Nothing has always been the company that dares to zig when everyone else zags. Their latest creation, the Headphone (1), isn’t just another pair of over-ear cans joining the crowded premium headphone space but a calculated rebellion against the touchpad tyranny that’s dominated the category for years. These were leaked around the web over the past few weeks (and we were among the fortunate few to get hands-on with them early) but we all knew we were in for a treat.
The Anti-Touch Philosophy
While most manufacturers have been racing to eliminate every tactile element from their headphones, Nothing went the opposite direction entirely for its first-ever over-ear monitors. With an arguably nostalgia-driven analog approach, the Headphone (1) features three distinct physical controls: a roller for volume, a paddle for track navigation, and a customizable button that can trigger everything from voice assistants to their proprietary Channel Hop feature.
Aside from using it to adjust the volume, the roller can be clicked to play/pause or long-pressed to toggle between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode. The paddle lets you push left or right to skip tracks, with the ability to hold for scrubbing through content.
Aesthetically, these slim monitors fit right in with the rest of Nothing’s lineup of earbuds and smartphones. As expected, the transparent design language carries over from Nothing’s smartphone line, revealing internal engineering components through the outer earcup.
KEF’s Audio DNA
The partnership with KEF sees a significant step up from Nothing’s previous audio collaborations. KEF brings over six decades of high-fidelity expertise, and you can hear it in the custom 40mm dynamic drivers. The frequency response spans 20Hz to 40kHz, with a nickel-plated diaphragm designed to enhance clarity in the highs while delivering substantial bass response.
The ANC system uses dual feed-forward and feedback microphones, scanning your environment every 600 milliseconds and adapting in real time. Nothing claims up to 42dB of noise reduction, which puts it in competitive territory with established players. The four-microphone setup for calls leverages AI trained on over 28 million noise scenarios, which should translate to a cleaner voice pickup.
Marathon Battery, Lightning Charging
Battery life hits a remarkable 80 hours with ANC disabled, or 35 hours with noise cancellation active. The fast-charging implementation gives you 2.4 hours of ANC-enabled playback from just 5 minutes of charging via USB-C, which is some of the best in the category.
The connectivity suite includes LDAC support, Hi-Res Audio certification, USB-C lossless playback, and a 3.5mm jack for wired listening. Bluetooth 5.3 enables dual-device connection, so you can seamlessly switch between your laptop and phone without the usual re-pairing frustrations.
Nothing’s Ecosystem Play
In terms of phone pairing, the new Channel Hop feature will be incredibly useful. On Nothing phones, a single button press cycles through recent audio apps or saved favorites. It’s initially exclusive to the upcoming Phone (3), with rollout to other Nothing devices planned.
A customizable button on the headphones can also trigger Essential Space, Nothing’s AI-powered repository for voice notes and quick thoughts. While these features are ecosystem-dependent, they hint at Nothing’s broader ambition to create a wholly integrated hardware experience. And knowing what we already know from the brand, this is just the beginning of a long-term plan to innovate the category even further.
Spec Sheet
Model: Nothing Headphone (1)
Drivers: 40mm dynamic, custom-tuned by KEF
Frequency Response: 20Hz to 40kHz
ANC: Up to 42dB reduction
Battery Life: 80 hours (standard), 35 hours (ANC)
Quick Charge: 2.4 hours of ANC after 5 minutes
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, LDAC, USB-C, 3.5mm
Water Resistance: IP52
Materials: Aluminum frame, transparent plastic, PU memory foam
Controls: Physical roller, paddle, customizable button
Price: $299
Pricing & Availability
The Nothing Headphone (1) launches at $299 in both black and white colorways. Pre-orders begin July 4 through Nothing’s website and select partners, with general availability starting July 15.
Recap
Nothing Headphone (1)
Nothing’s first-ever over-ear monitors feature the brand’s signature see-through design language but also aims to revolutionize how we interact with our headphones. Instead of touch controls, the unit goes strictly tactile with rollers and buttons. Battery life is also huge here with 80 hours of juice, or 35 hours in ANC mode.
