No one does earbuds launch quite like Nothing, not even Apple. Nothing has been issuing teasers with beetles and frogs for the last few weeks, leading up to the announcement of the Nothing Ear and the Nothing Ear (a) earlier today.
It's a significant release for a couple of reasons - first, the nomenclature has changed - gone is the Ear (1), (2), instead of a (3) model we just get Ear. And, second, this is the first time Nothing has released a more affordable model in the (a). But while the Ear is €149/$149/£129 and the Ear (a) is €99/$99/£99, don't think you're getting an inferior product...
Samsung's Galaxy M15 first went official back in March, and then it made its way to India earlier this month, and now it's apparently getting ready for the next stop in its global tour: Europe.
Samsung's store in Poland has listed the M15, and although you can't buy one just yet, the retail price has been revealed: it's PLN 699, which currently translates to about €161. So we expect the Eurozone pricing to be either €159 or €169.
For that amount of cash, you get the version with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It's unclear when the device will go on sale in Europe, but it can't be...
The 3GPP Release 17 specification for 5G introduced some major upgrades – among them support for 1024 QAM, which enables higher data transfer speeds as Samsung and Qualcomm just demonstrated.
Using Samsung 5G vRAN tech running on 2.1GHz (FDD) and 3.5GHz (TDD) and a test unit with a Snapdragon X75 modem, the two companies achieved speeds of 485Mbps with 20MHz bandwidth. This is 20% higher than what’s possible with the 256 QAM that is common on 5G networks today. The X75 modem is featured in the Snapdragon 8/8s Gen 3, by the way.
This is a first time in the industry this was pulled...
Huawei announced the Pura 70 series today, and once again offered no details regarding the chipsets. However, early benchrmarks confirmed they feature a new platform called Kirin 9010, which has an 8-core CPU, identified by apps as 12-core unit due to hyperthreading.
Hyperthreading is nothing new in the chipset industry, as the Taishan cores have been supporting the technology for some time; it has been part of the Kirin 9000s and now is a part of the 9010 as well.
First Geekbench results revealed a minor improvement in raw performance, coming from slightly faster core speeds. The...
After the EU forced Apple to open up its iOS platform for third-party app stores, we now have the first alternative to Apple's default App Store.It's called AltStore PAL, which is rather fitting.
Technically, AltStore PALhas been around since 2019, but you were able to access it after "hacking" your way into it. You had to "disguise" yourself as a developer using companion software called AltServer running on your computer. But after the EU Commission's DMA, AltStore PAL is now available to anyone willing to tap through all the prompts from Apple asking if you are sure you want to...
Yesterday, an announcement of a Sony Xperia event leaked out, today it is official. The “Xperia Special Event 2024” is scheduled for May 17 and will be held at the Terrada Warehouse B&C Hall. It’s a pretty exclusive event, though, only 100 people are invited.
There will be a livestream, of course, to let “Xperia developers introduce the latest features in real life,” as the event description reads (machine translated from Japanese).
Fancy talk aside, the only real question is whether the three models (1, 5 and 10) would be announced at this event or whether there will be stragglers....
Uninstalling software from Windows should be easy, but sometimes it is not. Windows 11’s built-in software removal feature can often leave traces of the uninstalled software behind. This might be registry entries, or hidden data within your Windows profile directory.
As more and more of this orphaned data accumulates, your PC can slow down, which is where third-party uninstallers come in. One example is Bulk Crap Uninstaller, a utility that uninstalls software from Windows, including Windows Store apps.
While alternative tools are available from large software publishers, Bulk Crap Uninstaller is maintained by Marcin Szeniak, a solo Polish developer.
Also known as BC Uninstaller and BCU, this is free and open-source software for Windows that is hosted on GitHub.
Bulk crap uninstaller: Plans and pricing
As noted, Bulk Crap Uninstaller is a free application, released under the Apache 2.0 open-source license. It is offered by the developer for use in private and commercial environments, with no obligations, providing the license is not breached.
Power users and organizations may wish to support development of the software. This is possible by making a donation, either by PayPal or Bitcoin, via the BC Uninstaller home page. You can also send a gift within the app via the Steam store.
Two versions of BCU are available: a standard version for installation, and a portable version that runs from a USB stick.
Bulk crap uninstaller: Features
(Image credit: Bulk Crap Uninstaller)
An incredible number of features are included in Bulk Crap Uninstaller, putting many paid alternatives to shame.
Installed application detection
If you’re removing software with a third-party utility, it needs to be able to detect everything that is installed on Windows. Bulk Crap Uninstaller can find normal apps, those that are hidden or protected, portable software, Windows Store/Universal Windows Platform apps, Windows updates, Oculus games and apps, and Steam games and apps. It can also handle software installed via the command line tool Chocolatey.
A restore point can be set, and a backup of the system registry made before software is removed.
Automatic uninstalling
The main purpose of this tool is to remove software that you don’t want installed on your PC. Bulk Crap Uninstaller deals with pretty much anything, from single to batch removal of applications, with minimal user input if preferred.
Applications without uninstallers can be removed, and the tool can even uninstall software based on an app window, shortcut, or directory. Hanging and crashing uninstallers can be handled, and there is also a force removal feature for tough-to-shift software.
As soon as applications are removed, the BC Uninstaller checks for leftovers and prompts you to permit removal of these elements.
Startup manager
A useful startup manager is included in this utility, to see what software is running when Windows boots. While this information can also be found in Windows itself, this is a good way to quickly identify problematic software and remove it without switching between the two tools.
Portable version
As noted, there is a portable version of BC Uninstaller. This handles all of the same tasks as the installed version. To make the software portable, its settings are stored in a single file. It is, therefore, possible to make the “installed” version portable if necessary.
Built in manual
While similar tools have online documentation, they don’t usually provide information to the same depth as the manual provided with Bulk Crap Uninstaller. When you consider that this is the work of one guy, it’s quite an accomplishment. Better still, it’s very useful.
System requirements
Bulk Crap Uninstaller is designed to run on Windows 11, and any version of Windows since Vista. 32-bit and 64-bit versions are supported.
For use on older hardware, the minimum requirements are 300MB of RAM, 50MB of storage. It should run with any CPU. Note that Microsoft .NET 4.0 or above is recommended. The portable version has the same requirements.
BCU also supports multiple languages.
Bulk crap uninstaller: Support
First and foremost, Bulk Crap Uninstaller’s developer has provided a surprisingly detailed online user manual.
But what about actual customer support? This is a tricky factor to assess for open source software. No easy avenue for user support is available with Bulk Crap Uninstaller. Instead, you will need to open a discussion on the GitHub project page.
For most people, this will not be intuitive, as the environment is designed for developers and beta testers, rather than standard end users.
If you have technical insight, this shouldn’t be a problem; if you’re just looking for a friendly support assistant to guide you through, this isn’t the software for you.
Bulk crap uninstaller: Competition
Perhaps the most surprising thing about Bulk Crap Uninstaller is that it seems to be the only such free and open-source tool for Windows. While software giants are issuing updates to their software year-on-year, with features (and even support) accessible only to premium users, BC Uninstaller is free, as in beer.
That’s a major feather in Bulk Crap Uninstaller’s cap. But how does it compare on a functional level with tools like IObit Uninstaller or another free tool, Glarysoft Software Uninstaller?
Well, the sheer volume of free features here basically blows the other tools into the water. The alternatives are too numerous to mention specifics, but even against the two competitors mentioned above, Bulk Crap Uninstaller wins on features and ease of use.
But if you’re used to hands-on customer support, BC Uninstaller is not the tool for you.
Bulk crap uninstaller: Final verdict
If you’re not used to the potential of open-source software, then Bulk Crap Uninstaller’s considerable scope of features may come as a surprise. After all, while there is open source software on Windows, there isn’t that much of it.
But it isn’t just the open-source status of this software, or that it is maintained by one person. Bulk Crap Uninstaller is simply brilliant at what it does, identifying applications and their uninstallers and removing them with as many (or as few) clicks as you want.
It isn’t as pretty as, say, CCleaner, and there isn’t anything that can be realistically described as customer support. But this is potentially the best software uninstaller for Windows that you will find, and it is as free as you want it to be.
Nothing’s latest earbuds come in two styles and price points with the €99/$99/99 Nothing Ear (a) and the €149/$149/129 Nothing Ear. Nothing Ear is the new flagship offering coming in as a direct successor to last year’s Ear (2) while Ear (a) aims to fill the gap as the more affordable entry. Nothing also announced ChatGPT integration for the new earbuds allowing you to summon the AI assistant with a pinch gesture on the earbuds.
Nothing Ear
Nothing Ear gets refined 11mm dynamic drivers with a ceramic diaphragm for richer and crisper highs as well as two additional vents to improve...
If you’re the kind of runner who prefers to head out to the trails for hours as opposed to tackling the same stretch of pavement, the Nike Ultrafly is made for you.
The Ultrafly is designed to handle up to ultra distances including racing, grabbing elements from Nike’s best running shoes like its ZoomX foam and a carbon plate, which on paper makes it sound like a Vaporfly for the trails.
I’ve used a bunch of Nike’s trail shoes including the long distance, off-road focused Nike Wildhorse 8 and the ZoomX-packing Nike Zegama Trail. While I’ve enjoyed my time in the new Ultrafly, it’s not quite the shoe I thought it would be: it's not zippy and quick like the Vaporfly is on roads, but it is a workhorse.
Nike Ultrafly: Specifications
Nike Ultrafly: Price and availability
Priced at $250 in the US
£229.95 in the UK
AU$330 in Australia
The Nike Ultrafly launched in July 2023 in limited quantities before going on wider release in August, priced at £229.95 / $250 / AU$ 330.
That put it around the same price as Nike’s Vaporfly road running shoe and also makes it pricier than standout trail shoes like the Hoka Speedgoat 5 and the Nike Wildhorse 8, another Nike trail shoe designed for long distance running.
Value score: 3.5/5
Nike Ultrafly: Design
(Image credit: Michael Sawh)
Vaporweave upper
Vibram Megagrip outsole
Nike ZoomX foam
While the Ultrafly is built for the trails, it definitely has the look of one of Nike’s road shoes. There’s just the two colourway options, both with a mostly white upper that thankfully hasn’t become caked in mud as the trails I’ve tested them on have been mostly the dry and hard kind.
Dealing with the key specs, it’s got a 8.5mm drop: that’s 38.5mm at the heel and 30mm at the forefoot, so it’s a chunky shoe. For comparison, the ultra-focused Nike Wildhorse 8 has an 8mm drop coming in at 35.5mm at the heel and 27.5mm at the forefoot.
Nike uses an upper made from Vaporweave, which is built from a mixture of plastics and is similar to the upper material used on its road running shoes like the Zoom Fly and the first generation Vaporfly. While the upper looks pretty low volume, there’s a nice bit of stretch to it and it’s nice and roomy up front, making it ideal for going long where feet can swell and you need that extra space.
While the Ultrafly opens up at the toes, it narrows at the midfoot and at the heel to offer a good lockdown with not overly generous padding at the heel collar to offer some comfort further back. The laces are the standard kind that sit on top of a skinny tongue that offers some padding on top to make sure you don’t feel those laces if they’re tightly tied.
For the midsole, Nike is using the ZoomX foam it uses on its successful Vaporfly, Alphafly and Invincible road shoes. That midsole is wrapped in fabric to protect the foam and is designed to make it feel more stable than Nike’s road shoes. Nike also places a Carbon Flyplate between that ZoomX and fabric-wrapped midsole to help deliver smoother transitions.
In an interesting move from Nike, it included a Vibram Megagrip outsole to deliver off-road grip. Nike typically uses its own outsole technology, which I’ve had mixed experiences with. The decision to go with Vibram on the Ultrafly seems like a wise move as it’s the same outsole technology featured on other standout trail shoes including the Hoka Speedgoat 5.
Weight-wise, the Ultrafly weighed in at 282g in my UK size 8, which is lighter than something like the Nike Wildhorse 8, which weighed in at almost 320g in a UK size 8. While not super-light, it definitely didn’t feel heavy during runs and was comfortable enough to walk around in as well.
Design score: 4/5
Nike Ultrafly: Performance
(Image credit: Michael Sawh)
Smooth, stable and consistent ride
ZoomX isn’t bouncy like Nike road shoes
Outsole works well on moderate trails and roads
If you’re hoping that the Ultrafly is going to give you that feeling of running in one of Nike’s carbon racing shoes, then that’s simply not the case here. This isn’t an aggressive, speed shoe that delivers an extremely bouncy feeling. It’s different, but in a good way.
I haven’t run an ultra in it, instead focusing on getting as much time on my feet as my current state of running fitness permits, maxing out a couple of hours on a mixture of trail surfaces. I’ve also been mixing in some road time and taking in some lighter, more challenging trail terrain. The first thing you notice about the Ultrafly is that it doesn’t feel built like Nike’s other trail shoes. That’s largely down to the roominess of that toe box.
The ZoomX foam typically delivers a very bouncy ride, just like it does in the Vaporfly and Invincible, but things are slightly more tempered here. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t deliver the same lively ride. What it does instead is provide comfort and that’s really what you need over longer distances.
As a package, it’s smooth and stable. It’s certainly not one that feels equipped for all-out speed and is better suited to cruising and moving at slightly more up-tempo speeds. It’s not super light or nimble, but it’s not overly heavy either to make it a taxing shoe to have on your feet as you roll through the miles.
It’s great to see that Nike has opted to plant on a Vibram outsole, which features on some of the best trail shoes in the business and feels like a step up in general on Nike’s trail shoe outsoles. The 3.5mm lugs aren’t exceptionally deep, which makes handling some road time in them absolutely fine, and in general, the grip was good across a mixture of terrain including mud, rockier surfaces, and tackling some hills. I do feel like on more technical trails and likely muddier ones, you’re going to want something a little more aggressive in the outsole department though.
In terms of protection on the trails, there doesn’t seem to be a huge amount going on here and plays into the idea that this is one best suited to lighter and more moderate routes as opposed to the more technical kind. Yes, the upper looks great and uses material that’s designed to prevent rips, but Nike does go pretty light on the protective features here.
Overall though, it’s a shoe that I’ve enjoyed spending time in. It does feel like a bit of a cruiser of a shoe that’s comfortable enough to wear outside of runs, and prioritizes offering a consistent feel from a not-too-heavy design that makes it ideal for long distance runs. It feels like a good start for the Ultrafly line with room to tweak things and for it to evolve to be a truly standout trail shoe to justify picking it up over other trail shoes that cost less.
When it comes to Nothing's earbuds output, it's hard to stop oneself from playing a game of Spot the Difference. That's quite a fun game here, though, since almost all of the differences are vast improvements over anything Nothing has achieved before. All these incremental gains become especially impressive when you consider that this entry-level option from Nothing comes in at $50 / £30 cheaper than the company's last effort.
For the money, these are some of the best noise-cancelling earbuds of the year thus far. Their closest rival? That would be Sony's class-leading WF-C700N. While there's no 360 Reality Audio support in the Ear (a) and a few Sony-specific features are, of course, off the menu, the Nothing earbuds look more premium and feel more foxy. Their noise cancellation is a touch more robust and the sound is every bit as energetic, detailed and zealous, and (dare we say it?) a tad more expansive to boot. Did I mention that the battery life is also impressive, although admittedly it's a lot better without the superb ANC processing deployed?
I have to admit that the Nothing Ear (a) performed far more admirably than I'd anticipated. I enjoyed them more and more as the listening tests cruised by. Gone is the fidget spinner case idea: my review sample might be a fun English mustard-yellow hue, but the Ear (a) is serious about bringing you music – proof that Carl Pei's 2020 startup finally hit its purple patch. The sound is incrementally better than the Nothing Ear (2), and it's backed up by a Nothing X app that's easier to navigate and offers plenty of scope for tweaking things to your liking, including via the newer pinch-control stems.
OK, let's get that moniker out of the way, shall we? I advise you to view Nothing's naming structure with a simple shrug and the raise of an eyebrow, but I'll try to explain it succinctly. Ear (a) is the model you're reading about now, Nothing's 2024 entry-level offering released in conjunction with the more expensive (by $50 / £30) Ear. Nothing tells me that the Ear (a) is effectively the upgrade for the Ear (Stick), while the Ear is the upgrade on the Ear (2). Good intel, but I'd say it does Nothing's newest entry-level earbuds a disservice because the Ear (a) are streets ahead of the Ear (Stick) in every regard.
Both the Ear (a) and Ear were unveiled simultaneously in April 2024. They supersede the inaugural July 2021 Nothing Ear (1), the October 2022 follow-up Nothing Ear (Stick), and the March 2023 Nothing Ear (2). So, aside from a few minor updates (including a Nothing Ear (1) Black Edition, which fared much better than the troublesome originals) the Ear (a) can also be considered the company's joint-fourth Nothing-branded release. That is, if we're not counting the super-cheap CMF by Nothing Buds, which arrived barely a month before the model we're reviewing here. Got it? Well done. (You're doing great, by the way.)
If you take nothing else away from this Nothing Ear (a) review, know that at $99 / £99 (or around AU$192) you'll not be disappointed with these lovely little yellow earbuds.
Nothing Ear (a) on the left, Ear (2) on the right. Yes, there are key differences (Image credit: Future)
Nothing Ear (a) review: Price & release date
Released on April 18, 2024 (hitting shelves on April 22, 2024)
Priced $99 / £99 / around AU$192
If the price above made you think 'Hang on, isn't that less than the older Ear (2)?' well done for paying attention. The Nothing Ear (a) are priced to sell – and sure as eggs is eggs, sell they will.
The Ear (a) earbuds come in three colorways – a warm yellow alongside the more ubiquitous shiny black or white finishes. Why go with yellow? It's a primary color, which Nothing says aligns with its stripped-back, transparent-wherever-possible design language (yes, the stems still feature see-through plastic too).
At this level, the Ear (a)'s closest competition aside from Sony's WF-C700N is perhaps the slightly more expensive Sony LinkBuds S, because remember, the class-leading Technics EAH-AZ80 come in at $299 / £259 / AU$499, and Apple's AirPods Pro 2 retail for $249 / £249 / AU$399.
Of course, that's hardly a fair comparison, since those two options offer premium perks, including triple device connectivity (Technics) and remarkably accurate head-tracked spatial audio from an iOS device (Apple).
That said, Nothing's relatively humble asking price is tempting, particularly when you consider the expressive sound quality and solid noise-nixing they can serve up.
Hello, yellow! (Image credit: Future)
Nothing Ear (a) review: Specs
The Nothing X App is a fuss-free, wholly positive experience (Image credit: Nothing)
Nothing Ear (a) review: Features
Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC support
Greatly improved ANC
Pinch-to-speak ChatGPT integration coming, with Nothing Phones
The nominal price of these earbuds is listed above, so I won't keep banging on about it. But if you want listening gear that does the basics – good sound, great noise cancellation, clear calls, easy comfort, a bit of EQ wizardry, and reliable on-ear controls – and does them very well indeed, these are that gear. Also, they're a bit of a conversation starter if you want that, miles away from the black and gray pebble-like options often seen at their level.
Want something better than the basics? Well, Nothing's got an ace up its sleeve here too. Although I was unable to test it in my not-yet-public version of the Nothing X app (rollout will be gradual across Phone (2) followed by Phone (1) and Phone (2a) for the Nothing Ear and Ear (a) in the weeks after April 18, 2024) Nothing tells me it has integrated both Nothing earbuds and Nothing OS with ChatGPT, to offer users instant access to the chatbot directly from its devices. What this means is that users with the latest Nothing OS and ChatGPT installed on their Nothing phones should soon be able to pinch-to-speak to the popular consumer AI tool, directly from these entry level Ear (a) earbuds. However comfortable you feel with AI, it certainly adds value at the level.
Voice AI using ChatGPT is coming using Nothing Ear (a) using your Nothing smartphone… (Image credit: Nothing )
Back to the Ear (a) specifically and call handling is far better this time around, with recipients telling me my voice was unusually clear, which checks out when you see that the Clear Voice Technology has been upped from v2.0 in the Ear (2) – or 1.0 with Bass Lock software in the Ear (Stick) – to 3.0 here.
You're getting Bluetooth v5.3 and LDAC support for hi-res audio (the Sony-developed codec that lets you stream high-resolution audio up to 32-bit/96kHz over Bluetooth at up to 990kbps, if your device supports it and the file is up to scratch), which is a valuable inclusion at this level.
There's no onboard spatial audio wizardry and you don't get the Ear (2)'s splendid personalized hearing tests. However, you do get in-ear detection (to pause music when they're out and resume it when they're in), a low lag toggle for gaming, issue-free multipoint to two devices, an ear tip fit test and a Find My Earbuds feature, which issues a rattlesnake-style sound from whichever bud you're trying to locate.
Now, the noise cancellation. After deploying ANC (rather than 'Transparency' or 'Off'), you can select from High, Mid, Low, and Adaptive profiles. High is very good: the hairdryer we use in our meticulous and methodical testing was largely nixed. I can see why it drops the battery life from 9.5 hours without ANC to 5.5 with it, but when the near bubble-of-silence outcome is this good, it's a hit I'm willing to take. The quoted improvement is 45dB over 40dB of ambient noise nixing and if that's hard to quantify, let me tell you that when I sat down to do some work at home wearing Ear (a) with ANC on High, I didn't realize the oven extractor fan was on (my other half was making breakfast), but as soon as I switched to Ear (2) it became perceptible.
Heading over to the Transparency option, this is signified by a woman exhaling, which is fun. Although there's no slider to tweak the level of ambient sound you're letting in, it's perfectly acceptable and means voices can be heard without removing the Ear (a).
The Nothing X app takes the reins and it too is much improved, never faltering and always serving me what I need, without going round the houses to get there. The EQ tab is essentially a three-band offering presented in what I like to call a splodge, rather than sliders for each – think Nura True Pro's visual depictions rather than a mixing desk, with four presets for more bass, more treble, voice focus or a balanced sound – but of course, you can create your own. It's not the most fully-featured offering Nothing has in its arsenal (for that you'd have to opt for the Nothing Ear) but it certainly works.
Anything missing where it should be? Nothing. No sir.
Features score: 5/5
The new Ear (a) next to the Ear (2): a fun game of Spot the Difference (Image credit: Future)
Nothing Ear (a) review: Sound quality
LDAC handled very well indeed
Fun and zealous sound
Unusually expansive for this type of in-ear
If you've read the star rating at the top of this review and come this far (thank you for sticking with me), it will come as no surprise to learn that the Ear (a) doesn't lack in the sonic department.
Those with a Sony smartphone (I used the Sony Xperia 1 IV) will find LDAC codec files are delivered with expanse and pinpoint accuracy when it comes to the placement of each sonic article. In Aerosmith's Going Down / Love In an Elevator, a shaker sits comfortably in the well of my right ear as backing vocals come in through the left. When the heavily processed "Going down" vocal bridge sweeps across the soundstage like a freight train, it grazes the back of my brain en route.
Even when I stream lossy Spotify tracks (or much better Apple Music songs) the Nothing Ear (a) buds handle them admirably, with ample texture and space around Elton John's Rocket Man vocal, in a cohesive mix that brings forward the synths and bass plucks other earbuds at this price can't reach.
For dynamic build and nuance, the Nothing Ear (a) are best described as meaty and arresting. It's not that they lack refinement exactly, just that they prioritize fun and energy over that integrated hi-fi listen some might prefer. For me, there's so much here to celebrate sonically that I cannot pick fault. No, they're not better than something at nearly three times the price (such as the Technics EAH-AZ80, for example), but for the money, Nothing has tweaked its recipe to near perfection here.
Want to see what I mean? Play the intro of The Who's Substitute. Tell me those guitar strings and shaker aren't every bit as jangly and expressive as you could ever wish for at $99…
Sound quality score: 5/5
See how Ear (a) is just slightly bigger than Ear (2), across the board? (Image credit: Future)
Nothing Ear (a) review: Design
Smaller and more pocketable case
Pinch stems work really well, even when wearing gloves
Nothing's design language is beautifully realized
Holding the Nothing Ear (a) earpiece next to the Nothing Ear (2) is a fresh surprise. Nothing has tried hard to keep its popular design language constant, but these two earpieces are actually very different beasts. I've placed the Ear (2) next to the new Ear (a) in the images below to prove that the earpiece is just slightly bigger across the board – 1.5mm taller, 0.2mm wider, and 0.8mm deeper, to be exact. The Ear (a) earbud is also 0.3g heavier than the Ear (2), although the case is 12.3g lighter and quite a bit shallower.
I mention these facts and figures only to highlight that it is emphatically not a case of 'same buds, different box' from Nothing. They're different. They're better. Perhaps the only potentially disappointing stat here is the size of the driver, which is now 11mm – down from 11.6mm in the Ear (2) and 12.6mm in the Ear (Stick) – and the 11mm driver in the flagship Ear is ceramic, while this one isn't. Not so fast, though, as Nothing tells me that through tweaks to the dual chamber design under the hood, which now includes two extra vents for improved airflow, it's extracted 10%-15% more from Ear (a)'s driver. However Nothing has achieved it, I certainly agree that the sound from said driver is greatly improved.
After switching out to the smaller ear tips (you get three in total), I find the Ear (a) a breeze to wear – although if you've particularly small ears you may need to try before you buy, and my guide to the best earbuds for small ears is worth consulting.
The new case makes a lot of sense. It flips open as easily as it slips into and out of my pocket, and the earbuds are some of the easiest to retrieve I've ever tested – Nothing's right-red, left-white dots also help you match the colors for charging. You don't get wireless charging support at this price, but the IPX2 rating of this charging nest (for mild water resistance) is more than you get with plenty of pricier options. The earbuds themselves boast an IP55 rating, which is the same as Nothing's new Ear earbuds, although the Ear's case has an IP55 rating – so it's essentially dust- and water-resistant.
Nothing's pinch stems also work really well. You can customize what the morse code short- and long-press combinations do for each stem – yes, including volume. These stem-squeeze controls also work with gloves on, unlike many touch-capacitive solutions.
Design score: 5/5
Rarely have I had so many colleagues strike up a conversation with me over a set of earbuds (Image credit: Future)
Nothing Ear (a) review: Value
As good-looking as any earbuds can be for this money
Winning ANC at the level
LDAC for extra sound-per-pound value
I've sprinkled this liberally throughout the review, but I'll say it again, design-wise there's nothing better at the level. But don't be mistaken, these aren't style over substance: the sound quality is very good, and for noise-cancellation specifically, they're extremely hard to beat for the money.
As always, it's important to state that if you're prepared to spend $299 / £279 / AU$429 (aka three times the money) there's better noise-cancellation available in the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2, but that's hardly fair.
Prior to testing the Nothing Ear (a), for this price point, I would nudge you towards the Sony WF-C700N, but in my honest opinion, these entry-level Nothings give those a solid run for their money, across the board. And for premium looks for budget money, there's really no contest…
Value score: 5/5
Should I buy the Nothing Ear (a)?
Buy them if...
Don't buy them if...
Nothing Ear (a) review: Also consider
How I tested the Nothing Ear (a)
USB-C for juicing up, but there's no wireless charging (Image credit: Future)
Tested for two weeks, listened against the Sony WF-C700N, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 and Technics EAH-AZ80
Listened at work (in the office, walking through Dorset, on a train) and at home
Listened to Tidal Masters, Apple Music Lossless tracks and Spotify on an iPhone 12 Pro, MacBook Pro and Sony Xperia 1 IV
The Nothing Ear (a) became my primary musical companions for five days – after a thorough 48-hour run-in period.
They accompanied me to work (walking brusquely to a train into our Paddington office or on the London Underground to various events) and on a flight to Copenhagen (I know, get me).
To better test the comfort levels (and battery life claims), I followed TechRadar's meticulous methodology testing.
To check the audio quality across the frequencies, I listened to TechRadar's reference playlist (spanning everything from pop to classical) on Apple Music and Tidal, and also my own musical selections and podcasts. I also wore them to watch YouTube tutorials (mostly about silversmithing: finessing bezel settings and working with art clay silver, since you ask) from my MacBook Pro.
I’ve been testing audio products for well over five years. As a dancer, aerialist and musical theater performer in another life, sound quality, fit, and user experience have always taken priority for me personally, but having heard how wonderful ANC can be when done well, I know what I'm listening to here also.
