Nothing Introduces Ear 3 Earbuds with Super Mic Charging Case
Key Points
- Super Mic system adds two microphones to the charging case.
- Talk button on case enables calls and voice notes when buds are connected.
- Super Mic works only with select third‑party video apps, not default camera apps.
- 12mm drivers support spatial audio, LDAC Hi‑Res, and personalized EQ.
- Metal reinforcement improves durability and antenna performance.
- Battery life: 5.5 hours with ANC, 22 hours total with case.
- Wireless charging capability in the case.
- Price set at $179; pre‑orders start today, release on September 25th.
- Transparent design available in black or white.
Nothing has launched the Ear 3 earbuds, featuring a transparent design, metal-reinforced case and buds, and a new "Super Mic" system that uses two microphones built into the charging case. The case includes a prominent Talk button that lets users make calls, voice notes, or memos when the buds are out of the case and connected to a phone. Ear 3 also offers 12mm drivers, spatial audio, LDAC Hi‑Res support, a personalized EQ, five and a half hours of playback with ANC, a total of 22 hours with the case, wireless charging, and a price of $179 with pre‑orders starting today.
Design and Build
Nothing’s Ear 3 continues the company’s semi‑transparent aesthetic, offering the earbuds in black or white with clear plastic that hints at the internal components. Both the earbuds and the charging case have been reinforced with metal parts, which Nothing says improve durability and antenna performance.
Super Mic Charging Case
The standout feature of the Ear 3 is the new "Super Mic" system. Two microphones are built into the charging case, and a prominent Talk button on the side activates them. Users can make calls, record voice notes, or capture memos through the case when the earbuds are out of the case and paired with a phone. Nothing claims the case microphones deliver clearer audio than the earbuds’ own mics, though early testing showed only modest improvement.
The Super Mic functionality is limited to certain third‑party video apps; it does not work with the default camera apps on iOS or Android. Nothing’s head of global smart products marketing, Andrew Freshwater, noted that this limitation stems from operating‑system and app‑level decisions rather than the hardware itself.
Audio Performance
Ear 3 houses 12mm drivers that support spatial audio, LDAC Hi‑Res streaming, and a personalized EQ that is tuned via an in‑app hearing analysis test. These audio technologies aim to deliver an immersive listening experience across multiple content types.
Battery Life and Charging
The earbuds provide five and a half hours of playback with active noise cancellation (ANC) engaged, and a combined total of 22 hours when the charging case is included. The case also supports wireless charging.
Pricing and Availability
Nothing has set the retail price at $179. Pre‑orders opened today, with a full release slated for September 25th. The naming sequence—moving from Ear 1 and Ear 2 to Ear, then back to Ear 3—has raised questions about the company’s numbering logic, but the product is positioned as a mid‑range offering with premium design cues.