We tested Nothing Headphone 1, the most unique looking over-ears on the market
The Carl Pei led firm has again steered away from today's tech design norms to further carve out its identity with another unique aesthetic.
Headphone 1 look and feel premium. They employ the firm's now trademark translucent design language that enables some components to be on display, and look retro and futuristic at the same time.
The only gripe is the softshell carrying case is quite large to accommodate the way the cans fold flat when not in use. But if you don't travel or commute much, this won't be such a big deal.
READ MORE: Nothing Phone 3a review: is this the best smartphone you can buy for less than €400?
READ MORE: Nothing confirms new Eir partnership ahead of launch of Phone 3 flagship Nothing Headphone 1 everyday use
Nothing has curated a sound profile that perfectly matches the luxurious style of Headphone 1, while the Nothing X app unlocks the full potential of these cans.
They feel like a vacation for your ears as the soft cushioning allows for unbelievable comfort even during lengthy listening sessions whether at home, at the gym or on a walk. Headphone 1 employ Nothing's trademark translucent design language that enables some components to be on display (Image: Nothing)
As well as this, the effective passive and active noise cancellation (ANC) of the Nothing Headphone 1 allows you to exist in this bubble of comfort and luxury without distraction. And with no connectivity or stability issues, it's easy to enjoy your favourite tunes for hours on end. There's a decent Transparency mode for making and taking calls too.
Headphone 1 feature custom-made 40mm audio drivers and support the standard SBC and AAC codecs along with the higher quality LDAC codec. Renowned audio brand KEF was integral in shaping the sound of these cans, and their moniker adorns the left earcup. They sound decent right out of the box, both bright and lively.
Music isn't all they're good for, thanks to the new Spatial Audio that Nothing has introduced on these headphones. It's enabled in the Nothing X app. Watching your favourite show or playing a new video game is so immersive it feels like you're one of the characters on screen.
Spatial Audio isn't the only feature that the Nothing X app opens up. The app allows the listener to fully customise the controls and the sound profile, making every set feel personal. Headphone 1 have an array of intuitive on-device controls for ease of use (Image: Nothing)
The on-device physical controls are welcome and boost the user experience due to their ease of use. If you also own a Nothing Phone 3, the circular multifunction button can be used to channel hop between your five favourite apps.
Multipoint Bluetooth connectivity is included along with fast-charging and on-head detection which automatically plays and pauses your content when you put on or remove the cans.
If wireless connectivity isn't your thing, that's not a problem, as the headphones come with a cable in the box. They are IP52-rated for dust and water resistance.
Headphone 1 deliver up to 35 hours of battery life with ANC switched on and an impressive 80 hours with it turned off. However, this depends greatly on the volume you are listening to your content at.
In Ireland, they cost less than €300, which is well below the likes of Sony's flagship WH-1000XM6 and Apple's AirPods Max. Headphone 1 verdict Headphone 1 blend fashion and functionality (Image: Nothing)
Nothing has pulled no punches in making these headphones feel like a gift of luxury sent from the future. Headphone 1 are a perfect blend of fashion and functionality and hopefully the start of a new era of audio. Nothing is making a statement with these cans, taking big risks in many aspects of its design and features. And their light and soft design makes it easy to forget you're even wearing them.
Overall, Headphone 1 is a great choice for anyone looking for a pair of high-end over-ears who has tired of the bland styling offered by other brands. In a world where minimalism and monotony dominate the tech industry, I think Nothing is doing something truly incredible with their devices and I always look forward to what they'll do next. Pricing and availability
Nothing Headphone 1 cost €299 from nothing.tech You can also buy them from Amazon.
Product review and testing by Ryan Kavanagh. Edited by Mark Kavanagh.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
23-07-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
We tested Nothing Headphone 1, the most unique looking over-ears on the market
Tech upstart Nothing has sparked a lot of debate after launching its first attempt at a futuristic style of headphones. The Carl Pei led firm has again steered away from today's tech design norms to further carve out its identity with another unique aesthetic. Headphone 1 look and feel premium. They employ the firm's now trademark translucent design language that enables some components to be on display, and look retro and futuristic at the same time. The only gripe is the softshell carrying case is quite large to accommodate the way the cans fold flat when not in use. But if you don't travel or commute much, this won't be such a big deal. READ MORE: Nothing Phone 3a review: is this the best smartphone you can buy for less than €400? READ MORE: Nothing confirms new Eir partnership ahead of launch of Phone 3 flagship Nothing Headphone 1 everyday use Nothing has curated a sound profile that perfectly matches the luxurious style of Headphone 1, while the Nothing X app unlocks the full potential of these cans. They feel like a vacation for your ears as the soft cushioning allows for unbelievable comfort even during lengthy listening sessions whether at home, at the gym or on a walk. Headphone 1 employ Nothing's trademark translucent design language that enables some components to be on display (Image: Nothing) As well as this, the effective passive and active noise cancellation (ANC) of the Nothing Headphone 1 allows you to exist in this bubble of comfort and luxury without distraction. And with no connectivity or stability issues, it's easy to enjoy your favourite tunes for hours on end. There's a decent Transparency mode for making and taking calls too. Headphone 1 feature custom-made 40mm audio drivers and support the standard SBC and AAC codecs along with the higher quality LDAC codec. Renowned audio brand KEF was integral in shaping the sound of these cans, and their moniker adorns the left earcup. They sound decent right out of the box, both bright and lively. Music isn't all they're good for, thanks to the new Spatial Audio that Nothing has introduced on these headphones. It's enabled in the Nothing X app. Watching your favourite show or playing a new video game is so immersive it feels like you're one of the characters on screen. Spatial Audio isn't the only feature that the Nothing X app opens up. The app allows the listener to fully customise the controls and the sound profile, making every set feel personal. Headphone 1 have an array of intuitive on-device controls for ease of use (Image: Nothing) The on-device physical controls are welcome and boost the user experience due to their ease of use. If you also own a Nothing Phone 3, the circular multifunction button can be used to channel hop between your five favourite apps. Multipoint Bluetooth connectivity is included along with fast-charging and on-head detection which automatically plays and pauses your content when you put on or remove the cans. If wireless connectivity isn't your thing, that's not a problem, as the headphones come with a cable in the box. They are IP52-rated for dust and water resistance. Headphone 1 deliver up to 35 hours of battery life with ANC switched on and an impressive 80 hours with it turned off. However, this depends greatly on the volume you are listening to your content at. In Ireland, they cost less than €300, which is well below the likes of Sony's flagship WH-1000XM6 and Apple's AirPods Max. Headphone 1 verdict Headphone 1 blend fashion and functionality (Image: Nothing) Nothing has pulled no punches in making these headphones feel like a gift of luxury sent from the future. Headphone 1 are a perfect blend of fashion and functionality and hopefully the start of a new era of audio. Nothing is making a statement with these cans, taking big risks in many aspects of its design and features. And their light and soft design makes it easy to forget you're even wearing them. Overall, Headphone 1 is a great choice for anyone looking for a pair of high-end over-ears who has tired of the bland styling offered by other brands. In a world where minimalism and monotony dominate the tech industry, I think Nothing is doing something truly incredible with their devices and I always look forward to what they'll do next. Pricing and availability Nothing Headphone 1 cost €299 from You can also buy them from Amazon. Product review and testing by Ryan Kavanagh. Edited by Mark Kavanagh.
Irish Examiner
17-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Nothing Phone (3): The most distinctive-looking Android phone of the year
In a smartphone market crowded with lookalikes, the Nothing Phone (3) stands out like a neon sign in a sea of grey. It's bold, nostalgic, and unapologetically different. After using it as my daily driver for the past couple of weeks, I've got a clearer picture of where this phone shines and where it falls short. Design and build The Nothing Phone (3) is available in two colours: black and white. Picture: Noel Campion. There really is nothing quite like the Phone (3). Its transparent rear, with architectural grooves, bold lines, and an asymmetric camera array, immediately catches the eye. Some may call it gimmicky, while others appreciate its retro-futuristic aesthetic. I love the design, but I can understand how those with a preference for symmetry might find it a bit jarring. The rear camera lenses on the Phone (3) don't protrude as much as those on many other flagship phones, which gives it a cleaner profile. However, at 9mm thick, it's not the slimmest device either. For context, the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 measures 8.9mm when folded, and the Honor Magic V5 is even slimmer at just 8.8mm folded. While the Phone (3) is Nothing's flagship, it's not as premium as flagships from some of the other top brands in terms of materials. You get Gorilla Glass Victus on the front, which gives it flagship protection, but the rear uses Gorilla Glass 7i, a more budget-friendly variant. It looks great, but you'll definitely want a case, and thankfully, Nothing includes one in the box as well as a pre-installed screen protector. Specific notifications or contacts can trigger unique AI-generated matrix animations and sounds on the new Glyph Matrix display. Picture: Noel Campion. A notable upgrade is the water and dust resistance, which has improved from IP54 on the Phone (2) to IP68 on this model. This means it's significantly more resistant to dust and can withstand full submersion in water, offering much better protection. Button layout is straightforward, with volume on the left and power on the right. There's also the Essential Key on the right side, a dedicated shortcut button featuring AI smarts. It defaults to basic functions like screenshots or voice memos, which are saved into your Essential Space, but lacks built-in remapping options. Hopefully, Nothing will allow you to reassign this in a future update. A great new addition to the rear of the Phone (3) is a small red square that lights up and blinks when recording video or using the voice recorder. It's a subtle yet stylish touch that also serves as a handy visual cue. Display The stunning 6.67-inch display has a 460ppi pixel density and a 1,000Hz touch sampling rate. Picture: Noel Campion. The 6.67-inch AMOLED panel is sharp, vibrant, and incredibly bright, reaching a peak brightness of 4,500 nits in ideal conditions. Everything from scrolling to video playback looks fluid thanks to a 120Hz refresh rate. However, the display tech is not LTPO, meaning it can only scale down to around 30Hz rather than 1Hz. That's a detail that might not matter to most, but may have a slight effect on power efficiency for things like the always-on display. Still, the size and brightness are huge pluses. Watching HDR content on this screen is a treat, and outdoor visibility is excellent. Bezels are minimal and uniform, and the flat-screen design, along with rounded corners and chamfered edges, ensures top-notch usability. Performance The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4's processing speed is 125% faster than Phone (2). Picture: Noel Campion. Inside, the Phone (3) runs on a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, a capable but not top-of-the-range chipset. In everyday use, using social apps, multitasking, and photography, it feels snappy and smooth. Even some light gaming is handled well, though frame rates can dip in more demanding titles. It doesn't feel sluggish, but it doesn't quite hit flagship levels of speed or fluidity under pressure either. If you're a power user or gamer, this is worth considering. For most people, though, I don't think you'll notice a difference. My review unit shipped with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage – the base model features 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Features The Nothing Phone (3) supports 65W fast wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and 5W reverse wireless charging. Picture: Noel Campion. Nothing has built its Phone series identity around its unique Glyph lights interface, but the Phone (3) ditches this for a new monochrome circle with a micro-LED grid with 489 tiny lights in the top right corner, which Nothing calls Glyph Matrix. This works in conjunction with the Glyph button. A tap cycles through tools and widgets, while a press-and-hold activates or plays the selected feature. Over time, this novel feature has the potential to evolve into something more practical; however, at the moment, its usefulness is quite limited. You can check battery life, start timers, or activate a few fun features, such as 'spin the bottle.' Phone (3) comes with the latest WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 support. Picture: Noel Campion. While I wasn't initially impressed with the Glyph Matrix, over time, and by using it as intended to reduce screen-on time, I began to appreciate its subtle benefits. I started placing the Phone (3) face down on my desk, allowing the Glyph Matrix to quietly alert me to new messages, incoming calls, and other notifications. If the goal was to reduce distractions, then in my case, it worked. Essential Space offers new features, including Flip to Record, a quick way to record meetings and have them transcribed, recognising speakers, summarising your recordings, and highlighting action points. Battery and charging performance Wireless charging finally makes its debut here, alongside 65W fast wired charging and a massive 5,150mAh battery. There's no charger included, but using a 100W PD charger, I was able to charge it from 0 to 100% in under an hour. In my experience, the battery life has been exceptional, often stretching to two full days on moderate use. That's easily one of the phone's strongest selling points. Cameras The Phone (3) features a triple rear camera setup, sporting a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilisation (OIS). It has a large 1/1.3-inch sensor, a 24mm focal length, and a wide ƒ/1.68 aperture. Picture: Noel Campion. The triple-camera system features a 50MP 1/1.3-inch main camera sensor, taking in 44% more light than Phone (2), a 50MP ultrawide lens and a 50MP periscope telephoto lens with optical image stabilisation. Sounds impressive, and in daylight it mostly is. Shots are punchy, social-ready, and well-detailed, especially from the main camera. Night shots can be hit-or-miss, with inconsistent exposure and some loss of detail. The telephoto camera is excellent, delivering impressive zoom performance and cleaner images than expected. It also doubles as a macro lens, capturing crisp, detailed close-up shots without needing to get so close that you cast a shadow over your subject. This is a major win for macro photography enthusiasts. The 50MP front-facing camera is also surprisingly good. Selfies are detailed with accurate skin tones and colour reproduction. Video recording tops out at 4K, with good stabilisation and rich colours, though there's no pro video mode or log capture, which limits creative control. Verdict The Nothing Phone (3) dares to be different, blending standout design with practical upgrades like IP68 water resistance, excellent battery life, and a bright AMOLED display. While performance isn't flagship-tier and some features feel experimental, it's a refreshing alternative in a world of smartphone sameness. If you value style and innovation over raw specs, it's definitely worth a look. From €849 Harvey Norman
Irish Examiner
10-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Nothing Headphone (1): Premium Sound, Smart Features, and Killer Battery Life
Nothing is a relatively new tech company based in the UK, best known for its innovative and at times divisive designs. The Nothing Headphone (1) marks the brand's first entry into the headphone market, and it's already set to turn heads. The first thing you'll notice about the Nothing Headphone (1) is its design. It's unlike anything else out there. With transparent ear cups, exposed internals, and a sleek, industrial aesthetic, it makes more traditional options from brands like Bose or Sony look downright ordinary. But are they all show, or is there substance behind the style? After two weeks of daily use, I've put them to the test. Design The Headphone (1) transparent design is striking and in keeping with Nothing's design language. Picture: Noel Campion. The design may not be to everyone's liking, but the Headphone (1) is a stunning piece of kit. Its transparent ear cups showcase the elements of the internals, while sculpted aluminium and CNC-machined components give it a premium, high-tech feel. If you're someone who prefers to blend into the crowd, these probably aren't the headphones for you. The bold, transparent design is sure to draw attention. Nothing has subjected the headphones to over 50 durability tests, including extreme temps and drops, so they're built to last. Nothing Headphone (1) connected to a digital audio player via a 3.5mm cable. Picture: Noel Campion. The silent telescopic arms for adjusting the headband are satisfyingly smooth, and the absence of a bulky hinge means a cleaner, more unified silhouette. The ear cups don't fold in, but they do swivel to lay flat in the fabric hardshell case, which is relatively slim and easy to slip into a backpack. My only minor gripe with the case is that the zip feels a bit sticky and not as smooth as I'd like. What's pretty cool, though, is the small design details, like the dimple in the case that matches those on Nothing's earphone cases, and the red square on the outside of the right earcup, which mirrors the red accent found on the new Nothing Phone (3). It's a subtle but clever nod to the brand's cohesive design language. Comfort and fit At 329 grams, they're relatively light for over-ear headphones that include premium metal components. For comparison, Apple's AirPods Max weigh 386 grams while the mostly plastic Sony WH-1000XM6 weigh 254 grams. I found the clamping force just right, being firm enough to stay secure, yet gentle enough to avoid creating any pressure points. The PU memory foam cushions mould comfortably to the head, and the design accommodates a variety of head shapes. No pinching, no significant heat build-up. Simply put, they're a joy to wear. Features Nothing Headphone (1) pictured with the Nothing Phone (3). Picture: Noel Campion. Nothing has wisely opted for intuitive physical controls instead of the more common, and often unreliable, touch-sensitive inputs. The physical controls are as good as those found on headphones like the AirPods Max. It's a smart move that enhances usability and avoids the frustration of accidental touches. You get a tactile roller for volume (click for play/pause, hold for ANC), a paddle to skip tracks or scrub, and a customisable button that can trigger voice commands, launch News Reporter, or open Essential Space, which is an exclusive feature that allows you to save quick notes and ideas on Nothing phones. There's even a dedicated Bluetooth pairing button, which is a welcome addition. It's an intuitive setup that works flawlessly every time, so there are no false taps and no frustration. There's support for dual device connectivity, Bluetooth 5.3, Fast Pair, and a 3.5mm jack for wired listening. You also get support for Hi-Res Audio, LDAC, and USB-C lossless playback. The Nothing X app includes an eight-band EQ for detailed sound customisation. Picture: Noel Campion. Nothing's new Channel Hop feature allows you to switch audio sources or apps with a single press. It's a smart, productivity-focused addition, but currently only supports Spotify and Apple Music. The Nothing X app includes an eight-band EQ for detailed sound customisation, along with voice assistant integration. The level of granular control is a real treat for those who enjoy fine-tuning their audio. Still, there's also a simplified mode that makes the interface more approachable for everyday users who just want great sound without the fuss. Battery life Battery life is impressive, with up to 35 hours with ANC on, and a stellar 80 hours with ANC off and just 5 minutes of charging nets you around 2.5 hours of playback. However, in wired mode, you still have to power on the headphones. Sound quality The Headphone (1) is Nothing's first collaboration with British audio company KEF, which I am familiar with for their speakers. The 40mm drivers, featuring nickel-plated diaphragms, deliver rich lows, crisp highs, and impressively clear mids. The bass is punchy without overwhelming the soundstage, and vocals remain detailed even in complex tracks. The soundstage is not wide, but rather more intimate. However, there's also a spatialiser with head-tracking, which adds a virtual 3D layer to your audio experience. I'm not a fan of spatial audio for music, but it can work well for certain types of video content. The physical controls are top-notch and make Headphone (1) a joy to use. Picture: Noel Campion. ANC isn't class-leading, but it is still very respectable. It adapts to your surroundings every 600 milliseconds and even compensates for ear cup leakage for those who wear glasses. In practice, it effectively blocked out office chatter and city noise. Overall, I found the passive noise isolation to be strong enough that I rarely felt the need to activate ANC, unless I really wanted to block out external noise entirely. Transparency mode works well where you can clearly hear those around you. However, I found my own voice sounded a bit muffled during calls, which made the experience slightly off-putting. Verdict The Nothing Headphone (1) combines bold design with smart engineering and rich, dynamic audio. With superb battery life, reliable controls, and striking looks, it's a strong contender against more expensive rivals. If you want premium sound with a futuristic twist, the Headphone (1) is an excellent buy. €299
