On Thursday, April 18, 2024, London-based consumer tech brand Nothing unveiled its latest generation of Truly Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds globally. The new offerings include the Nothing Ear and the Nothing Ear(A). The Nothing Ear is the successor to the previous Nothing Ear-2 model, while the Ear(A) is the brand’s new entry-level wearable product. Both TWS earbuds come with impressive features like 11mm drivers, different ANC profiles, and Ingress protection along with ChatGPT Voice AI. Additionally, both Ear and Ear(A) are compatible with the Nothing X application where users can customize and create their own sound profile, access to Equiliser, ANC controls and other features.
Nothing Ear, Ear (A) price in India
The Nothing-Ear and Ear (A) are priced at Rs 11,999 and Rs 7,999 and will go on sale in India on April 29. Both the Nothing-Ear and Ear A will be available for purchase through online and offline channels, including Flipkart, Croma, and Vijay Sales. Additionally, the Nothing-Ear and Ear A will be available at special launch prices of ₹10,999 and ₹5,999 respectively on Flipkart during the initial sale period
Nothing Ear, Ear (A) Specifiations and Features
Nothing Ear: The new Nothing-Ear is more akin to a “Nothing Ear 2.5” rather than a full-fledged upgrade. The design is virtually identical to the previous Ear 2, including the case design and available color options (transparent black or white). However, there are some notable improvements:
- Active Noise Cancelation (ANC) has been upgraded to up to 45dB, a significant increase from the 40dB limit of the Ear 2. The device also features Adaptive ANC, which automatically adjusts the noise cancellation level (high, medium, or low) based on the detected background distractions.
- Battery life is claimed to be better, the new Nothing-Ear is offering 5.2 hours of playtime with ANC enabled, compared to 4 hours for the Ear 2. Nothing is also claiming that the Ear will last up to 40.5 hours after a full charge with the charging case or 8.5 hours of non-stop playback. For quick power-ups, a 10-minute fast charge can provide users with 10 hours of listening time with the case.
- The earbuds now support high-quality audio codecs like LDAC and LHDC for high-resolution streaming over Bluetooth. The Nothing Ear can reach up to 1Mbps 24 bit/192kHz with LHDC 5.0, and up to 990kbps and frequencies up to 24 bit/96kHz with LDAC allowing for better sound quality on compatible devices.
- On the other hand, the driver size has been slightly reduced from 11.6mm in the Ear 2 to 11mm in the new Ear. However, this difference is likely not significant enough for most users to notice. Additionally, The Ear also has features like Dual Connection Low Lag Mode, Pinch controls and Integrated ChatGPT which users can access through a pinch-to-speak action.
- The new Nothing Ear features a Clear Voice Technology with a redesigned talk mic that allows for less obstruction when speaking on calls. Additionally, a new airway has been added to the stem, which provides a better path for wind, reducing interference by 60% compared to the previous Ear (2)
Nothing Ear (A): The Nothing Ear(A) earbuds occupy an interesting position in Nothing’s lineup. They are not a direct successor to the Nothing Ear Stick, but rather a more affordable alternative to the flagship Nothing-Ear model.
One key difference is the form factor – the Nothing Ear(A) are true in-ear earbuds, unlike the semi-open Ear Stick design. This allows them to incorporate active noise cancellation (ANC), a feature missing from the Ear Stick. The case design has also been overhauled, taking on a more compact and curved shape compared to previous Nothing earbud cases.
In terms of specifications, the Nothing-Ear(A) share many similarities with the Nothing-Ear. They use 11mm drivers, support LDAC high-res audio, and have a triple-microphone setup. However, there are some compromises – the case lacks wireless charging capabilities, and the diaphragm material is less premium (PMI + TPU instead of ceramic). However battery life is slightly improved on the Nothing-Ear(A), rated at 5.5 hours with ANC enabled, compared to 5.2 hours for the Nothing Ear.
Priced at Rs. 7,999, the Nothing-Ear(A) positions itself as a more budget-friendly option in Nothing’s lineup. They aim to bring some of the brand’s signature features and design to a wider audience. Overall, the Ear(A) can be seen as a more accessible alternative to the flagship Nothing-Ear, sacrificing some premium materials and features in exchange for a lower price point.
The Nothing Ear earbuds offer an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance, while their charging case has an IP55 rating. In contrast, the Nothing-Ear A earbuds have the same IP54 rating, but their charging case only carries an IPX2 rating. Both the Nothing-Ear and Ear A models support Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. The Ear(A) supports the SBC, AAC, and LDAC audio codecs, while the Nothing-Ear supports the LDHC 5.0 codec in addition to those.
