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When Nothing released the $179 flagship None Ear (3) Last year, the noise-canceling earbuds added a unique feature: a “super” microphone built into their charging case, which was supposed to improve voice calling performance. This feature is not available on the new, more affordable Nothing Ear (3a) buds. However, they are We are Equipped with 32MB of built-in flash storage that allows you to record up to 2 hours of audio directly to the buds by pressing the stems of both buds simultaneously. The Nothing Ear (3a) are available now for $99 in four colors, including a new pink option, and come with an extra-small ear tip in addition to the existing sizes.
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Nothing Says The recording feature is powered by Audio Snapshot and lets you instantly clip the media you’re listening to, “whether it’s an online lecture, or a saved voice note from a friend.” You can also record calls, with the recordings automatically syncing to the Nothing All participants receive an audio alert when a call is recorded.
None has made a name for itself by offering attractive, well-performing products, including phones, earphones and headphones, at more affordable prices than premium brands. Nothing Says The Ear (3a) includes a new 12mm dynamic driver designed to deliver “deeper bass and greater detail.” The headphones’ noise cancellation is also improved over its predecessor (by 17.1%, according to Nothing), with “stronger noise reduction across a wider frequency range, especially between 400Hz and 2000Hz, where a lot of everyday environmental noise occurs.”
They’re very similar to the previous “Nothing” earbuds.
As for audio codecs, the Nothing Ear (3a) supports SBC, AAC and LDAC codecs, and although the headphones do not have spatial audio with head tracking, they do have a “static” spatial audio mode.
No earbuds have typically offered such strong performance in voice calling, and the Nothing Ear (3a) has three microphones in each earbud that work in conjunction with an AI-powered noise reduction system.
There’s no mention of wireless charging, but the charging case has been redesigned, with a “rounder, friendlier silhouette.” Battery life is rated at up to 10 hours on a single charge with noise cancellation and a total of 42 hours of playback with the charging case. Annoyingly, the Nothing offers battery life on a single charge with the noise cancellation feature turned on. Instead, it says you get up to 25 hours of total battery life, which likely means around six to seven hours on a single charge with noise cancellation enabled.
Once I get my hands on the Nothing (3a), I’ll let you know how they sound and perform compared to the more expensive Nothing (3) and competing earbuds that cost around $100. I’m looking forward to trying out this new audio recording feature.
