Nothing Ear (3) rethinks what a charging case can do
The latest Nothing Ear (3), promises crystal clear calls thanks to a brand-new button.
Nothing is back with its latest true wireless earbuds, the Nothing Ear (3), and this time there’s something a little unusual about them. Alongside the sleek design and upgraded sound, the case itself has become part of the show.
The standout feature is a breakthrough system called Super Mic. Instead of relying only on the microphones inside the buds, Nothing has placed two microphones on the charging case. Press the relatively chunky, new “Talk” button on the side of the case, and you can use Super Mic for calls, memos, or voice notes through Nothing’s Essential Space app. The idea is to capture speech with extra clarity, with Nothing claiming the case microphones can outperform the buds themselves.
According to The Verge, early impressions suggest the difference isn’t huge, but it’s still a clever addition that might come into its own for those who use their earbuds for regular calls.
Super Mic looks like it could appeal to TikTok creators too, echoing the current trend for handheld microphones. But there’s a catch: the feature won’t work with the default camera apps on iOS or Android. Instead, you’ll need compatible third-party video apps such as Blackmagic.
Andrew Freshwater, Nothing’s head of global smart products marketing, told The Verge, “Most of these apps default to the phone’s native microphone and don’t give users the option to select another input. That’s an OS and app-level decision, not ours. We’d love to see this flexibility opened up so more people can benefit from Super Mic.”
The Ear 3 keeps Nothing’s signature transparent look, available in black or white, but this time with added metal components for durability and better antenna performance. The design incorporates recycled aluminium for a more premium finish.
Compared to the Ear (2), which had slightly lighter 4.5g buds and a smaller, lighter case, the Ear 3 is a bit heavier – 5.2g per earbud with a 61g case, totalling 71.4g – but the new metal reinforcements give it a sturdier feel. The semi-transparent style remains, but the additional weight likely makes it feel more solid and durable.
Inside, you’ll find 12mm dynamic drivers, spatial audio support, LDAC Hi-Res, and a personalised EQ tuned through an in-app hearing analysis test. Adaptive noise cancellation adjusts in real time, and the buds have an IP54 rating for dust and splash protection.
The Ear 3 offers 5.5–10 hours per bud, depending on whether you have ANC switched on, and up to 22–38 hours with the case. By comparison, the Ear (2) had 4–6.3 hours per bud and up to 36 hours with the case. Wireless charging and fast USB-C charging are included, just as before.
The Ear 3 are a nicely mid-range price of £179 / $179. This is slightly higher than the Ear (2), which launched at $149, but for the added durability and brand-new Super Mic feature it seems perfectly fair enough. Pre-orders are open now, with the official release on 25 September 2025.