After plenty of teasers and leaks, Nothing Headphone (1) is officially here. This marks the company’s first venture into over-ear headphones, featuring a striking design, audio tuned by KEF, and a release date set for mid-July.
Unique Design and Controls
Nothing, known for its standout aesthetics, doesn’t disappoint with Headphone (1). The headphones are “designed to be seen,” sporting a transparent earcup exterior paired with a sturdy aluminum frame. Memory foam cushions with an oil-resistant coating add comfort to the bold look.
The control setup is also unconventional. Unlike typical touchpads or standard buttons, Nothing uses distinct buttons and switches. A single button on the right earcup activates your voice assistant by default but can be customized for other functions like “Channel Hop,” which switches between recent audio apps.
A roller button on the side adjusts volume with a roll, plays or pauses with a tap, and changes ANC modes with a long press. A paddle nearby lets you skip tracks, answer calls, or seek within a track with a long press. Finally, an on/off switch sits at the bottom.
Impressive Battery and Audio Performance
Nothing claims Headphone (1) offers up to 35 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) on, extending to an impressive 80 hours with ANC off. Charging is done via USB-C. The headphones support Fast Pair on Android and Swift Pair on Windows for easy connectivity.
On the audio front, Headphone (1) features 40mm drivers with a frequency response of 20-40KHz. ANC can block up to 42dB of noise, and the headphones weigh 329g. Audio tuning comes from KEF, a renowned name in high-fidelity sound with over 60 years of expertise.
Nothing highlights that the partnership brings “rich, natural audio with deep bass, detailed mids, and crisp treble” across all modes, including ANC, Transparency, and Spatial Audio. Controls and customization, including an 8-band EQ, are managed through the Nothing X app.
Pricing and Availability
Nothing Headphone (1) is priced at $299 in the US, £299 in the UK, and €299 in Europe. Pre-orders begin on July 4 through Nothing’s website, with shipping starting on July 15.
