Nothing has released a new pair of over-ear headphones that promise something genuinely rare: up to 135 hours of battery life on a single charge with ANC off. At first glance, this sounds almost absurd. That's roughly five days of continuous listening, or enough for a week-long holiday without touching a charger.
The Headphone (a), which launched today, arrives at $199 USD (compared to $299 for the Headphone (1)). That price point matters. Nothing is positioning this as a mass-market alternative to its premium model, and the battery claim is the headline feature. For comparison, the Sony WH-CH520 delivers up to 50 hours of battery life, which has long been considered excellent in this category.
Here's what you need to know: that 135-hour figure comes with a significant caveat. With noise cancellation turned on, battery life drops to around 75 hours. If you're someone who actually uses ANC, the advantage over competitors shrinks considerably, though it's still competitive. The trade-off between real-world use and theoretical maximum is the kind of thing manufacturers often bury in fine print.
The headphones weigh 310 grams with breathable memory foam cushions, making them lighter and more comfortable than some rivals. They also carry an IP52 rating for dust and light water resistance, which is useful if you're taking them to the gym or outside.
On features, Nothing has kept things familiar. The same tactile controls from the Headphone (1) appear here: a roller, paddle, and button. The button can function as a camera remote on connected phones, configurable through the Nothing X app. You get adaptive ANC and wireless hi-res audio with LDAC support.
The sound itself is a deliberate shift. Nothing designed these headphones with deeper bass, including AI-powered Dynamic Bass Enhancement to boost lower frequencies. This isn't surprising for an affordable model aimed at younger listeners. It's also a departure from the Headphone (1), which leaned on audio tuning from KEF, the British speaker maker.
Fast charging is built in. A quick five-minute charge reportedly provides up to five hours of playback, which is genuinely useful if you forget to top up before a commute.
Pre-orders are open now with shipments starting March 13 for black, white, and pink. The limited-edition yellow version arrives April 6.
The real question is whether the battery promise changes how you evaluate the headphones. For travellers, commuters, or anyone annoyed by frequent charging, this matters. For office workers who can charge overnight, the advantage feels theoretical. Nothing's pricing and positioning suggest they're targeting the former group, people who value endurance over cutting-edge noise cancellation or audiophile sound quality. That's a legitimate market. Whether the battery advantage justifies the premium over cheaper alternatives will depend on how important those 75 extra hours actually are to your daily life.