Nothing Ear (3a) launches July 7 alongside the Phone (3b)

By: Anton Kratiuk | today, 13:21

Nothing has confirmed its next budget earbuds, the Ear (3a), will launch on July 7 at 11:00 BST. The debut lands alongside the ultra-affordable Nothing Phone (4b), with a teaser video — shot on that same phone's camera — showing four color options: White, Black, Yellow, and Pink.

The basics

Pink is a first for Nothing's earbuds lineup, and the Ear (3a) keeps the brand's signature transparent housing. Beyond that, Nothing isn't saying much yet. No driver specs, no ANC details, no word on battery life, codec support (LDAC or otherwise), or whether wireless charging makes the cut — the previous Ear (a) shipped without it. Full specs are expected closer to Monday's reveal.

The Ear (3a) sits in the "a" series, which positions it below the standard Ear (3) — launched at €179 in Europe — and focuses on core fundamentals: a secure fit, stable Bluetooth connectivity, and tight integration with Nothing phones.

The price question

French leaker billbil-kun, who first reported the earbuds, puts the European price at around €99. That's the same figure the Ear (a) launched at in 2024 — a pair now available for €89, or roughly £49 in the UK. Official UK and US pricing hasn't been announced, but €99 historically translates to around £79–£89 in the UK and $99 in the US.

That makes the buying decision a bit awkward before the spec sheet drops. At £79, the Ear (3a) would cost roughly £30 more than discounted Ear (a) stock — a gap that needs clear technical justification. In the US, $99 puts it in direct competition with Samsung's Galaxy Buds FE and Soundcore's Liberty 4 NC, both of which come with proven ANC at similar prices.

What to watch for

Nothing's pattern is to hold back specs until launch day, so Monday's reveal should fill in the blanks — ANC performance, battery life, and case charging method are the three numbers worth waiting for. If the Ear (3a) lands with meaningful upgrades over the discounted Ear (a), £79 is a solid entry point. If not, the older model at clearance prices becomes the smarter pick.

The July 7 event starts at 11:00 BST. Nothing's announcement is live on X.