Nothing Headphone (a) launched with adaptive ANC, up to 135 hours battery life
Nothing has expanded its audio lineup with the launch of the Nothing Headphone (a), a new pair of over-ear headphones introduced globally alongside the Nothing Phone (4a) series. The model becomes the brand’s second over-ear offering after last year’s Headphone (1) and is positioned as a more accessible option while retaining the company’s distinctive design language.
Visually, the Headphone (a) sticks to Nothing’s industrial aesthetic but adds more colour to the mix. The headphones are available in Black, White, Pink and Yellow, and weigh 310 gms. They use breathable memory foam ear cushions, which the company says are designed to remain comfortable during longer listening sessions.
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One of the biggest highlights here is battery life, which stands out even in a category already known for long runtimes. Nothing claims the Headphone (a) can deliver up to 135 hours of playback with active noise cancellation turned off, or around 75 hours with ANC enabled. That’s quite high for over-ear headphones. In comparison, many competing ANC headphones typically offer 30 to 60 hours depending on usage. Even Nothing’s own Headphone (1) launched in July 2025 is rated for up to 80 hours with ANC off. For users who dislike charging their headphones every few days, that difference could be significant. Nothing has also included fast charging, where five minutes of charging is claimed to provide up to five hours of listening.
The headphones support Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which automatically adjusts the level of noise reduction depending on the surrounding environment. For voice calls, the Headphone (a) uses a three-microphone Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC) system designed to isolate the user’s voice while reducing background noise.
Nothing has also included Static Spatial Audio, which is meant to create a wider, surround-like sound experience when listening to music or watching videos.
Controls remain one of the more distinctive parts of the product. Instead of relying entirely on touch gestures, the headphones use physical controls built into the earcups. These include the Roller, Paddle, and Button controls for adjusting volume, switching tracks, and toggling listening modes. The Button also supports a feature called Channel Hop, which allows users to quickly jump between apps or functions. It can even act as a camera shutter when connected to a smartphone.
Users will be able to adjust sound settings and customise controls through the Nothing X companion app.
The Nothing Headphone (a) is priced at USD 199 in the US, GBP 149 in the UK, and EUR 159 in Europe. Global pre-orders began on Thursday through Nothing’s website and retail partners. Open sales for the Black, White and Pink variants start on March 13th, while the Yellow version will go on sale from April 6th. Nothing has not yet confirmed India pricing or availability.
If the headphones arrive in India around the converted global price, the unusually large battery could end up being their biggest draw. Buyers looking for ANC headphones that can last several days between charges may find the Headphone (a) particularly appealing.
