Nothing Ear 2 launched with better specs, same design

Nothing launched its first product — the Nothing Ear 1 — on July 27, 2021. It adopted up that launch with the marginally totally different Nothing Ear Stick in June 2022. As we speak, it’s launching yet one more pair of true wi-fi earbuds. However this time, they’re the true follow-up to the unique Ear 1.

The appropriately named Nothing Ear 2 would possibly seem like an iterative model of the Ear 1, however there’s fairly a bit happening underneath the hood that makes these earbuds an enormous step up over the unique. If you wish to get an in-depth take a look at these new earbuds, remember to take a look at our full Nothing Ear 2 evaluation. Proceed on for a abstract of what to anticipate.

The picture above exhibits the Nothing Ear 1 subsequent to the Ear 2. At first look, you would possibly assume Nothing is pulling a quick one and simply re-releasing a 2021 product. Nonetheless, there are literally many variations right here, each inside and outside.

• Design: Though the earbuds seem to look the identical, the case and the buds themselves have been redesigned. The case is a bit smaller and makes use of fewer supplies in its building. The earbuds have the identical form however have been utterly redesigned inside to accommodate all the opposite modifications on this record.
• Codecs: The Nothing Ear 2 assist LHDC 5.0, a big step up over the Ear 1, which solely supported AAC and SBC (each are additionally obtainable on the Ear 2). LHDC 5.0 ensures a frequency transmission of as much as 24 bit/192kHz at speeds of as much as 1Mbps. In different phrases, Bluetooth will sound nearer to wired than ever earlier than.
• Bluetooth: Talking of Bluetooth, the Ear 2 soar as much as Bluetooth 5.4 from the unique’s Bluetooth 5.2. In addition they now assist multi-point connections, permitting you to attach the earbuds to 2 units concurrently.
• Controls: As a substitute of tapping on the stems of the earbuds for playback management, you now squeeze the stems. This ought to be simpler and extra correct for beginning/stopping playback, switching tracks, and so on. You possibly can modify these controls within the Nothing X app.
• ANC: The lively noise-cancelation (ANC) has been upgraded within the Nothing Ear 2. Not solely is it simpler at blocking sound, however it can also change to fit your particular ear canal form. It additionally has a brand new Adaptive Mode that may enhance or lower ANC routinely by listening to your environment.
• Battery life: With ANC off, Nothing says you possibly can rise up to six.3 hours of playback on the Ear 2, a step up over the Ear 1’s claimed longevity of six hours. With ANC off and a fully-charged case, you possibly can rise up to 36 hours of playback earlier than operating out of juice.
• Sturdiness: The Ear 2 are IP54 rated whereas the case is IP55 rated. The Ear 1 have been solely IPX4 rated.
• Private Sound Profile: The Nothing X app nonetheless has equalizer controls, however now they’re extra refined and computerized. Utilizing the Private Sound Profile, you possibly can run by way of a listening to take a look at, and the Nothing X app will provide you with equalized ranges personally catered to your listening to.

You should purchase the Nothing Ear 2 beginning as we speak, March 22. For now, the unique place to purchase them is Nothing.tech. In america, you’ll pay $149 for the earbuds, whereas United Kingdom residents pays £129 (~$157). They solely are available one colorway for now, which is white. We assume a black mannequin will launch ultimately, however Nothing wouldn’t touch upon this.

Tomorrow, March 23, patrons can head to the Nothing Retailer Soho in London to seize a pair of those earbuds. And, beginning on March 28, the Nothing Ear 2 will hit common gross sales by way of third-party retail companions.