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| The Nothing Headphone (a) is now official |
London, UK – After generating significant buzz with the launch of the budget-friendly Phone (4a) series, Nothing is proving that its "affordable premium" strategy extends beyond smartphones. The London-based tech firm has officially unveiled the Nothing Headphone (a) , a more accessible variant of its over-ear cans designed to deliver the brand's signature transparent aesthetic and robust feature set without the flagship price tag.
Priced at €159, the Headphone (a) retains the core DNA of the original Nothing Ear (1) while introducing some surprising hardware upgrades, particularly in battery life. It is available to purchase globally starting today, though customers eager for the bold new colorways may have to wait a few weeks.
Familiar Tuning, Proven Drivers
At the heart of the Nothing Headphone (a) lies the same acoustic architecture that powered its predecessor: 40 mm dynamic drivers with a frequency response ranging from 20 Hz to 40 kHz. While the driver hardware remains identical, keen-eyed spec sheets will note that the "tuning by KEF" branding present on the original model is absent here. Nothing appears to have handled the sound signature tuning in-house to help keep manufacturing costs down, aiming to deliver a balanced audio profile that pleases mainstream listeners without the licensing overhead of a third-party audio giant.
Class-Leading Battery Life and ANC
Despite the "a" moniker often implying compromise, the battery performance on the new model is anything but. The Headphone (a) packs a substantial 1,060 mAh battery, resulting in some staggering endurance figures.
- With ANC Off: Users can expect up to 135 hours of playback (using the AAC codec).
- With ANC On: That figure remains impressive at 75 hours.
- LDAC Playback: For Android users who prioritize high-resolution streaming via the LDAC codec, the headphones still offer 72 hours (ANC off) and 50 hours (ANC on).
Nothing has also implemented its "Quick Charge" technology; a mere five-minute charge via USB-C provides up to eight hours of listening time, making it an ideal travel companion. A full charge from empty to full takes approximately two hours.
On the noise cancellation front, the Headphone (a) utilizes two dedicated microphones to deliver Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) capable of silencing sounds up to 40 dB. While this matches the raw depth of the original, the lack of KEF tuning suggests the noise cancellation algorithm may have been tweaked internally.
Connectivity and the "ChatGPT" Button
The Headphone (a) is future-proofed with Bluetooth 5.4, ensuring a stable wireless connection and improved energy efficiency. It retains the beloved ability to connect to two devices simultaneously via dual pairing, allowing users to seamlessly switch between working on a laptop and taking calls on a phone.
In a nod to the current AI boom, Nothing has carried over the dedicated "Function" button from the Phone (4a) philosophy to these headphones. Located on the right earcup, this explicit button can be customized to invoke a voice assistant, with ChatGPT integration being a key highlight for Nothing phone users.
For tactile control, the headphones feature:
- A dedicated power on/off switch.
- A physical pairing button.
- A classic paddle control for answering and rejecting calls.
Design: Transparent Roots, Bold Colors
Visually, the Headphone (a) stays true to Nothing’s industrial design language. The transparent, boxy housing for the earcups remains, giving the device the distinct "geek-chic" look that has become the brand's trademark.
However, Nothing is injecting a dose of personality into the lineup with the color palette. The Headphone (a) is available in four distinct shades:
- Black
- White
- Pink
- Yellow
The introduction of Pink and Yellow marks a departure from Nothing's typically monochrome releases, likely aimed at attracting a younger, style-conscious demographic.
Pricing and Availability
The Nothing Headphone (a) is priced at EUR 159 (approximately $170 USD / £135 GBP, depending on conversion and local taxes), positioning it as a direct competitor to other mid-range champions like the Sony WH-CH720N and Anker Soundcore Space One.
Starting today, the headphones are available worldwide through Nothing’s official website and select third-party retailers. However, potential buyers should note a slight delay in the rollout of the full color spectrum. While the White and Pink models are shipping immediately, the Black and Yellow variants will not hit shelves until April 6.
With the Headphone (a), Nothing is betting that consumers want the look and feel of a premium product, but with the battery endurance to last through multiple cross-continental flights—all at a price that doesn't break the bank.
Source(s): Nothing