Nothing Ear 3 scores candy audio upgrades however double-duty case is the low-key star

[ad_1] <img class="e_Ih" decoding="async" loading="eager" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Nothing Ear 3 in case with lid open" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-in-case-with-lid-open.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-in-case-with-lid-open-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-in-case-with-lid-open-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-in-case-with-lid-open-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-in-case-with-lid-open-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-in-case-with-lid-open-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-in-case-with-lid-open-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-in-case-with-lid-open-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Nothing Ear 3 in case with lid open" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-in-case-with-lid-open.jpg"/> C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

TL;DR

Nothing has introduced its latest in-ear earbuds, known as the Ear 3. The Nothing Ear 3 options upgraded sound, improved microphones, and LDAC codec help. The case is constructed from recycled aluminum and options twin microphones, enabling it to operate as a standalone microphone.

After launching the Ear and Ear A final 12 months, Nothing shifted its focus to experimenting with offbeat audio merchandise, reminiscent of its open-ear earbuds and atypically formed headphones. Nevertheless, it’s now returning to a extra mainstream design with the upgraded in-ear model Nothing Ear 3 really wi-fi earbuds.

On the floor, the Nothing Ear 3 seem similar to the Ear (2024) and Ear 2 (2023), which themselves regarded much like the Ear 1 (2021). Nothing nonetheless follows the clear design language, although the inserts within the stem now have a metallic construct to them, which provides slightly premium aptitude.

<img class="e_Ih" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Nothing Ear 3 logo on single earbud" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-logo-on-single-earbud.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-logo-on-single-earbud-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-logo-on-single-earbud-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-logo-on-single-earbud-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-logo-on-single-earbud-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-logo-on-single-earbud-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-logo-on-single-earbud-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-logo-on-single-earbud-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Nothing Ear 3 logo on single earbud" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-logo-on-single-earbud.jpg"/> C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

The identical metallic end carries over to the case. Right here, the decrease half is now constructed fully of 100% recycled aluminum whereas the lid stays clear.

<img class="e_Ih" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Nothing Ear 3 in case with lid open" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-in-case-with-lid-open.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-in-case-with-lid-open-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-in-case-with-lid-open-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-in-case-with-lid-open-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-in-case-with-lid-open-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-in-case-with-lid-open-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-in-case-with-lid-open-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-in-case-with-lid-open-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Nothing Ear 3 in case with lid open" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-in-case-with-lid-open.jpg"/> C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

Amongst different upgrades, the charging case options two microphones. This setup, known as “Tremendous Mic,” can be utilized to file your voice identical to a transportable mic from manufacturers reminiscent of DJI. It relays the audio to the related cellphone or any machine by way of the earbuds whereas cancelling background noise as much as 95 decibels, emphasizing your voice even in extraordinarily noisy environments. The case will get a devoted “Speak” button that switches between the mics on the earbuds and the Tremendous Mic.

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The earbuds characteristic 12mm drivers, marking a slight improve over the 11mm drivers on the present Ear, Ear 2, and Ear A fashions. These additionally include PMI + TPU diaphragms, that are anticipated to supply higher sturdiness in comparison with the ceramic ones used on the Ear 2.

The Nothing Ear 3 characteristic adaptive noise cancellation as much as 45dB — similar because the Nothing Ear and a definitive improve over the Ear 2’s 40dB ANC.

<img class="e_Ih" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Nothing Ear 3 earbuds in a man's hands" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-earbuds-in-a-mans-hands.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-earbuds-in-a-mans-hands-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-earbuds-in-a-mans-hands-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-earbuds-in-a-mans-hands-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-earbuds-in-a-mans-hands-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-earbuds-in-a-mans-hands-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-earbuds-in-a-mans-hands-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-earbuds-in-a-mans-hands-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Nothing Ear 3 earbuds in a man's hands" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-earbuds-in-a-mans-hands.jpg"/> C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

Every earbud now contains a voice-pickup unit (VPU) that makes use of bone conduction to enrich three directional microphones, offering clearer audio enter. These mics, together with the VPU, can cut back almost 25dB of environmental noise, successfully eliminating fixed buzzing sounds reminiscent of wind, even with out participating the improved ANC.

In the meantime, the Nothing X app permits customers to create and save private audio profiles, along with letting them tune audio utilizing an eight-band equalizer.

The Nothing Ear 3 earbuds additionally provide help for the LDAC codec, which was beforehand lacking on the Ear 2 however was later added to the Nothing Ear. However apparently, there’s no point out of LHDC or true high-resolution (24-bit/196kHz) audio playback. Just like the earlier fashions, the Ear 3 work with each Android and iOS — although you’ll be restricted to AAC playback on the latter.

<img class="e_Ih" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Nothing Ear 3 in case" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-in-case.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-in-case-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-in-case-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-in-case-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-in-case-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-in-case-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-in-case-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-in-case-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Nothing Ear 3 in case" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nothing-Ear-3-in-case.jpg"/> C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

By way of battery, the Nothing Ear 3’s case will get a barely bigger 500mAh pack, and the earbuds get 55mAh cells inside them. Nothing claims that the batteries within the earbuds can last as long as 10 hours, whereas the case provides a further 38 hours of use with out noise cancellation. Naturally, utilizing ANC, switching to LDAC, or using the Tremendous Mic performance will drain the battery extra rapidly.

The Ear 3 case nonetheless will get quick wired charging, the place 10 minutes of charging permits 10 hours of playback. The case additionally will get wi-fi charging, however it could take two hours to cost totally.