. Outside of calls, you can also capture Essential Space ideas instantly by recording directly from the charging case with Super Mic with a press of the TALK button. Voice notes sync to Essential Space and are automatically transcribed (requires Nothing OS). Further enhancing call clarity, each earbud incorporates three directional microphones combined with a bone-conduction Voice Pick-up Unit. The VPU detects micro-vibrations from the jaw and ear canal, converting them into electrical signals for precise voice pickup. This system, less affected by environmental noise, works alongside a multi-channel AI environmental noise-cancellation system, trained on over 20 million hours of real-world audio, to isolate your voice and suppress wind noise, achieving wind noise reduction levels of over 25dB. Real-time Adaptive Noise Cancellation (up to 45 dB in the buds) adjusts to your surroundings every 600 milliseconds and monitors fit-related leakage every 1,875 milliseconds. It updates the cancellation profile continuously, so isolation stays consistent as you move. **Sound** With Real-time Adaptive Noise Cancellation and an upgraded 12mm dynamic driver, Ear (3) provides rich, natural sound. A patterned diaphragm results in a 20% larger radiating area when compared to the previous generation, boosting bass response by 4-6 dB and treble by up to 4 dB for a wider soundstage, cleaner highs, and rich mids. ‎ ![](https://cdn.nothing.community/2025-09-18/1758186643-819810-fera-product-earbud-duo-16x9-large.jpg "banner") **Design** Ear (3) introduces a refined design that stays unmistakably Nothing. The signature transparent casing reveals the intricate inner acoustic structure, complemented by polished metal accents. A custom Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) antenna, just 0.35 mm thick, improves total radiated power by 15% and signal sensitivity by 20%, ensuring strong connections on the move vs the previous generation - Ear, which launched in April 2024. The charging case is crafted from 100% recycled aluminium and finished through 27 precision processes. Nano injection moulding fuses metal and plastic, removing the need for glue and achieving tight tolerances for a seamless, compact unibody. **Performance** With an upgraded 55 mAh battery in each bud, users can enjoy up to 10 hours of listening (without ANC, single use increase of 90 minutes vs Ear 2024), extending to 38 hours with the case. A rapid 10-minute USB-C charge provides up to 10 hours of playback and built-in wireless charging offers added convenience. Bluetooth 5.4 with LDAC ensures stable, detailed audio, while a low-latency mode reduces end-to-end delay to under 120 milliseconds for gaming and video. Ear (3) offers effortless pairing with Android (Google Fast Pair), iOS, and Windows (Microsoft Swift Pair). Via the Nothing X app, users can customise controls and select how to activate Essential Space or ChatGPT via the buds. Each earbud and the case are IP54-rated for resistance to dust, sweat, and light rain, ensuring durability for everyday use. ### **Price & Availability** Ear (3) is available now in black or white for £179 / $179 / €179 via [nothing.tech](https://nothing.tech) and select partners.

CMF1_hacker

Man, listening to the intro video, that super mic is excellent. Is all that processing done on the Ear (3) case or does it require a connection to the phone?

Oliver lebaigue

CMF1_hacker earbuds always work through the case. I think apple airpods might be the only exception though.

So when you connect to your earbuds, your not actually connecting to the buds, your connecting to the case wich then tells the phone data abt the buds, and tells the buds data about what to do.

So the answer to your question, just use the buds like normal and then use the case, won’t need anything special.

Nick_886

CMF1_hacker of course need connection, do you think ? 🤔

Z_Aid

CMF1_hacker hey Man. I know you have a Phone 3. Wanted to know how good the haptics are compared to Phone 2. I am planning to upgrade in the offer period. Is it comparable with the likes of oneplus or pixels ?

RapidZapper

Oliver lebaigue that’s incorrect

Buds are only working as a pair at most and not relying on the case

Termitis ☘️13☘️

Το NP 2@ που έχω υποστήριζει Bluetooth 5.4 with LDAC για να αγοράσω τα ear 3 από τα ear 2 που έχω τώρα ?

CMF1_hacker

Nick_886 I’m asking whether the advanced ANC is processed on the case or on the phone?

(why would you need connection? in essence, you should be able to record video on the NP3 using the ear-case as a mic and no internet connection is required at all).

in essence, the ear-case is serving at a hot mic with an “activate” button. it would be very interesting if the processing is performed on the case itself before being transmitted to the phone. that would justify the cost as the case isn’t simply a dumb-charging case but rather a mic with some decently heavy processing capability?

I haven’t looked for a teardown of the case itself but I’m sure one exists.

CMF1_hacker

Z_Aid I find them quite good compared to the CMF1 I have and compared to the OP12 we have in the house. there are some complaint on previous updates that the haptics are either on or off and that there’s no sliding scale (so people find them too strong). I’mm please with them and I’ve read that they’re the first NOTHING phone with “flagship” quality haptics but I only own a CMF1 in addition.

Tetrominoe

Rob ⚡️ plz make that case for the nothing ear open and my money is yours

praefectus

Rob ⚡️ Is it big improvement compared to latest ones?

4ki

DipanshMoorjani What might be the price in India? I reckon it’s gonna be >15k

DipanshMoorjani

4ki I think ideally it should be either 15K or less than that…they are going for ear open at 10k so, Ear (3) shouldn’t be more than 15k…let’s see

Darius3a

179 eur is a bit steep. I am unsure if the brand is still there to be asking for this price. I’d get them for 120 eur max. At 179 they are at the same price as AirPods 4. Do you guys think it’s a bit overpriced?

CMF1_hacker

Darius3a I thought the same and starting digging into the super mic and what hardware is required and it’s quite I tested g at least for me. Possibly worth the price but I don’t have a use case.

paresh_jp

Rob ⚡️
I am a WF-1000XM5 owner, with Ear(a) as my backup pair, would love the switch over to a pair of Nothing as my mains but until it is best in class in noise cancellation (passive+active) I’m not so sure on this.

I would pay £250 for that

flo_rahil

Just caught up with all the latest stuff.

I love the design refresh and it makes sense to align this with the 3 series.

However, I don’t know how much more you can improve with the audio quality at this point.

Last one was phenomenal already.

Case microphone has some great specific use cases though. Great addition.

It must be very difficult to think about the constant evolution of something that is already so close to perfection.

vshravan01

When is india release?

tokyo72

My Nothing Ear 3 has shipped. Hopefully arrive tomorrow 🙂

AndyN

I can’t fault the build quality on these, they’re great, but it still feels / sounds like you’re underwater when they’re in. I’ve tried setting custom sound profiles and every setting I can find but the pass through is still very poor sadly. I’m not sure if I’m ’using them wrong’ or something, but it feels and sounds like having two fingers in your ear, just like the older models did. Maybe that’s normal and the AirPods have just set my expectations too high for alternatives?

Santhoshk_WHpWJV0ZUy

Hi Nothing hardware Engineer,

I have been using nothing for almost 3 years… I have been using nothing ear 2 for a year and I have disappointed with the glue which you are using to stick the stem (cos, when user press on stem, it splits)… I have replace my ear once since it was in warrenty…now again the glue is off and branded service centres are not ready to accept to glue it again… my money is getting wasted…

For atleast nothing ear 4, have round or square tube and attach those with main head which improves durability. Also recommend to use aluminium stem and have round or rectangular cut and add transparent plastic from inside which will increase durability more…

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