Nothing Ear (a) Review: This year, the British technology startup Nothing has been on a spree of offerings, including a range of products from mobile phones to earbuds. In what can be termed as its latest launch, the brand has introduced its fresh lineup of earphones, including Nothing Ear and Ear (a). In this review, we shall explore, along the affordability factor, the features and upgradation Nothing Ear (a) has to offer compared to other devices in its segment. 

Nothing Ear (a) Review: Design

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Akin to the Nothing devices, the Nothing Ear (a) also dons the similar look; however, the yellow colour renders it a fresh profile that is not too flashy. Weighing 39.6g, the case features a transparent design made up of plastic, which is prone to scratches. The buds look cool with a semi-transparent stem and yellow-coloured cavity design. Nevertheless, the snappy sound felt while shutting the case or putting the buds back inside is a soothing proposition. The pairing button can be located inside the case. The case also has an LED light, showcasing the battery status. Additionally, the device comes with IP54 certification.

Nothing Ear (a) Review: Connectivity

The connectivity aspect of Nothing Ear (a) is seamless when pairing with Android devices. The device supports the Google Fast Pair feature, which enables it to connect smoothly once the case is opened in proximity to an Android device and the on-screen instructions are followed. For non-Android devices, the device has Bluetooth 5.3 support. Notably, the device supports pairing with two devices simultaneously.  

Nothing Ear (a) Review: Nothing X app and customisation options

Powered by the Nothing X app, the Nothing Ear (a) provides customisation options to both Android and iOS users. The customisation feature encompasses functions like controlling the active noise cancellation and bass enhancement, among others. The app also displays the battery status of both the case and earbuds. Significantly, the app offers the option for the integration of ChatGPT with Nothing smartphones, which is remarkable. Furthermore, the earbuds are equipped with pinch control features, enhancing the user experience. 

Nothing Ear (a) Review: Sound quality

The sound quality of Nothing Ear (a) is clearly on par with contemporary devices doing rounds in the market. It delivers deep bass and clear output across different frequency bands. The audio is detailed, and one can comfortably feel instrument separation while listening to complex music tracks.  Moreover, the presence of preset equalisers lets users customise the audio output as per their music taste. 

Nothing Ear (a) Review: ANC and other features

The Active Noise Cancellation feature of Nothing Ear (a) works perfectly, particularly considering the price range. The brand claims it to have a noise-blocking capacity of up to 45dB, which is commendable. Users can seamlessly switch between the ANC mode and the transparency mode through both the Nothing X app or the earbuds. It also boasts an adaptive ANC feature, which is extremely helpful in noisy surroundings. The users can even adjust the passthrough intensity in the adaptive ANC feature, with options like low, mid, and high. The call quality is also decent with this device, as it seamlessly switches to ANC mode to ensure smooth calling. Additionally, the device comes with features like LDAC audio codec, enabling a seamless multimedia experience while streaming hi-res content, in-ear detection, and more. 

Nothing Ear (a) Review: Battery

Powered by a 500mAh case and 46mAh for each bud, the Nothing (a) offers a robust battery backup. Nothing claims that the case, on a single charge, lasts up to 40.5 hours without ANC, while it can stretch up to 24.5 hours with the ANC enabled. Similarly, the buds can go on for about 9.5 hours with ANC off and for 5.5 hours with ANC on. It features a USB-C type charging for wired charging and also supports 2.5W wireless charging. 

Nothing Ear (a) Review: Verdict

The Nothing Ear (a) is a stylish device with a range of features, including enhanced audio quality, robust noise cancellation feature backed by clear voice technology and the presence of three microphones in each bud. The ChatGPT integration feature that comes with the Nothing X app further elevates its 'unmissable sort of a device’ status. With decent battery life and customisation options, the Nothing Ear (a) is poised to give tough competition to devices in the premium segment. 

Nothing Ear (a) Review: Pros and Cons

Pros: 

• Good ANC
• Provides good fit

Cons: 

• Build quality not so premium
• Bass dominates the audio output