Nothing Phone Headphones Launch Confirmed: Headphone 1 Debuts in India on July 2 with LDAC Support
It started with curiosity at the Nothing pop-up booth near Delhi's Connaught Place - where the new Headphone 1 was quietly stealing glances away from the more hyped Phone (3).
A man next to me lifted the headphones off the stand, rotated the transparent earcups slowly, and muttered, “This doesn’t look like anything else out there.”
He was right. That moment wasn’t about specs or audio codecs - it was about form meeting intent.
Today, UK-based consumer tech brand Nothing officially launched the Nothing Headphone 1 in India, alongside its flagship Phone (3).
Today, UK-based consumer tech brand Nothing officially launched the Nothing Headphone 1 in India, alongside its flagship Phone (3).
Retailing at ₹21,999, the Headphone 1 marks the brand’s first over-ear audio product and signals a bolder ambition in the premium audio space.
Let’s break down what matters for readers trying to parse through a market saturated with ANC headphones - from legacy players like Sony and Bose to new-age entries like OnePlus and Urbanista.
Feature Specification
Let’s break down what matters for readers trying to parse through a market saturated with ANC headphones - from legacy players like Sony and Bose to new-age entries like OnePlus and Urbanista.
Key Specs: Nothing Headphone 1
Feature Specification
Price (India) ₹21,999
Driver Size 40 mm dynamic driver with 8.9 mm PU surround
Active Noise Cancellation Advanced hybrid ANC
Battery Life Up to 35 hrs (ANC on), up to 80 hrs (ANC off)
Audio Codecs LDAC, USB-C audio, 3.5 mm jack
Microphones 4 mics with AI Clear Voice Technology
Customization 8-band EQ via Nothing X app
Compatibility Works with Nothing Phone 3’s Essential Space
Build Materials Transparent plastic, aluminum, PU memory foam
Weight Not officially disclosed yet
A Clear Step Up: Design and Build
At first glance, the Headphone 1 continues Nothing’s now-recognizable industrial transparency. Think of the earcups as part science fiction, part audio lab - open enough to glimpse the internal hardware, but not gaudy or attention-seeking.
The use of PU memory foam on the earcups and aluminum on the arms gives it a tactile appeal. It’s not feather-light, but it isn't bulky either.
During a brief demo, I noticed the clamping force was moderate - tight enough for passive isolation, but not fatiguing.
This isn't a studio headset. It's a lifestyle one - with an opinion.
Nothing is calling its ANC implementation “advanced hybrid,” a term that’s been floating around since Sony’s WH-1000XM4 days.
This isn't a studio headset. It's a lifestyle one - with an opinion.
Noise Cancellation That Listens to Context
Nothing is calling its ANC implementation “advanced hybrid,” a term that’s been floating around since Sony’s WH-1000XM4 days.
But here, the hybrid setup works with four microphones that combine feedforward and feedback detection for real-time noise filtering.
In real-world testing near India Gate's traffic, the Headphone 1 handled constant low rumbles well.
In real-world testing near India Gate's traffic, the Headphone 1 handled constant low rumbles well.
However, sudden honks and irregular voices still came through faintly, suggesting the tuning leans toward safety and comfort over extreme silence.
That’s consistent with Nothing’s user-first ideology: don't block the world entirely - filter it smartly.
Audio Quality: Collaboration With KEF
Nothing partnered with British audio company KEF for tuning. That’s not a token collaboration - KEF has decades of heritage in hi-fi loudspeakers.
The 40 mm driver used here, surrounded by an 8.9 mm PU ring, delivers noticeable depth.
That’s consistent with Nothing’s user-first ideology: don't block the world entirely - filter it smartly.
Audio Quality: Collaboration With KEF
Nothing partnered with British audio company KEF for tuning. That’s not a token collaboration - KEF has decades of heritage in hi-fi loudspeakers.
The 40 mm driver used here, surrounded by an 8.9 mm PU ring, delivers noticeable depth.
On initial listening, the bass is present but not bloated, mids are clean, and the treble avoids harshness.
There's an optional Adaptive Bass mode through the Nothing X app, which some may prefer for EDM or pop-heavy playlists.
Spatial audio support with dynamic head tracking aims to bring three-dimensional sound to streaming platforms, though its implementation feels more subtle than Apple’s Spatial Audio.
Spatial audio support with dynamic head tracking aims to bring three-dimensional sound to streaming platforms, though its implementation feels more subtle than Apple’s Spatial Audio.
It works better in cinematic content than in music playlists.
Pairing through the Nothing X app opens access to an 8-band equalizer, ANC control, button remapping, and firmware updates.
Users can switch between ANC, Transparency, and Adaptive modes, depending on their environment.
The App: Nothing X
Pairing through the Nothing X app opens access to an 8-band equalizer, ANC control, button remapping, and firmware updates.
Users can switch between ANC, Transparency, and Adaptive modes, depending on their environment.
There's also a battery percentage display for each cup - yes, both earcups are independently powered.
The app experience is clean, responsive, and far less bloated than what we’ve seen from some rivals (looking at you, Sony Connect).
If you own a Nothing Phone (3), you get even tighter integration. Through the Essential Space UI, you can trigger voice notes, toggle AI assistants, or quickly access EQ presets.
The app experience is clean, responsive, and far less bloated than what we’ve seen from some rivals (looking at you, Sony Connect).
If you own a Nothing Phone (3), you get even tighter integration. Through the Essential Space UI, you can trigger voice notes, toggle AI assistants, or quickly access EQ presets.
But all core functions remain accessible across Android and iOS.
Voice and Calls: Surprisingly Good
This is one area where most premium headphones stumble.
Nothing Headphone 1 uses four microphones combined with Clear Voice Technology, powered by AI-based noise suppression algorithms.
Voice and Calls: Surprisingly Good
This is one area where most premium headphones stumble.
Nothing Headphone 1 uses four microphones combined with Clear Voice Technology, powered by AI-based noise suppression algorithms.
In a crowded metro station, voice calls remained audible and minimally affected by background chatter.
It’s not Plantronics-level clarity, but better than what Bose QC45 offers at default settings.
The battery numbers are noteworthy:
35 hours with ANC on
80 hours with ANC off
In short, this is a multi-day pair of headphones. Charging is via USB-C, and a quick 10-minute charge reportedly gives around 8 hours of playback (with ANC off).
There’s also an option for wired playback using a 3.5 mm jack or USB-C audio. Useful when flying or during long work sessions.
Here’s how the Nothing Headphone 1 stacks up:
Model Price (India) ANC TypeL DAC Support Battery (ANC on ) App Support
It’s not Plantronics-level clarity, but better than what Bose QC45 offers at default settings.
Battery Life and Charging
The battery numbers are noteworthy:
35 hours with ANC on
80 hours with ANC off
In short, this is a multi-day pair of headphones. Charging is via USB-C, and a quick 10-minute charge reportedly gives around 8 hours of playback (with ANC off).
There’s also an option for wired playback using a 3.5 mm jack or USB-C audio. Useful when flying or during long work sessions.
Compared With Competition
Here’s how the Nothing Headphone 1 stacks up:
Model Price (India) ANC TypeL DAC Support Battery (ANC on ) App Support
Nothing Headphone 1 ₹21,999 Hybrid ANC Yes 35 hrs Yes (Nothing X)
Sony WH-1000XM5 ₹29,999+ Dual Sensor Yes 30 hrs Yes
Bose QC45 ₹26,900 Adaptive ANC No 24 hrs Limited
Sennheiser Momentum 4 ₹34,990 Hybrid ANC Yes 60 hrs Yes
The value proposition becomes clear. At under ₹22,000, it offers features typically reserved for ₹25,000+ flagships.
The trade-offs? Slightly fewer tuning presets, slightly less polished ANC, and no foldable design.
The timing isn’t random. Launching alongside the Phone (3), Nothing is signaling a broader hardware ecosystem move - headphones that do more than just connect.
This is also the first fruit of their KEF partnership, which we’re told will expand into more products later this year.
Moreover, with the recent price bump on Sony and Bose offerings in India, Nothing seems well-positioned to absorb disillusioned buyers who seek premium design and decent performance without breaching the ₹30,000 mark.
Audio engineer Priya Menon, who tests studio and consumer headphones for indie musicians, shared this on early impressions:
“The tuning seems mid-forward, which is great for vocals and podcasts. I’d still lean toward Sennheiser for neutral listening, but Nothing Headphone 1 brings clarity and personality - especially in spatial modes.”
Meanwhile, Rohan Tewari, a veteran product reviewer, offered a caution:
“Build quality feels solid, but the real test will be long-term wear. The transparent plastic might attract scratches over months. We’ve seen similar concerns with Nothing Ear (1).”
Nothing Headphone 1 isn’t perfect, but it isn’t trying to be. It’s trying to redefine what the mid-premium headphone space should look like - visually and functionally.
It avoids the bloated software and brand bloat of some rivals. It isn’t chasing ultra-flat tuning or audiophile bragging rights. Instead, it stakes a solid claim: make headphones that feel personal, usable, and visually distinctive.
That alone might be enough in a market looking for alternatives.
Michael B. Norris is a Delhi-based tech journalist and audio product reviewer.
Market Impact and Strategic Timing
The timing isn’t random. Launching alongside the Phone (3), Nothing is signaling a broader hardware ecosystem move - headphones that do more than just connect.
This is also the first fruit of their KEF partnership, which we’re told will expand into more products later this year.
Moreover, with the recent price bump on Sony and Bose offerings in India, Nothing seems well-positioned to absorb disillusioned buyers who seek premium design and decent performance without breaching the ₹30,000 mark.
Expert Take
Audio engineer Priya Menon, who tests studio and consumer headphones for indie musicians, shared this on early impressions:
“The tuning seems mid-forward, which is great for vocals and podcasts. I’d still lean toward Sennheiser for neutral listening, but Nothing Headphone 1 brings clarity and personality - especially in spatial modes.”
Meanwhile, Rohan Tewari, a veteran product reviewer, offered a caution:
“Build quality feels solid, but the real test will be long-term wear. The transparent plastic might attract scratches over months. We’ve seen similar concerns with Nothing Ear (1).”
Final Thoughts
Nothing Headphone 1 isn’t perfect, but it isn’t trying to be. It’s trying to redefine what the mid-premium headphone space should look like - visually and functionally.
It avoids the bloated software and brand bloat of some rivals. It isn’t chasing ultra-flat tuning or audiophile bragging rights. Instead, it stakes a solid claim: make headphones that feel personal, usable, and visually distinctive.
That alone might be enough in a market looking for alternatives.
Author Info
Michael B. Norris is a Delhi-based tech journalist and audio product reviewer.
He’s covered the evolution of consumer electronics in India since 2014, focusing on wearables, smartphones, and audio hardware. Norris writes for trendingalone tech news site. .
Nothing Headphone 1 launched at ₹21,999 with hybrid ANC and KEF tuning.
Features LDAC support, 80-hour battery life (ANC off), and tight integration with Nothing Phone (3).
Offers spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, Clear Voice mic tech for calls.
Competitive pricing puts it against Sony XM5, Bose QC45, and Sennheiser Momentum 4.
Available now via Nothing’s India website and offline partner stores.
For more original insights and human-first coverage of tech news and hands-on product analysis, Keep visiting Trendingalone site.
Key Takeaways
Nothing Headphone 1 launched at ₹21,999 with hybrid ANC and KEF tuning.
Features LDAC support, 80-hour battery life (ANC off), and tight integration with Nothing Phone (3).
Offers spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, Clear Voice mic tech for calls.
Competitive pricing puts it against Sony XM5, Bose QC45, and Sennheiser Momentum 4.
Available now via Nothing’s India website and offline partner stores.
For more original insights and human-first coverage of tech news and hands-on product analysis, Keep visiting Trendingalone site.
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