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Nothing thinks most headphones suck, so they're making their own
May 16, 2025
- Nothing teases its first over-ear headphones in a behind-the-scenes video.
- The engineers call out common flaws in mainstream models: confusing controls, lack of comfort, and inflated prices.
- The headphones promise better design, unique style, and sound quality that rivals the AirPods Max.
- Launch expected in summer 2025.
Nothing has revealed that it’s working on its first pair of over-ear headphones, and the motivation is blunt: most of what’s on the market isn’t good enough. In a newly released teaser video, engineers from the London-based company criticized current headphone offerings for being uncomfortable, hard to use, boring-looking, and often unjustifiably expensive.
The video opens with a tongue-in-cheek jab at Sony’s latest flagship model, the WH-1000XM6, highlighting the kind of “alphabet soup” naming conventions that plague the category. But the real critique runs deeper. “We don’t really like a single over-ear headphone that’s on the market,” one team member says, pointing to confusing button layouts and a lack of identity in current designs.
And, frankly, it’s hard to disagree. While many excellent headphones have their strengths, none of them so far feel like a well-rounded, complete package that gets everything right.
Nothing says its new headphones will address these issues head-on. It promises controls that are distinguishable by touch, more expressive styling, and a sound experience that prioritizes immersion without the usual learning curve. Despite competing with premium products like Apple’s AirPods Max, which retail for $500–$600, the company suggests its offering will outperform them—without the same price tag.
The engineering team cites its growing experience in the audio space—across five previous iterations of earbuds, including the most recent Nothing Ear and Ear (a)—as proof it’s ready to compete in the over-ear category. “We think we’re offering something no one else can— even if they charge twice as much,” one engineer claims.
While full specs and pricing remain under wraps, Nothing expects to launch the headphones sometime this summer.