Nothing has officially unveiled the Nothing Ear (3a) introducing some exciting upgrades to its budget-friendly true wireless earbuds.
While the price remains unchanged, this new model brings in some handy features that make it feel like a more significant upgrade than you might think.
With onboard storage, call recording, and improved noise cancellation, the Ear (3a) is clearly designed for those who want more than just the basics in their earbuds without breaking the bank.
Audio Snapshot and onboard storage
One of the most interesting new features is Audio Snapshot. This lets you capture short clips of whatever you’re listening to directly from the earbuds.
It works with a simple pinch gesture and uses 32MB of built-in storage. Once saved, the clip appears inside the Nothing X app, where you can replay it, edit it, share it, or even turn it into text with transcription.
This feature can be handy for saving music moments, voice notes, or even quick ideas on the go.
Call and meeting recording support
Another standout addition is call recording. The Nothing Ear (3a) can record calls and meetings for up to two hours.
Importantly, the earbuds play a notification sound when recording starts, so everyone on the call is aware. This makes it useful for work calls, online meetings, or interviews.
Improved sound and noise cancellation
For audio, Nothing has upgraded the earbuds with 12mm dynamic drivers and support for Hi-Res Audio Wireless and LDAC.
Users also get an 8-band equaliser, allowing more control over sound tuning.
The company claims the new 45dB Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is about 17% better than the previous model and works across a wider range of frequencies. That should help block more background noise in busy places.
Connectivity, comfort and durability
The Nothing Ear (3a) comes with Bluetooth 6.0 and supports dual-device connection, so you can switch between your phone and laptop easily.
For comfort, there’s now an extra-small ear tip option, making it a better fit for more users. The earbuds also carry an IP54 rating, meaning they can handle dust and light splashes.
Battery life and charging
Battery life is another strong point here.
- Up to 10 hours on a single charge
- Up to 42 hours total with the case (ANC off)
- Around 25 hours with ANC enabled
A quick 5-minute charge gives about 1 hour of playback, which is useful when you’re in a hurry.
The charging case also includes a three-stage LED indicator to show battery levels at a glance.
Price and availability
The Nothing Ear (3a) is priced at $99, keeping it in the affordable category.
It is available in four colors:
Black, White, Yellow, and a new Pink option, and can be purchased through Nothing’s official channels.
Source: Nothing
Nick, the Co-founder of Earbuds Arena, is a seasoned freelance tech journalist with over ten years of experience covering wearables, apps, headphones, and gadgets. When he’s not immersed in the tech world, you’ll likely find him unwinding with video games, going for a run, or enjoying a game of soccer on the field.
