Nothing Ear (1): Everything you need to know
Nothing launched its Ear (1) true wireless earbuds in summer 2021, hoping to take the crowded market by storm undercutting the big names like Apple, Sony and Bose while offering premium features like active noise cancelling (ANC).
While many things about the buds were drip-fed in the lead up to theSound of Change launch event, we now have all the information you need including a proper look at theearbudsthemselves as the design was kept a close secret.
When was the Nothing Ear (1) release date?
After the initial release date of 31 July and multiple limited drops, the Ear (1) headphones are now on general sale globally in 45 countries including the UK, USA and Canada via theofficial storeand ‘select retailers’ includingSelfridgesin the UK. In India, they are available viaFlipkart.
How much do the Nothing Ear (1) cost?
The Ear (1) cost$149/£149/€149/₹7,299, putting them just outside ourbudget category.
The buds actually launched at $99/£99/€99/₹5,999, but rose in October 2022, whichPei blamedon “an increase in costs.”
Still, they’re mostly cheaper than earbuds from big names likeApple,SonyandBosebut Pei still has to compete with his former company’sOnePlus Buds Z.
What are the Nothing Ear (1) specs?
We knew quite a few things about the Ear (1) specs and features before launch, including noise cancelling and long battery life, but there’s nothing left to hide now.
It’s the design we were all waiting to see and by the firm’s own words, the Ear (1) are “iconic” with a “stripped down aesthetic”. As expected, the buds also feature a partly transparent design like the case.
The buds themselves have a bud and stem design in one but are just 4.7g each and include pressure-relieving vents. They come with three sizes of liquid silicone tips.
For ANC, Nothing says the ‘state-of-the-art noise cancellation’ utilises three high definition mics and offers various modes depending on the situation you’re in. Light and Maximum are self-explanatory, while Transparency allows sound in from around you when needed.
There’s also Clear Voice Technology to reduce background noise during calls.
In terms of sonics, the Ear (1) buds have 11.6mm drivers and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity. The firm says, “The audiophiles at Teenage Engineering painstakingly dialled in the software and hardware for balanced bass, mid, and treble performance.”
There’s also a different kind of power on offer with up to 34 hours of total battery life. The Ear (1) can last up to 5.7 hours on their own and the case features ultra-fast charging so a 10-minute charge will give you up to 8 hours of life. The 570mAh case supports Qi wireless charging alongside USB-C.
Other specs and features include in-ear detection, fair pairing with Android phones and sweat and splash resistance (IPX4). The Ear (1) app on Android or iOS allows users to manage things like Gesture Control and Find My Earbud.
We discussed the Nothing Ear (1) headphones on our live podcast,Fast Charge episode 76, so check out what some of the team think by watching it back.
Author: Chris Martin, Reviews Editor, Tech Advisor
Chris got his break as a reporter at infamous site The Inquirer and has been at Tech Advisor for more than 12 years. With a BA degree in Music Technology, audio is his specialism, but over the years he has reviewed all kinds of gadgets, from smartwatches to mesh Wi-Fi to coffee machines.
