Nothing Ear 2 Review: A Worthy Successor or Just a "Nothing" Upgrade?
Despite its playful name, Nothing has carved a niche for itself in the tech world, especially in audio. Following the success of the original Nothing Ear 1, the brand has introduced the Nothing Ear 2, promising significant upgrades and aiming for a top spot in the fiercely competitive sub-Rs. 10,000 true wireless earbud market. But does this "Ear" evolution live up to the hype? Is it the best option in its price range, or just a clever repackaging of the original? Let’s dive into this in-depth review to find out.
Design and Features: Familiar Yet Refined
The Nothing Ear 2 doesn’t dramatically depart from its predecessor’s design. It retains the iconic transparent aesthetic, instantly recognizable and still quite eye-catching. The only noticeable change is the subtle "NOTHING ear (2)" inscription on the stems. This design choice, while not groundbreaking, remains visually appealing and a clear nod to its heritage.
The Ear 2 currently comes in just one color option: Transparent White. Unlike the Nothing Ear Stick, which opts for a more open design, the Ear 2 embraces a traditional in-ear fit, essential for proper noise isolation and effective active noise cancellation.
A notable upgrade lies in the control system. The touch-sensitive interface of the Ear 1 makes way for a force-touch system, similar to the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) and OnePlus Buds Pro 2. This feels far more responsive and accurate, a welcome change from the sometimes unreliable touch controls.
The customizable controls via the companion app allow users to control playback, volume, activate voice assistants, and switch between ANC and transparency modes. While the in-ear detection feature is designed to automatically play and pause music, it often failed to work reliably during my review.
The charging case, significantly smaller than the Ear 1’s, boasts a 485mAh battery despite the slightly reduced capacity. Nothing claims that earpiece improvements compensate for this, delivering comparable overall battery life. The case is now more pocketable and convenient, while maintaining Qi wireless charging capabilities and the option for wired USB Type-C charging.
App and Specifications: A Focus on Connectivity and Customization
The Nothing Ear 2 retains the 11.6mm dynamic drivers of its predecessor, but boasts significant upgrades in Bluetooth connectivity. It uses Bluetooth 5.3 and supports SBC, AAC, and the advanced LHDC Bluetooth codec. This high-quality codec, only supported on certain Android devices, theoretically enhances audio quality by enabling the earphones to receive more data from compatible sources.
While my attempt to use LHDC with a OnePlus 9 Pro (which supposedly supports it) failed, it worked flawlessly with the Nothing Phone 1. This, unfortunately, restricts the full benefits of the LHDC codec to Nothing Phone 1 users. iPhones and other Android devices are likely stuck with the AAC codec, which might impact sound quality.
The Nothing X app, available for both Android and iOS, is the control center for the Ear 2, offering numerous customization options. It allows users to adjust equaliser presets, customize gesture controls, fine-tune ANC intensity, and create personalized sound and ANC profiles. The app is well designed and functional but requires a bit of time to navigate and discover all its features.
Performance and Battery Life: Ecosystem Synergy and Sound Quality
The Nothing Ear 2 benefits from the growing Nothing ecosystem. It works exceptionally well with the Nothing Phone 1, showcasing its full potential and the true power of the LHDC codec. However, even without the Phone 1, the experience is still enjoyable.
When paired with the Nothing Phone 1 and streaming high-resolution tracks from Apple Music, the Ear 2 delivered a truly impressive audio experience. While the default equaliser preset initially boosted the bass, switching to the Balanced preset revealed a more natural and balanced sonic signature.
Tracks like "Lavender (Star One Remix)" by Frenchfire showcased the Ear 2’s ability to handle complex dance music with ease, capturing the quick shifts and sharp high-frequency elements with clarity. The bass was present and well-defined, blending seamlessly with busy details. Even with the AAC codec on a different smartphone, the Ear 2 retained a balanced and all-purpose sonic signature, though the detail level and extensions were slightly less pronounced compared to the LHDC experience.
The active noise cancellation, while functional, is not exceptional. Indoor sounds like fan noise and AC hum are still subtly audible. Furthermore, the Ear 2 employs a vacuum effect during ANC, which is often perceived as a sign of good noise cancellation but in reality indicates the opposite.
While the ANC might not be top-tier, it’s sufficient to block out enough noise for comfortable listening at moderate volumes. The transparency mode worked reasonably well, though the added amplification can feel a bit overwhelming after prolonged use.
The Ear 2’s battery life is comparable to the original Ear 1. Around four hours of playback are possible with ANC enabled, and the charging case extends this to a total of 22 hours per charge cycle. Given the smaller case, this is a decent overall performance, which can be further extended by disabling ANC.
Verdict: A Solid Performer, but Not Without Room for Improvement
The Nothing Ear 1 impressed with its price-to-performance ratio. While the Ear 2 doesn’t have a shockingly low price tag, it is still an excellent pair of true wireless earbuds at its Rs. 9,999 price point.
It competes with slightly more expensive options like the Oppo Enco X2 and OnePlus Buds Pro 2 and holds its own in terms of sound quality and performance. The only major drawback is the arguably limited implementation of the LHDC codec, requiring a Nothing Phone 1 for optimal performance. However, it is a well-designed and stylish pair of headphones that functions competently even with other source devices.
If you have a budget of Rs. 10,000 and are looking for a stylish, well-rounded, and capable audio experience, the Nothing Ear 2 is certainly worth considering, especially if you own a Nothing Phone 1.
