Apple’s iPhone launch event on September 9 was heavily focused on the firm’s four new phones, with the ultra-slim iPhone Air taking centre stage. But the tech giant also introduced the AirPods Pro 3, the latest updated version of Apple’s high-end wireless earbuds.
The new earphones promise improved audio, as you might expect, but also Apple claims they have up to 2x better active noise cancellation as the previous AirPods Pro 2. Add to that Live Translation smarts and new heart rate sensors that kick in to record your vitals during workouts, the buds look like a solid upgrade, going on sale on September 19 for £219.
If you’re after new wireless earbuds but want to steer away from the Apple options, UK tech firm Nothing is teasing its next big release that could fill the gap for you. The company is famed for its design-first approach to Android phones and accessories such as earbuds.
Nothing announced via press release and a series of social media teasers that it will launch the Nothing Ear 3 on Thursday September 18. These look to be the brand’s latest premium tier earbuds, and seemingly mark a return to the numbering of its various models.
Nothing has previously released the Ear 1 and Ear 2 as well as last year’s Ear. Now it looks as though that was a bit too confusing, so now the fourth flagship earbuds from the firm will be known as Ear 3.
I personally loved the cheaper (and yellow) Nothing Ear A buds that came out last year. For £89 they offered much of what you could get from the pricier version.
There’s no word on the price of Ear 3 yet, though. The current gen Nothing Ear sell for £119, so hopefully we don’t see too much of a price increase. It’s also not clear if the Ear or Ear A will be discontinued, but Nothing has already revealed a fair amount about its new Ear 3.
“Ear (3) evolves the iconic design of Nothing’s previous generations, retaining the brand’s heritage of transparency while introducing metal components for greater durability and a premium finish,” Nothing said.
“Nothing is upgrading its design craftsmanship to achieve the ultra-slim design of the ear buds, minimising the clearance between components, and has also reengineered the metal antenna to a flat finish and controlled its thickness to just 0.35 mm, reaching the current industry limit.”
Images shared (such as the one above) show what Nothing says is 100 percent anodised recycled aluminium on the case, and buds themselves have metallic inserts under their transparent stems. Look closely and you’ll notice a button with the word ‘TALK’ printed on the case, which is mysteriously referred to by the firm as “a breakthrough Super Mic”.
There are no more details on how this could function, but a video posted on X (above) shows a close up on the other edge of the case of what could be a speaker or a microphone. Will these buds let you record audio using the case as a mic, as the TALK button could suggest?
Or is there a way to amplify your voice, megaphone style, through your phone? We’ll find out soon.
“With Ear (3), we’ve evolved our design language by focussing on the fundamentals: the engineering and the experience, resulting in an elevated product that looks and feels different, and functions in ways that are completely new to the industry,” said Nothing Design Director, Adam Bates.
“The approach to materials and processes, notably the use of anodised aluminium for the case structure and the earbud antenna, have enabled a product which is undoubtedly new, yet unmistakably Nothing.”