Nothing and its budget-focused sub-brand CMF appear to be expanding their wireless audio lineup. Two unreleased earbuds, the Nothing Ear 3a and CMF Buds Neo, have surfaced on regulatory databases in Indonesia, with the latter also appearing on India’s Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) portal, suggesting an imminent launch.
Nothing Ear (3a), CMF Buds Neo listings
According to listings spotted by The Tech Outlook, Indonesia’s SDPPI certification authority has approved the Nothing Ear (3a) under model number B193 and the CMF Buds Neo under model number B190. Both certifications were reportedly issued on June 2nd, 2026. Separately, the CMF Buds Neo received BIS certification in India on May 29th.
While certifications rarely reveal specifications, they often serve as one of the clearest signs that a commercial launch is approaching.
The appearance of the Nothing Ear (3a) is particularly interesting because Nothing only launched the Ear 3 last year. If the company follows its established naming strategy, the Ear (3a) would likely sit below the flagship model in both pricing and features. This is based on the role played by the Ear (a), which debuted alongside the premium Ear in 2024.
The Ear (a) launched as an affordable alternative while sacrificing some advanced features, but retains key strengths such as active noise cancellation, strong battery life, and Nothing’s signature transparent design language. Nothing is expected to follow a similar strategy to the Ear (3a), which could launch at a lower price point, albeit with a few premium features missing.
The CMF Buds Neo, meanwhile, appears positioned to strengthen CMF’s entry-level offerings. CMF is known to deliver feature-rich products at aggressive prices. Devices such as the CMF Buds and CMF Buds Pro 2 brought features like ANC, customisable sound profiles, and long battery life to lower price tiers that were traditionally dominated by brands such as Realme, Redmi, and boAt.
The “Neo” branding is something new, though, and it suggests the possibility that the Buds Neo could become CMF’s most accessible true wireless earbuds yet.
Since the Nothing Ear (3a) and CMF Buds Neo are expected to target the budget segment, it might make sense to wait for these products if you’re looking for an affordable pair of TWS. While there are options from other brands like OnePlus and Realme, Nothing and CMF offer a distinct style in terms of design and features. However, buyers looking for premium audio quality and advanced ANC may want to consider a slightly more expensive tier.
