Nothing Headphone 1
At ₹21,999, the Nothing Headphone 1 makes a bold entrance into India’s over-ear headphone market. Priced competitively, they share a bracket with big names like Sony and Sennheiser. Meanwhile, Apple’s latest 11th-generation iPad starts at ₹32,990 in India. While one is a portable audio gadget, and the other a productivity device, both offer essential value in everyday tech life. If you’re weighing either purchase, here’s a fresh look at Nothing’s new cans—what they do well, where they fall short, and if you should give them a spin.
A Unique and Fresh Design That Turns Heads
Nothing has always pushed the envelope with transparent design. The Headphone 1 continues this trend with see-through earcups and CNC-machined aluminum bands. They look futuristic without feeling over the top. The 329‑gram weight gives them a firm presence, but comfort holds steady. The plush memory-foam earcups and cushioned headband stay cozy through long editing sessions or flights. Still, the earcups don’t fold—so portability isn’t their strongest suit. But the included softshell case helps mitigate that.
IP52 dust and splash resistance adds real-world value—most rivals don’t offer any protection. And Nothing guarantees ruggedness through over 50 durability tests. The design strikes a nice balance between flash and function.
Tactile Controls: Refreshingly Physical
Instead of touch-sensitive gimmicks, Nothing uses physical controls. A volume roller, skip paddle, and custom button let you adjust ANC or summon your voice assistant. These controls are more satisfying than silent taps on glass. For Nothing Phone 3 owners, you unlock extras like Channel Hop and voice-note recording via Essential Space. But Android or other phone users should note: those perks won’t apply.
Sound Performance: Tuned by KEF, Optimized by You
Under the shell are 40 mm drivers tuned with UK audio specialists KEF. The stock sound is bass-heavy and slightly dark, with recessed vocals and mild treble dullness. It’s not bad—it’s just not refined out of the box.
Here’s where the Nothing X app saves the day. The 8‑band EQ, Q‑factor adjustment, and presets help you tweak audio to your taste. Once adjusted, vocals pop, trebles shine, and bass becomes sweeter. Spatial audio adds immersive head‑tracking fun during games and movies.
These cans also support LDAC, 24‑bit/96 kHz, and even hold Hi‑Res Wireless Audio certification—rare features at this price. Reviewers praised natural timbre and engaging soundstage . Yet distortion appears at high volume . Still, many will find the tuning flexibility enough to compete with higher-end rivals.
ANC and Mic Quality: Well-Rounded Performance
The hybrid ANC system uses six mics and adapts in real time. It can cancel up to 42 dB per specs, effectively trimming low rumble and chatter. Passive isolation also helps block noise passively.
They include a four‑mic array and AI‑driven voice isolation for calls. Users say call quality is reliable even in windy or busy environments. And smart wear detection pauses playback when removed.
Battery Life: Impressive and Reliable
The Headphone 1 wins on battery. With ANC on, you get around 35 hours, with reports of over 42 hours . Without ANC, expect almost 80 hours of playback. A 5‑minute fast charge gives you roughly 2.4 hours of listening. Also, dual‑device Bluetooth 5.3, Fast Pair, Swift Pair, and wired USB‑C or 3.5 mm options complete the connectivity package.
Where They Could Improve
Nothing nails many aspects, yet a few gaps remain. The opaque sound tuning demands EQ tweaking—users must be willing to adjust settings. Compared to flagship audio like Sony WH‑1000XM5, the openness and dynamic punch still leave room for improvement. And the un-foldable design makes them less travel-friendly. Finally, certain ecosystem extras are locked to Nothing Phones.
Final Verdict: Are They Worth It?
The Nothing Headphone 1 stand out at ₹21,999. They combine bold design, feature-rich ANC, excellent battery, and sound customization. They almost hold their own against pricier models. But to get there, you must commit to EQ fine-tuning and accept minor ergonomics limitations.
If you love making things look cool, tweak sound to perfection, and want dependable ANC, these are a lively debut. But purists chasing top-tier audio sheen might lean toward Sony or Sennheiser. And if you’re torn between headphones and a tablet that costs a bit more, choose based on lifestyle: entertainment vs productivity.
