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.

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