[Review] Nothing Ear (3) lands in Singapore with Super Mic and Sleek Metal Design

Nothing’s newest flagship true wireless earbuds, the Nothing Ear (3), have officially landed in Singapore, marking the brand’s return to the premium audio space with a refined design and an unusual innovation – a microphone built into the charging case.

Priced at S$259, the Ear (3) is now available via the official Nothing Singapore website.

First revealed globally in September 2025, the Ear (3) continues Nothing’s design-first philosophy, now featuring a metallic unibody charging case crafted from 100% recycled aluminium.

The beautiful and iconic clear-lid aesthetic remains, but the finish feels sturdier and more premium, with earbuds available in black or white variants.

The Ear (3)’s headline addition is the Super Mic, a new recording tool that turns the charging case into a handheld microphone.

By holding down the TALK button on the case, you can activate two built-in microphones capable of isolating voices and filtering out up to 95dB of surrounding noise. The case can even trigger voice messages or sync with Nothing’s Essential Space app for voice note transcription when paired with a Nothing Phone.

Each earbud also carries three directional microphones paired with a bone-conducting voice pickup unit (VPU), designed to improve call clarity by capturing jaw and ear canal vibrations.

Combined with an upgraded Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) system capable of cutting out up to 45dB of ambient sound, the Ear (3) promises clearer calls and more immersive listening. The ANC now adapts in real time, checking ambient noise every 600 milliseconds and compensating for fit every 1.8 seconds.

In terms of audio, the Ear (3) packs 12mm dynamic drivers with a larger radiating surface and patterned diaphragm, resulting in stronger bass (boosted by about 4 to 6dB) and brighter highs. The sound signature remains bold and energetic, though it leans bass-heavy out of the box. If you have a different preference, you can easily customise your sound through the Nothing X app, which offers both a 3-band and full parametric equaliser for detailed tuning.

Battery life holds steady at 10 hours per charge (without ANC) and up to 38 hours with the case, supporting both USB-C and wireless charging. Bluetooth 5.4 ensures low latency (under 120ms) and compatibility with LDAC, Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair, and iOS. Both earbuds and the case are IP54-rated for dust and water resistance, a plus for commuters and gym-goers alike.

Overall, the Ear (3) impresses with its comfort, premium build, and adaptive ANC performance.

While the Super Mic feels more like a novelty than a practical tool for now, nonetheless, kudos to Nothing for constantly seeking to push the boundaries for good, human-centric design.

Overall, while a little on the pricey side for earbuds, Nothing Ear (3) will appeal strongly to the fashion or design conscious tech consumers at a pretty reasonable price for a premium, unique look. Functional tech can be design-focused and beautiful when it comes from Nothing.