Sound and the Super Mic
The Nothing Ear 3 provides a bass-heavy sound profile. I find the vocals and high-end sounds muddied when I use the default Balanced EQ preset. You can fix this by selecting the Treble preset in the Nothing X app. The 12mm dynamic drivers use a PMI dome and a thick TPU surround to increase bass. A dual-microphone system in the charging case acts as a Super Mic for better calls and voice memos. You press the TALK button on the aluminum and plastic case to switch the audio input from the earbuds to the case. This system isolates your voice from background noise up to 95 dB. You can also trigger ChatGPT by double-pinching the earbuds for AI questions. The Ear 3 uses Bluetooth 5.4 and LDAC for high-resolution audio. This allows for streaming up to 990 kbps at 24 bit/96kHz. The Nothing X app also lets you share custom EQ profiles via QR codes. Users can perform an ear tip fit test and use the Find My Earbuds feature. The app allows for dual-device connection, although enabling this feature slightly delays Super Mic activation. The total listening time reaches 22 hours with the case, and the earbuds include four sizes of silicone tips: XS, S, M, and L.
The Competition and Connectivity
The $179 price for the Nothing Ear 3 sits below the $249 price for the Apple AirPods Pro 3. While Apple uses Apple Intelligence to power Live Translation, Nothing provides ChatGPT access. The Ear 3 supports Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair. It also has a low-latency mode with an end-to-end delay under 120ms.
| Feature | Nothing Ear 3 | AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | $179 | $249 |
| Driver Size | 12mm | Not specified |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | Not specified |
| ANC | 45dB | 2x more than Pro 2 |
| Battery (ANC) | 5.5 hours | 8 hours |
The Ear 3 uses Bluetooth 5.4 and supports LDAC for high-resolution audio, but the battery life drops to just 3.5 hours per bud if you use LDAC with ANC enabled. The AirPods Pro 3 deliver 8 hours of music playback with ANC, which is a 33 percent increase over the previous generation. The AirPods Pro 3 also provide 10 hours of battery life in Transparency mode. The AirPods Pro 3 use a custom photoplethysmography sensor to measure heart rate and track over 50 workout types. Apple’s Live Translation is available in English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish. The company will add four more languages, including Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese, by the end of the year. Does the Super Mic satisfy users who prefer the audio quality of wired headsets?
Design and ANC Flaws
The redesigned charging case uses 100% anodized recycled aluminum and has a transparent lid. I find the transparency mode on these earbuds poorly executed. It amplifies background voices and blocks my own voice. The ANC system creates unwanted pressure and discomfort in my ears. The Ear 3 provides 45dB of noise attenuation, which is 7% more than the Nothing Ear (2024) average. This device is IP54 rated against dust, sweat, and light rain. In comparison, the AirPods Pro 3 have an IP57 sweat and water resistance rating. The AirPods Pro 3 remove up to 2x more noise than the AirPods Pro 2 and 4x more noise compared to the original AirPods Pro. Their new multiport acoustic architecture and next-generation Adaptive EQ help control airflow to create an exceptional spatial listening experience. This design was informed by a dataset of more than 300 million points and over 10,000 ear scans. The AirPods Pro 3 include a small custom-built heart rate sensor. Improved fit comes from a re-engineered internal architecture and new foam-infused ear tips in five sizes, including XXS. The AirPods Pro 3 help with hearing health through a Hearing Test and Conversation Boost, which adds amplification and background noise reduction for users in loud environments. I would skip the Nothing Ear 3 if you require high-quality transparency or strong ANC.
