Introduction

Nothing has announced its first-ever over‑ear headphones, the Nothing Headphone (1)—a sleek, transparent marvel tuned by KEF and packed with premium features. Designed for creators who demand stellar sound, powerful active noise cancellation (ANC), and long-lasting battery life, this headset challenges big players like Sony, Apple, and Bose at a more accessible price. Here’s everything you need to know.

Design & Dimensions

The Headphone (1) sports a distinctive see‑through aesthetic with aluminum and soft foam materials, delivering a striking yet comfy fit.

• Height: 173.85 mm
• Width: 78.0 mm
• Depth: 189.25 mm
• Weight: 329 g — lighter than Apple’s AirPods Max (386 g) but heavier than Sony WH‑1000XM5 (250 g).

Paired with a softshell carry case just 52 mm × 220 mm × 220 mm, weighing 264 g, it’s easy to transport .

Audio Performance

Drivers & Frequency

Featuring 40 mm PU dynamic drivers tuned by KEF, these headphones deliver deep bass, clear midst, and crisp highs across a wide 20 Hz–40 kHz range

Tuning by KEF

Collaborating with notable British brand KEF, Nothing ensures high‑fidelity audio and spatial sound capabilities

Smart Microphones

The 6‑mic system (3 per side) with AI‑powered algorithms supports real‑time adaptive ANC up to 42 dB, transparency mode, and bespoke call quality enhancements .

Noise Cancellation & Voice Clarity

Equipped with real‑time adaptive ANC that adapts to ambient noise up to 42 dB, and a 4‑mic ENC setup, you get impressive background noise blocking and transparent ambient awareness . Reviews confirm robust ANC, though call performance in high noise may suffer.

Battery & Charging

Nothing promises marathon playback with a 1,040 mAh Li‑ion battery:

• AAC playback: Up to 80 h (ANC off); 35 h (ANC on)
• LDAC playback: Up to 54 h (ANC off); 30 h (ANC on)
• Talk time: 53 h (ANC off); 37 h (ANC on)

Fast charging delivers ~5 hours of playback (ANC off) or ~2.4 hours (ANC on) with just 5 minutes of Type‑C charging. Full charge takes ~120 minutes .

Connectivity & Codecs

• Bluetooth 5.3, 10 m range
• Dual-device pairing
• Compatible with Android 5.1+ and iOS 13+
• Codecs: AAC, SBC, LDAC (Hi‑Res certified)
• Additional integrations: Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair, Media Browser API, on‑head detection, low‑lag mode, IP52 dust/water resistance

Physical Controls & Gestures

Designed to avoid touchpads, Headphone (1) uses tactile control mechanisms:

• Roller: swipe for volume, press to play/pause, hold to toggle ANC/transparency
• Paddle: right = next track/answer; left = previous/reject; holding enables fast forward/rewind
• Button: single press hops audio channel; hold summons smart assistant (Nothing Phone 3 integration supported)

LED indicators show battery and pairing status with red/white signals.

Sustainability

Nothing emphasizes green credentials:

• 14.84 kg CO₂e lifecycle footprint
• Assembly powered by 100% renewable energy
• Amazon Climate Pledge Friendly badge
• Plastic-free packaging

Price & Availability (India)

Launched July 1 globally, the Headphone (1) retails for ₹21,990 (~$299), with early-bird offers at ₹19,999 via Flipkart, Myntra, Croma, and more from July 15 . Available in Black and White variants

Pros & Cons at a Glance

Final Verdict

Nothing’s bold entry into over-ear headphones hits many right notes: KEF sound tuning, long-lasting playback, and intuitive controls—at a compelling price. Though the weight and call noise performance require consideration, if you value style-forward tech and immersive audio, the Nothing Headphone (1) is a premium pick for 2025.

Looking to upgrade your audio?

Order yours today on Flipkart or visit Nothing’s official India store for stock updates and availability!

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