Nothing Ear (3a) launch: $99 earbuds record audio directly on-device with 32MB flash storage

Product launch

Nothing today released the Ear (3a), a new pair of budget wireless earbuds priced at $99. The launch comes alongside the Nothing Phone 4B, a budget handset limited to the UK, Europe, and India. The Ear (3a) sit between the entry-level Ear (a) and the flagship Ear (3) in the company's lineup, and are available now through Nothing's online store.

Audio Snapshot feature

The standout addition is Audio Snapshot, which uses 32MB of built-in flash storage on the earbuds themselves. By pinching both earbuds, users can capture a clip of whatever they are listening to, including a short preroll so nothing is missed. Recordings are automatically synced to the Nothing X app, where they can be replayed, edited, shared, or transcribed. The app also generates shareable quote cards from transcribed moments. Nothing states the feature is for personal, non-commercial use only.

Call recording and privacy

The Ear (3a) can also record phone calls via a separate gesture, with storage limited to approximately two hours of audio. A privacy notification alerts all participants when recording is active. Recorded calls are accessible in the Nothing X app after the call ends.

Hardware and battery

Audio upgrades include new 12mm dynamic drivers for deeper bass, support for LDAC streaming, an 8-band EQ, and spatial audio. Active noise cancellation reaches up to 45 dB, with Nothing claiming a 17.1 percent improvement in overall ANC performance over previous models across a broader frequency range. Battery life is rated at up to 10 hours on the buds alone (ANC off), extending to 42 hours with the charging case, or 25 hours total with ANC enabled. A new extra-small ear tip size and a pink color option join the existing black, white, and yellow finishes.