Nothing Headphone (1) brings KEF audio tuning, spatial sound, and a bold design
Alongside the Nothing Phone (3) flagship phone, Nothing also launched its first-ever over-the-ear headphones, aptly named Headphone (1). This is a premium product with features like hybrid ANC, LDAC, 40mm dynamic driver, spatial audio and head tracking for a 360-degree surround sound experience. The product has been acoustically engineered in collaboration with noted audio innovator KEF to provide an immersive listening experience.
The Nothing Headphone (1) features the brand’s signature transparent elements. It uses premium materials like formed aluminium precision CNC components and PU memory foam for a comfortable fit. The ear cup combines aluminium and plastic for durability. Meanwhile, the telescopic arms are said to enable smooth adjustment. Nothing says the ear cushions are oil-resistant, and they “mould naturally” to the listener’s head, which reduces ear pressure and provides a secure, comfortable seal.
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The Nothing Headphone (1) ditches the regular touch controls in favour of tactile controls. The Roller, Paddle and Button are claimed to offer a precise way to adjust volume, navigate media, and switch ANC modes. The Headphone (1) leverages KEF’s advanced acoustic engineering and proprietary tuning tools for the custom-built 40mm dynamic driver that is said to offer rich and natural audio across all modes, including ANC, Spatial Audio, and Transparency.
The Headphone (1) features a new Button, which can be customised in the Nothing X app. With a single press, users can activate Channel Hop, which allows switching between recent audio apps and favourite functions without digging through menus or switching screens. Users can also configure the button to trigger voice commands, launch News Reporter, or open Essential Space.
The Nothing Headphone (1) brings support for Hi-Res Audio, LDAC, USB-C lossless playback, and a 3.5mm audio jack. It can transform any stereo sound into a 360-degree soundstage that adapts in real time to the listener’s movement. The precision damping system and high linearity suspension are said to further minimise distortion. The Headphone (1) get an 8-band Advanced EQ in the app to fine-tune the sound profile.
The Headphone (1) features dual feedforward and feedback microphones, which offer real-time ANC that dynamically adapts to changing environments. There’s a 4-mic ENC system, which is powered by AI and is claimed to have been trained on more than 28 million noise scenarios.
The Headphone (1) is claimed to last up to 35 hours (with ANC on)/ 80 hours (ANC off) on a single charge. A quick 5-minute charge is said to offer 2.4 hours of playback with ANC on. The Headphone (1) pairs via Bluetooth 5.3, and there’s support for Fast Pair, low-latency performance and dual-device connection.
In India, the Nothing Headphone (1) is priced at Rs 21,999 but will be available at Rs 19,999 as a special introductory launch day offer. The company is offering a 12-month no-cost EMI option across leading banks for purchases via offline stores. The Headphone (1) will be available from July 15th via Flipkart, Flipkart Minutes, Myntra, Vijay Sales, Croma, and all leading retail stores.
Our takeaway
Nothing introduced a fresh and unique category for smartphones, especially with its design and customisable UI, the Headphone (1) appears to echo the same strategy. But the headphone space is far more mature and competitive than smartphones, dominated by players like Sony, Bose, and Sennheiser who’ve had years to fine-tune their audio tech and build brand loyalty. That said, Nothing isn’t trying to play by the old rules. It’s leaning heavily into design innovation, intuitive tactile controls, and a unique software experience, areas where legacy brands have grown complacent.
Whether these headphones can genuinely stand out will depend on how well they balance form and function. Can the KEF-tuned drivers match Sony’s clarity or Bose’s ANC prowess? Will users value tactile controls over touch gestures in daily use? On paper, Nothing Headphone (1) feels like a compelling first attempt – bold in identity, thoughtful in features, and aggressive in pricing.
But hype alone won’t cut it. To truly carve out a niche, Nothing will need to deliver consistency, quality, and a listening experience that lives up to the promise. We’ll be putting them to the test in our full review soon. Stay tuned.
