Nothing Ear (3) Wireless Earbuds Case is Now a High-End Microphone

The Nothing Ear (3) wireless earbuds pack a unique twist. There is a Super Mic built into the charging case for crystal-clear calls and recordings.

Let’s be honest... most true wireless earbuds these days are already pretty incredible for their size. They cram in high-quality audio, some impressively capable active noise cancellation (ANC), and a bag full of smart features.

And if you’ve been following Nothing’s recent moves, you’ll know they’ve been on a creative hot streak... from the futuristic Nothing Phone (3) with its Glyph Matrix innovation, to fresh audio ideas that rethink the basics.

Nothing Ear (3) Wireless Earbuds Case is Now a High-End Microphone

Now, with the brand-new Nothing Ear (3), they’re once again pushing the boundaries. This time tackling a long-standing problem in the earbud world: call quality.  

The folks over at Nothing appear to have found a quirky and yet clever workaround with their latest release, the Nothing Ear (3).

A Your-Voice-But-Better Hack

The earbuds themselves still use the same kind of mic arrays you’ll find in other premium totally-wireless options. But here’s where it gets interesting: they’ve moved a much better microphone setup into the charging case itself.

That’s right, if you want to sound crisp on your next Zoom meeting or podcast recording, just pick up the case, hold it like a mini recorder, and hit the “Talk” button. The case’s built-in Super Mic kicks in, giving you a clean, noise-cancelled sound pickup that can strip away background noise by up to 95 dB.

For context, that’s a huge leap over the ~25 dB noise cancellation you’d get from the earbud mics alone. The beamforming Super Mic is designed to focus on just your voice, making it perfect for interviews, video calls, or quick voice recordings.

Sure, holding a case to your face might look a little funny. So, don’t try it while running! However, if crystal-clear voice quality matters to you, then this is a game-changer.

Updated Design for Comfort and Reliability

The Nothing Ear (3) still keeps the signature transparent aesthetic we’ve come to know and love from the brand, but with a few classy metallic touches that give it a more refined look.

More importantly, the design tweaks supposedly:

• Improve signal sensitivity so you’re less likely to drop connection.
• Offer a more secure, ergonomic fit.
• Use internal venting to reduce in-ear pressure, making them comfy for long listening sessions.

It’s an approach that echoes Nothing’s design philosophy across products, much like how the Nothing Phone (3) balances style with surprising functionality.

Bigger Drivers, Clearer Sound

Under the hood, you now get 12mm dynamic drivers (up from 11mm in the previous version). Bigger drivers mean a richer sound profile — deeper bass, less distortion, and more detail across the board.

Each earbud also has:

• Three directional microphones
• A bone-conduction voice pickup unit for better call clarity

Pair that with the case’s Super Mic for special situations, and you’ve got one of the most versatile mic setups on any true wireless earbuds right now.

ANC That Thinks on Its Feet

(or, in this case, Ears)

Let’s be real: Nothing’s ANC hasn’t historically beaten market leaders like Sony or Bose. That said, they’ve made some impressive tweaks here.

The ANC on the Ear (3):

• Adjusts every 600 milliseconds
• Blocks up to 45 dB of noise, effective up to 5kHz
• Actively monitors for fit-related sound leaks

In practice? It should be noticeably better for everyday commutes, flights, or coffee shop work sessions.

Battery & Charging You Can Rely On

You’re looking at:

• 5.5 hours of listening with ANC on
• 22 extra hours in the case
• Fast charging: 5 minutes in the case = ~1 hour playback

Perfect for those “oh no, I forgot to charge my earbuds” mornings.

App Power: Fine-Tune and Record

The Nothing X app isn’t just for EQ tweaks and gesture control. It also lets you:

• Sync recordings made on the Super Mic
• Automatically transcribe those recordings (journalists, take note!)
• Push firmware updates for future features and fixes

Price & Availability

The Nothing Ear (3) is available now for US$179 (RM749). If you care about sound quality and you’re the sort of person who jumps on voice calls all day, they might easily earn a spot in your daily carry.

Final Thoughts on Nothing Ear (3) Wireless Earbuds

The Nothing Ear (3) isn’t just another pair of true wireless earbuds with a shiny new finish. In fact, it’s a fresh take on how earbuds can solve the long-time problem of average call quality. By leaning on the charging case as a high-grade microphone, Nothing offers something we’ve barely seen in this space.

If you’ve ever cringed at your own voice playback from earbud mics, these might just make you fall in love with the sound of your own voice again. For more information, head over to Nothing's official website.

What about you? Would you actually use the charging case as a mic, or do you think you’d stick to the built-in buds? Drop your thoughts in the comments... and if you found this interesting, share it with your favorite tech-obsessed friend.