Revolutionary Battery Life in Nothing’s New Headphones
Engage in the discussion if I overlook any details: I struggle to identify a single credible brand that offers wireless over-ear headphones boasting as extensive a battery life as the newly launched Headphone (a) from Nothing.
This remarkable pair claims a staggering 135 hours—equivalent to a complete five days of uninterrupted usage, and then some.
However, the Headphone (a) is not merely about battery longevity. Acting as the mid-range successor to the contentious Headphone (1), which debuted last year, this model features a similarly striking minimalist aesthetic, punctuated by a vibrant splash of color that distinguishes it from its predecessor.
Priced at US$100 less than the flagship variant, these headphones emerge as a compelling option for consumers seeking stylish audio solutions that remain budget-friendly.
The transparent, rectangular ear cups showcase colorful plastic caps and sumptuous memory foam cushions. They are united by a slender headband, equipped with liquid-silicone padding, robust steel arms, and injection-molded hinges.
Like its metallic predecessor, the Headphone (1), this model effectively communicates a retro-futuristic design ethos.
Notably, the Headphone (a) is equipped with the same stellar physical controls as its predecessor: a tactile roller for adjusting volume and managing playback, alongside a paddle for skipping tracks and scrubbing through audio.
These controls deliver superior feedback compared to the capacitive and gesture-based alternatives that dominate this market segment.
The tactile multifunctional roller and paddle allow for seamless control over volume, playback, and audio scrubbing.
Nothing
Audio fidelity is delivered by 40-mm titanium-coated diaphragms, which Nothing asserts are crafted to “produce expressive highs and profound bass” at volumes reaching a substantial 110 dB.
While I have yet to test or compare these headphones, it is conceivable that they may yield a slight decrement in audio refinement when juxtaposed with the Headphone (1), which was meticulously tuned by the British hi-fi audio authority, KEF.
The feature set, while predictable, remains robust: connectivity options include Bluetooth 5.4, USB-C, or a 3.5-mm jack; active noise cancellation (ANC) is capable of attenuating external noise by up to a commendable 40 dB across three settings; and a transparency mode permits ambient awareness without the need to remove the headphones.
Moreover, this model supports Hi-Res and LDAC audio formats for enhanced sound fidelity, although this functionality incurs a slight reduction in playback time.
Nothing has notably excelled with the Headphone (a), which is replete with practical features alongside its extraordinary battery life.
Nothing
Regarding battery performance, the 1,060-mAh battery is reportedly capable of sustaining 135 hours of usage without ANC. This duration is reduced to 75 hours with the feature activated.
A complete charge is achievable within two hours, and just five minutes of charging can yield several hours of listening. This far surpasses the Headphone (1)’s maximum of 80 hours and even outperforms the budget-friendly Headphone Pro from Nothing’s subsidiary brand CMF, which claims 100 hours.
The Headphone (a) eclipses OneOdio’s Studio Max 1, which received favorable reviews from our own Joe Salas back in November 2025, offering a commendable 120 hours of playtime.
While the 135-hour claim may seem excessive, the convenience of being able to use the device at any time, even without recent charging, is an undeniable luxury.
The Headphone (a) assures 135 hours of battery life from a mere two-hour charge, with an impressive few hours of playback from just five minutes of charging.
Nothing
Moreover, these 11-ounce (310-g) headphones provide additional controls through a companion mobile app and enable dual-device connectivity, allowing simultaneous connections to both phone and laptop without the hassle of manual switching.
Priced at $199, it undeniably encompasses all the features anticipated within this price range, while also outshining competitors like Sennheiser’s Momentum 4 and the Soundcore Space One Pro through its distinct styling and unparalleled battery life.
The Headphone (a)’s design draws heavily from the flagship Headphone (1)’s minimalist aesthetic, reminiscent of 1980s FM headphones.
Source link: Newatlas.com.
