Nothing Ear (3a) gain the equalizer that kept them from matching twice-priced rivals

The affordable Nothing Ear (3a) earbuds have proven capable of competing with models that cost twice as much. After several weeks of use, they are hard to label as merely "good for the price" — they come across as a full-fledged product that needs no discount for being budget-friendly.

The key change from the previous Ear (a) generation is the addition of an equalizer. Its absence previously pushed buyers of the affordable version toward the pricier model. That complaint is now gone, noticeably shifting the market landscape.

The signature Nothing transparent design is intact. The color palette has expanded: pink joins black, white, and yellow. The case is more compact than the flagship Nothing Ear (3) and fits comfortably in a pocket. The in-ear shape is tuned so ears do not tire even after hours of wear. The price on AliExpress is around 7,000 rubles.

The case now features three LEDs instead of one, showing charge level and connection status. The pairing button is hidden under the lid, and Fast Pair support on Android simplifies switching between devices.

Battery life does not disappoint: the earbuds last 3-5 hours of continuous playback, with up to 42 hours claimed alongside the case. In practice, the numbers hold up: about 20 hours of use left the case at roughly 45% charge. Wireless charging is absent, but with that kind of endurance, it is unlikely to be a real issue.

Out of the box, the sound is noticeably less neutral than the previous generation, adding liveliness, though those who prefer accurate reproduction may want to tweak the settings. In this regard, the earbuds trail competitors like the realme Buds Air8 Pro, which were reviewed recently, but the overall balance of features and price makes the Nothing Ear (3a) one of the most interesting options in its segment.