Earbuds / Compare

Nothing Ear (a) vs OnePlus Buds 3

A

Product A: Nothing

Ear (a)

77 of 166 known

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B

Product B: OnePlus

Buds 3

84 of 166 known

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All 166 fields

Every value links to where we found it.

Only differences

ANothing Ear (a)

BOnePlus Buds 3

General

5 of 8 differ

Series

Not available

Not available

Model numbersiMaker identifiers for this exact model and its listed variants. Excludes sibling models and other generations.

B1623Owner's manualcdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0586/3270/0077/files/ear_a_EN.pdfRead 8 October 2026

E509A8Press articlefonearena.com/blog/410958/oneplus-buds-3-fcc-certification.html/ampRead 10 October 2026FCC filing reported before launch under model E509A. Not checked against the product label. Pre-launch figures in that article (4.77 g, 48 dB) differ from the final specifications and are not used.

GTIN / EAN

Not available

Not available

AnnouncediThe maker's first announcement of this model. This is separate from first retail availability.

Not available

23 January 20247Press articlethetechoutlook.com/new-release/gadgets-release/earphones/oneplus-buds-3-launched-in-india-at-the-starting-price-of-rs-5499Read 10 October 2026Global launch with the OnePlus 12 and 12R, article dated 23 January 2024. The earbuds had already launched in China in January 2024.

Status

Available1Maker product pageus.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026Current US maker page with Black selected offers Add to bag. No current price is represented as launch MSRP.

Available1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026Maker still lists the product with a Buy now button.

PredecessoriThe model this one directly replaced, in the same line, tier and size, as the maker or a trusted review names it.

Not available

Not available

SuccessoriThe model that directly replaced this one, in the same line, tier and size. A revision such as a Slim or OLED model does not count when a next generation exists.

Nothing Ear (3a)18Reviewsoundguys.com/nothing-ear-3a-review-159720Read 23 October 2026SoundGuys calls the Nothing Ear (3a) the successor to the Nothing Ear (a).

OnePlus Buds 49Reviewtechradar.com/audio/earbuds-airpods/oneplus-buds-4-reviewRead 23 October 2026TechRadar's review says the OnePlus Buds 4 are the successors to last year's OnePlus Buds 3.

Launch price (US)iThe maker's US launch MSRP for the stated configuration, excluding tax. Current store prices and later discounts do not qualify.

Not available

$993Reviewtomsguide.com/reviews/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026Priced at 99 USD at launch. The review is dated 5 February 2024.4Reviewandroidcentral.com/accessories/audio/oneplus-buds-3-reviewRead 10 October 2026Starts at 99 USD in North America.5Press article9to5google.comRead 10 October 2026Announced at 99 USD, 79 USD below the OnePlus Buds Pro 2.

Launch price (EU)iThe maker's euro launch price for the stated configuration, including VAT as published. Current store prices and later discounts do not qualify.

Not available

€996Press articleandroidworld.nl/nieuws/oneplus-kondigt-oneplus-buds-3-aan-oordopjes-van-99-euroRead 10 October 2026Recommended price 99 EUR in the Netherlands and Belgium from 6 February. VAT included as published. Notebookcheck reports the same 99 EUR for Europe.

MarketsiISO country or region codes where this exact model or variant is sold. A source page's language does not establish availability.

US1Maker product pageus.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026

Not available

ColoursiThe maker's own colour names

Black, White, Yellow1Maker product pageus.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026Current maker selector offers Black, White and Yellow. The sole represented reference configuration is Black.

Metallic Gray, Splendid Blue1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 20265Press article9to5google.comRead 10 October 2026

Segment

Music2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026

Music2Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026

Design

0 of 4 differ

Form factoriIn-ear seals the ear canal with a tip. Semi-in-ear rests in the outer ear without a seal. Open-ear leaves the ear canal unobstructed.

In-ear2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026Maker product views and supplied sealing tips identify an in-ear stem design. No hook is pictured or listed, but a negative stabilizer claim is not inferred from this alone.

In-ear2Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026The earbuds use silicone ear tips in three sizes.

Bud shapeiStem describes an extending control or microphone stalk. Stemless describes a compact body without a stalk.

Stem2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026

Stem2Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026Volume is controlled on the stems of the earbuds.

Use one bud aloneiWhich earbud can operate alone. This does not mean two earbuds can play from different sources.

Not available

Not available

RGB lighting

Not available

Not available

Drivers and sound

9 of 17 differ

Drivers per budiAudio transducers in one earbud. Rows distinguish their type, acoustic role and published diameter. Do not count microphones.

ANothing Ear (a)

Type	Diameter (mm)
Dynamic	11

Source2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026Maker identifies an 11 mm dynamic driver and PMI + TPU diaphragm. A separate explicit physical driver quantity was not found, so the count and derived per-bud quantity remain unknown.

BOnePlus Buds 3

Type	Role	Diameter (mm)	Count per earbud
Dynamic	Woofer	10.4	1
Dynamic	Tweeter	6	1

Source1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 202610.4 mm woofer plus 6 mm tweeter dual drivers per earbud. The overview page calls them dual dynamic drivers.

Driver typeiPublished transducer technology. High-excursion, composite and neodymium do not by themselves establish a driver type.

Dynamic2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026

Dynamic2Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026

Driver sizeiLargest explicitly published circular driver diameter in one earbud. A rectangular driver width is not a diameter.

11mm=CalculatedFrom Drivers per bud

10.4mm=CalculatedFrom Drivers per bud

Drivers per budiTotal audio transducers in one earbud, summed from explicit driver quantities. A row with an unknown quantity makes the total unknown.

Not available

2=CalculatedFrom Drivers per bud

Diaphragm material

PMI + TPU2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026

Woofer: dual outer layer of TPU material.2Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026Woofer outer layer is dual TPU. The tweeter material is not stated.

Frequency responseiPublished acoustic frequency response of the earbuds. Codec transmission bandwidth alone does not qualify. Conditions belong in the source note.

Not available

Min15 HzMax40 kHz1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 202615 Hz to 40 kHz acoustic frequency response. Test method is not stated.

Impedance

Not available

Not available

SensitivityiPublished acoustic sensitivity. The electrical reference and frequency must be stated in sensitivity_reference or the source note.

Not available

Not available

Sensitivity reference

Not available

Not available

Max sample rateiHighest supported audio sample rate under the codec and source-device conditions in the source note. This does not establish lossless playback.

96kHz2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026Up to 96 kHz / 24-bit over LDAC with a compatible source device. This is Bluetooth codec support, not acoustic frequency response or lossless playback.

96kHz2Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026LHDC 5.0 claim of 96 kHz and 24 bit at 1 Mbps. Needs a compatible source. Not supported on iOS.

Max bit depthiHighest supported audio bit depth under the codec and source-device conditions in the source note. Bluetooth version alone does not establish this.

24bits2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026Up to 24-bit / 96 kHz over LDAC. The source phone must support and enable LDAC.

24bits2Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026

Adaptive EQiAn inner mic tunes the sound to your ear in real time

Not available

Not available

Personalised soundiA profile from a hearing test or ear scan

No14Reviewsoundguys.com/nothing-ear-a-review-114747Read 8 October 2026The reviewed Ear (a) does not offer the hearing-test sound profile of B171 Ear. No later model capability is transferred.17Reviewrtings.com/headphones/reviews/nothing/ear-a-truly-wirelessRead 8 October 2026The public Differences section explicitly describes no custom sound profile based on hearing. Tested edition is White B162 Ear (a). All colors share the documented model hardware, but test configuration remains named. Paid numerical results and hidden data are not accessed.

Yes2Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026

Onboard EQ

Not available

Yes3Reviewtomsguide.com/reviews/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026

Custom EQ bandsiNumber of independently adjustable custom equalizer frequency bands. Availability may require current firmware, an app or a compatible device.

314Reviewsoundguys.com/nothing-ear-a-review-114747Read 8 October 2026Reviewer explicitly identifies a three-band equalizer, separate from the advanced equalizer on B171 Nothing Ear. Reviewed app version 2.3.16 and earbud firmware 1.0.1.41.

63Reviewtomsguide.com/reviews/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026Sound Master EQ offers a customizable 6-band equalizer.

EQ presetsiNamed equalizer sound presets. Noise-control modes and spatial-audio modes are separate features.

Balanced, More Bass, More Treble, Voice11Maker product pagesupport.nothing.tech/hc/en-us/articles/23726159847057-How-many-equaliser-settings-does-Ear-a-haveRead 8 October 2026Four exact named sound effects plus a custom setting. Bass Enhance intensity and ANC strengths are separate controls.

Balanced, Serenade, Bass3Reviewtomsguide.com/reviews/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026Three presets: Balanced, Serenade and Bass, plus the BassWave setting.

Volume limit

Not available

Not available

Spatial audio

2 of 2 differ

Spatial audioiNamed spatial or surround audio processing supported with the source and platform conditions stated in the source note.

Not available

OnePlus 3D Audio2Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026

Head trackingiSpatial audio changes with head movement. Static spatial processing alone does not qualify. Compatible device or content requirements belong in the source note.

Not available

No2Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026Footnote 6: 3D audio does not support head tracking.

Noise cancelling

3 of 11 differ

Active noise cancelling

Yes2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026

Yes1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026

ANC typeiFeedforward uses exterior microphones. Feedback uses interior microphones. Hybrid uses both. Adaptive control is separate from microphone placement.

Not available

Hybrid2Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026The microphone graphic shows a feed-forward and a feed-back microphone in each earbud, plus a talk microphone. Both ANC microphone positions make this hybrid.

ANC microphones in both earbudsiPhysical microphones used by ANC across the pair. A shared call and ANC microphone counts once. Case microphones and vibration sensors are excluded.

Not available

42Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026Two ANC microphones per earbud, four across the pair. The talk microphone is not counted.

Adaptive ANCiANC strength or calibration adjusts automatically to noise, fit or ear acoustics. The source note states the adjustment conditions.

Yes2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026Adaptive ANC adjusts cancellation strength to surrounding noise. Smart ANC separately compensates ear-canal leakage. Neither proves automatic blending with transparency or adaptive sound EQ.

Yes2Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026Adaptive noise cancellation scans the ear canal shape. Smart Scene Noise Cancellation analyses ambient noise in the background.

ANC levelsiNumber of selectable ANC strength levels. Excludes ANC off, transparency and activity profiles unless they explicitly set distinct strength levels.

32Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026Three selectable strengths, Low, Mid and High. Adaptive is separate and not counted as a fourth fixed strength.

32Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026Three intensity levels: Mild, Moderate and Max. Tom's Guide also lists a Smart mode.

ANC attenuation (claimed)iManufacturer maximum claimed noise attenuation. Frequency and measurement conditions belong in the source note. This is not reviewer-measured overall attenuation.

45dB2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026Up to 45 dB maker claim. The page also gives a 5000 Hz cancellation bandwidth, without locating the 45 dB maximum at a specific frequency. No measured overall attenuation is inferred.

49dB1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026Up to 49 dB Smart Adaptive Noise Cancellation. Overview page adds a 4000 Hz cancellation range and TUV Rheinland certification.

Transparency mode

Yes2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026

Yes1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026

Adjustable transparency

Not available

Not available

Automatic ANC and transparency blendiAutomatically blends active cancellation with ambient sound. Automatic activity-based switching between separate modes alone does not qualify.

Not available

Not available

Conversation detection

Not available

Not available

Wind noise reductioniA documented physical design or processing feature for reducing wind noise. The source note distinguishes mesh or shape changes from selectable processing.

Yes2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026Clear Voice Technology describes a redesigned talk microphone and extra stem airway for wind passage. This is physical call-wind handling, not a separately selectable wind mode.

Yes2Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026AI Clear Call with three built-in mics and an anti-wind noise design.

Measured

3 of 23 differ

Frequency response notes (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Default response has elevated sub-bass, recessed 200 to 500 Hz mids and reduced output above 8 kHz relative to the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve.14Reviewsoundguys.com/nothing-ear-a-review-114747Read 8 October 2026Reviewer original default-response chart and discussion against SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. Firmware 1.0.1.41, app 2.3.16. No approximate chart amplitude is entered as an exact numerical metric.

Not available

Bass amount (measured)iDeviation from the review source target in the bass range. Positive means more bass. Target, test method and settings belong in the source note.

Not available

Not available

Treble amount (measured)iDeviation from the review source target in the treble range. Positive means more treble. Values from different targets may not be directly comparable.

Not available

Not available

Deviation from target (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Consistency between fittings (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Harmonic distortion (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Sound leakage (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Noise isolation (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Noise isolation, best (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Passive isolation (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Call quality notes (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Mic low-frequency extension (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Mic high-frequency extension (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Mic speech-to-noise ratio (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Latency (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Bluetooth latency, worst (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

2.4 GHz latency, worst (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Latency in game mode (measured)iThe best case the buds can reach. Measured by a reviewer

Not available

Not available

Battery life (measured)iReviewer-tested operation from one full charge of the earbuds. Excludes case recharges. ANC, codec, connection, volume and tested edition belong in the row or source note.

ANothing Ear (a)

Hours (h)
8.82

Source14Reviewsoundguys.com/nothing-ear-a-review-114747Read 8 October 2026SoundGuys tested B162 Ear (a) over two weeks, firmware 1.0.1.41, app 2.3.16, visibly Yellow. One charge ran 8 h 49 min, converted to hours. Battery paragraph does not identify ANC setting, codec, host or playback level, so these conditions are left unknown. The iPhone/AAC anecdote is not assumed to be the battery test. Case runtime 42.5 h is a maker claim, not a measured result.

BOnePlus Buds 3

ANC	Hours (h)
Yes	7

Source4Reviewandroidcentral.com/accessories/audio/oneplus-buds-3-reviewRead 10 October 2026Reviewer reports about seven hours with ANC on, no hi-res playback and default volume. It is an approximate figure from daily use. Firmware and codec are not stated.

Longest tested use per chargeiHighest earbuds-only duration among stored reviewer tests. Modes and settings may differ between tests and products.

8.82h=CalculatedFrom Battery life (measured)

7h=CalculatedFrom Battery life (measured)

Battery life with case (measured)iReviewer-tested total including earbuds and case recharges. Do not calculate this by multiplying one-charge runtime by claimed recharge count.

Not available

Not available

Full charge time (measured)iBuds in the case, 0 to 100 %. Measured by a reviewer

Not available

Not available

Weight per bud (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Microphones and calls

1 of 7 differ

Voice microphones in both earbudsiPhysical call and beamforming microphones across the pair. Excludes case microphones and vibration sensors. Shared ANC microphones can also count here when used for calls.

62Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026Maker explicitly lists Clear Voice Technology with three microphones per bud, six across the pair. Case microphones and vibration sensors are not included.

61Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 20263 mics per side. The overview page names a feed-forward, a feed-back and a talk microphone, used for AI Clear Call.

All microphones in both earbudsiEvery physical microphone across the pair, including call and ANC microphones. Shared microphones count once. Excludes the charging case and voice vibration sensors.

62Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026Maker Other features explicitly lists three microphones per bud. The six physical microphones across the pair are counted once, without adding ANC logical functions as extra microphones.

61Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026

Bone conduction voice sensoriA dedicated bone or jaw conduction sensor for detecting speech vibrations. A microphone or speech-detecting accelerometer alone does not prove this architecture.

Not available

Not available

Mic noise reduction

Not available

AI2Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026AI Clear Call algorithm keeps calls free of wind and background noise.

Call audio bandwidthiHighest supported call-audio bandwidth. Compatible phone, operating system, call app or network requirements belong in the source note.

Not available

Not available

Mic mute controliAn earbud control that mutes the microphone during calls. Includes touch or pressure gestures and physical buttons. Phone/app-only controls do not qualify.

Not available

Not available

SidetoneiHear your own voice in calls

Not available

Not available

Connectivity

6 of 18 differ

Chip

Not available

Not available

Connections

Bluetooth2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026

Bluetooth1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026

Bluetooth

5.32Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026

5.31Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026

Bluetooth codecs

AAC, SBC, LDAC2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026

LHDC, AAC, SBC1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026LHDC, AAC and SBC. The overview page names LHDC 5.0.3Reviewtomsguide.com/reviews/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026

Bluetooth profiles

RFCOMM, SPP, HFP, A2DP, AVDTP, AVCTP, AVRCP2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026

HFP, A2DP, AVRCP1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026

LE Audio

No7Maker product pagesupport.nothing.tech/hc/en-us/articles/23726190280721-Does-Ear-a-support-LE-AudioRead 8 October 2026Exact maker FAQ explicitly says LE Audio is unsupported. Bluetooth 5.3 by itself does not establish LE Audio or Auracast. A SoundGuys sentence predicting Auracast from Bluetooth version is not treated as device support.

Not available

Auracast

Not available

Not available

MultipointiConcurrent Bluetooth connections to multiple source devices. Pairing memory and switching through a manufacturer account alone do not qualify.

Yes2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026

Yes1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026The page lists Dual Connection. The overview page says two devices can be connected simultaneously.2Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026

Multipoint devicesiMaximum source devices concurrently connected by Bluetooth, not the number remembered in pairing history.

22Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026

21Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026

Multipoint with LDACiMany buds turn multipoint off on LDAC

Not available

Not available

Paired devices rememberediMaximum remembered Bluetooth source pairings. This is separate from simultaneous multipoint connections.

88Maker product pagesupport.nothing.tech/hc/en-us/articles/23726184417937-How-many-devices-can-Ear-a-be-paired-withRead 8 October 2026Maker states a maximum of eight saved source-device records, distinct from two concurrent Dual Connection devices.

Not available

Automatic switching between own devicesiThrough the maker's account

Not available

Not available

Fast pairing

Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026

Google Fast Pair1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026

Audio sharingiShare one stream with a second pair

Not available

Not available

Wireless range (claimed)

Not available

10m1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 202610 m. Footnote: requires Bluetooth-compatible devices with a maximum transmission range of 10 meters. Interference may break the connection.

Wireless receiveri2.4 GHz dongle

Not available

Not available

Receiver connector

Not available

Not available

Simultaneous 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth audioiBoth connection types can play audio together. Quick switching between independent modes does not qualify.

Not available

Not available

Latency

2 of 3 differ

Low latency mode

Yes2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026

Yes1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026

Claimed latency

ANothing Ear (a)

Not available

BOnePlus Buds 3

Connection	Mode	Latency (ms)
Bluetooth	Select OnePlus phones with Pro Gaming mode on	94

Source1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026Audio latency 94 ms. Overview footnote: as low as 94 ms with select OnePlus phones and Pro Gaming mode enabled.

Lowest claimed latency

Not available

94ms=CalculatedFrom Claimed latency

Compatibility

2 of 4 differ

PlatformsiPlatforms with documented audio support. App availability and advanced features can be more limited. Edition-specific support is listed in variants.

Android, iOS13Maker product pagesupport.nothing.tech/hc/en-us/articles/23726160252817-Which-devices-are-compatible-with-Ear-aRead 8 October 2026Current exact maker support says Android 5.1 and later, iOS 13 and later. This is documented compatibility, without inferring other platforms from generic Bluetooth capability.

Android, iOS2Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026HeyMelody is available on Google Play and the iOS App Store. Other Bluetooth devices are supported. Hi-Res is not supported on iOS.

Connection per platformiDocumented audio connection for each platform. USB-C phone routes require a compatible port. Platform edition and microphone restrictions belong in source notes or feature requirements.

ANothing Ear (a)

Not available

BOnePlus Buds 3

Platform	Connection
Android	Bluetooth
iOS	Bluetooth

Source2Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026

Features that need a specific deviceiDevice, operating system, firmware, codec, content, account or region requirements for a named feature.

ANothing Ear (a)

Feature	Needs
LDAC high-resolution audio	Compatible Android source with LDAC enabled and high-definition audio enabled in Nothing X. For high-bitrate streams the maker recommends disabling Dual Connection.
Nothing X configuration	Android 5.1 or later, or iOS 13 or later according to current Ear (a) support.
Google Fast Pair	Supported Android device with Google Play services 11.7 or later, Android 6.0 or later.
Automatic Low Lag Mode	Game Mode on a compatible Nothing phone. Other users can enable Low Lag Mode in Nothing X.

Source12Maker product pagesupport.nothing.tech/hc/en-us/articles/23726219572881-How-do-I-use-the-LDAC-featureRead 8 October 2026LDAC FAQ recommends adaptive bitrate and, for a higher-quality stream, disabling Dual Connection. It does not categorically prohibit all concurrent LDAC/multipoint use, so multipoint_ldac is not set false. Current compatibility FAQ gives iOS 13 minimum, stronger than legacy full specifications iOS 11. Low-lag and Fast Pair conditions come from the original product page. An under-120-ms headline differs from the as-low-as-120-ms disclaimer, so no exact numeric latency is stored.16Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026Product-page Disclaimers 8, 15 and 16 give Nothing phone Game Mode, dual-connection and Google Fast Pair conditions. ChatGPT integration is not stored as universal assistant support.

BOnePlus Buds 3

Feature	Needs
Hi-Res audio with LHDC	Needs a source device with LHDC 4.0 or later. Set in Earbuds Function on OnePlus phones with Android 12 or later. Other Android 7.0 or later devices use HeyMelody. Not supported on iOS.
OnePlus Audio ID 2.0	OnePlus phones with Android 11 or later set it in Earbuds Function. Other Android 7.0 or later and iOS devices use HeyMelody.
OnePlus 3D Audio	Does not support head tracking. OnePlus phones with Android 11 or later set it in Earbuds Function. Other Android 7.0 or later and iOS devices use HeyMelody.
OnePlus Fast Pair	OnePlus 6 series and later phones running Android 11 or later.
94 ms low latency	Select OnePlus phone models with Pro Gaming mode enabled.

Source2Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026

Official licence

Not available

Not available

Battery and charging

11 of 13 differ

Battery per budiBattery cell capacity of one earbud. The source note states typical or rated capacity. Charging input current is not capacity.

46mAh2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026Published 46 mAh per earbud. The maker does not label typical versus rated capacity. No energy or voltage is derived.

58mAh1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026

User-replaceable earbud batteryiThe maker documents normal battery replacement by the user with its approved procedure and tools. Service or recycling disassembly does not count.

Not available

Not available

Claimed battery lifeiManufacturer maximum runtime under the stated mode, codec and spatial processing state. Name the spatial or immersive processing mode and other conditions in source notes. Omit unspecified settings. with_case false means one charge of the earbuds. true means earbuds plus case recharges.

ANothing Ear (a)

Mode	Codec	Includes case recharges	Hours (h)
ANC off	AAC	No	9.5
ANC off	AAC	Yes	42.5
ANC on	AAC	No	5.5
ANC on	AAC	Yes	24.5
Transparency	AAC	No	5.5
Transparency	AAC	Yes	24.5
Call	Not available	No	5.2
Call	Not available	Yes	23

Source4Maker product pagesupport.nothing.tech/hc/en-us/articles/23726182764305-What-is-the-battery-life-of-Ear-aRead 8 October 2026Exact Ear (a) support table separates earbuds-only and case-inclusive music runtimes. ANC on and transparency are each 5.5 h / 24.5 h. The call rows represent ANC-off 5.2 h / 23 h. Separate ANC-on/transparency talk claims are 4 h / 18 h, but the call enum cannot distinguish that condition, so they are stated here rather than duplicated as indistinguishable rows. Nothing laboratory conditions are 25 C, AAC music playback, 50 percent volume and default other features. The source applies these test conditions to the table without specifying a call codec, so AAC is omitted from call rows.

BOnePlus Buds 3

Mode	Codec	Includes case recharges	Hours (h)
ANC off	AAC	No	10
ANC off	AAC	Yes	44
ANC on	AAC	No	6.5
ANC on	AAC	Yes	28
ANC off	LHDC	No	7
ANC off	LHDC	Yes	30
ANC on	LHDC	No	5.5
ANC on	LHDC	Yes	24
Call	Not available	No	4

Source1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026All rows at 50 percent volume. ANC on rows are listed as ANC on or Transparency mode. AAC: ANC off 10 h earbuds and 44 h with case, ANC on 6.5 h and 28 h. LHDC: ANC off 7 h and 30 h, ANC on 5.5 h and 24 h. Talk time with ANC on or transparency in HFP: up to 4 h, earbuds only.

Longest claimed use per chargeiHighest earbuds-only runtime among all stored modes. This can be ANC off, Hearing Aid, heart-rate or call use. Read the battery table and source conditions.

9.5h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

10h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

Playback per charge with ANC (claimed)iHighest claimed earbuds-only playback with ANC enabled. Codec and spatial-audio conditions belong in the source note.

5.5h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

6.5h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

Playback per charge without ANC (claimed)iHighest claimed earbuds-only playback with ANC disabled. Codec and volume conditions belong in the source note.

9.5h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

10h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

Total with case (claimed)iHighest claimed runtime including the initial earbud charge and all case recharges. It is not the case recharge runtime alone.

42.5h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

44h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

Total with case and ANC (claimed)iClaimed total playback with ANC, including the initial earbud charge and case recharges.

24.5h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

28h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

Talk time (claimed)

5.2h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

4h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

Full charge time, budsiTime to charge discharged earbuds to full in the case. Excludes charging the case itself or a combined buds-and-case result.

80min2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026Disclaimer 10 directly states 80 minutes for the earbuds to charge inside a case that is not connected to external power. Nothing lab conditions are 25 C and Nothing Power 45 W for the separate externally powered test. The 90-minute combined earbuds-and-case result is not stored as case-only timing.

Not available

Charging guidanceiPublished charging guidance or estimates that do not separate earbuds and case. Preserve the maker’s component scope and limits. Do not assign an unspecified or combined estimate to a component-specific numeric field.

Charge the earbuds in the closed case. Use USB-C to charge the case, with a 5 V / 1.5 A or higher adapter. The maker reports 80 minutes for an earbud charge in an unplugged case and 90 minutes for an empty earbuds-and-case set charged together. Ten minutes gives up to 3.2 hours of earbud playback with ANC off, or 2 hours with ANC on. The separate case-inclusive quick-charge claim is 10 hours with ANC off and 6 hours with ANC on in support, while the product-page footnote says 9.5 hours with ANC off. These are maker laboratory estimates, not case-only charge times.6Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026Product-page Disclaimer 10 to 12 separates 80-minute buds and 90-minute combined timing, gives adapter guidance 5 V / 1.5 A or higher, and uses Nothing Power 45 W at 25 C. The adapter rating is not device input power. Disclaimer 12 gives 9.5 h case-inclusive after 10 minutes, conflicting with the 10 h headline and dedicated support article. Both source statements are retained without guessing a reconciliation.

Not available

Quick charge timeiCharge duration corresponding to quick_charge_playback_h. Source note states earbuds-only or case-inclusive charging and playback settings.

10min5Maker product pagesupport.nothing.tech/hc/en-us/articles/23726182885393-Does-Ear-a-support-fast-chargingRead 8 October 202610 minutes corresponding to the ANC-off 3.2-hour earbud claim. The published support text does not state the initial case state for this standalone claim.

10min1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026

Earbud playback after quick chargeiEarbuds-only runtime after quick_charge_min of charging. A claimed case-inclusive total does not qualify. ANC, codec and volume conditions belong in the source note.

3.2h5Maker product pagesupport.nothing.tech/hc/en-us/articles/23726182885393-Does-Ear-a-support-fast-chargingRead 8 October 2026Dedicated maker support states up to 3.2 h earbuds-only with ANC off after 10 minutes. Its ANC-on earbuds-only claim is 2 h. Test conditions are AAC, 50 percent volume, default other features and 25 C. The separately stated case-inclusive 10 h / 6 h figures are not substituted for earbuds-only playback.

2h1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 202610 minutes of charging gives 2 hours of earbuds playback, with ANC off, 50 percent volume and AAC. The 7 hour figure includes the charging case and is not stored.2Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026

Charging case

1 of 10 differ

Case batteryiCharging-case battery cell capacity. The source note distinguishes typical, rated and output capacity. USB output capacity alone does not qualify.

500mAh2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026Published case battery-cell capacity 500 mAh. No USB output capacity or battery voltage is inferred.

520mAh1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026

User-replaceable case batteryiThe maker documents normal case battery replacement by the user with its approved procedure and tools. Service or recycling disassembly does not count.

Not available

Not available

Case charging port

USB-C2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026USB Type-C charging is for the case. It does not establish wired audio playback.

USB-C1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026

Case full charge timeiBy cable, 0 to 100 %. A time the maker gives with the earbuds inside the case counts, and the source note says so.

Not available

Not available

Wireless charging

No2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026Manufacturer comparison explicitly marks Ear (a) wireless charging No. B171 Ear wireless charging is not transferred.

No3Reviewtomsguide.com/reviews/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026The charging case does not support Qi wireless charging.4Reviewandroidcentral.com/accessories/audio/oneplus-buds-3-reviewRead 10 October 2026The reviewer states there is no wireless charging.

Wireless standardsiDocumented case charging standards or supported chargers. Magnetic alignment alone does not establish Qi2 certification.

Not available

Not available

Wireless charging poweriHighest wireless charging input the maker states for the case. The output of a charging pad does not count.

Not available

Not available

Speaker in caseiAn audio speaker physically in the charging case, for locating or status sounds. A microphone in the case is separate.

Not available

Not available

Screen on case

Not available

Not available

Case works as audio transmitteriCase relays external source audio through USB or an analog audio input. A case microphone for recording or calls does not qualify.

Not available

Not available

Controls

4 of 5 differ

ControlsiPressure is a force sensor that does not move, such as a stem you squeeze. Button is a key that moves when pressed.

Pressure2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026Maker names pinch controls. The original guide labels a force sensor. Broad touch-control translations on another region do not change the pressure-control mechanism.

Touch, Swipe1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 20262Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026

Earbud volume controliHow earbud controls adjust volume, including a voice command if supported. Phone or app controls alone do not qualify.

Pressure9Maker product pagesupport.nothing.tech/hc/en-us/articles/23726233497489-How-do-I-adjust-the-volume-on-Ear-aRead 8 October 2026Assign Pinch and hold or Double pinch and hold to volume in Nothing X. Once held, volume changes by a step every 0.9 seconds. Phone controls alone are not counted.

Swipe1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 20262Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026Slide a finger up or down on the stems to change volume.

Gestures

Single pinch: play/pause or answer/end call, Double pinch: skip forward or reject call, Triple pinch: skip back, Pinch and hold: switch ANC/transparency3Owner's manualcdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0586/3270/0077/files/ear_a_EN.pdfRead 8 October 2026Original OPERATIONS panel shows force-sensor pressure controls. Custom volume and voice-assistant assignments are separate Nothing X options. Fitted tips are medium.

Tap twice: next song, answer or hang up a call, Tap three times: previous song, Tap and hold 3 seconds: reject call, Press and hold: switch noise cancellation or transparency mode, Slide finger up or down: volume1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026Specification list of touch control and touch volume control. A single tap does nothing by default, per Android Central.

Remappable controls

Yes2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026

Yes3Reviewtomsguide.com/reviews/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026

Voice assistant

Not available

Google Assistant, Siri3Reviewtomsguide.com/reviews/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026

Sensors and health

2 of 9 differ

In-ear detection

Yes2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026

Not available

Sensors

Not available

Not available

Heart rate sensor

Not available

Not available

Skin temperature sensingiA documented skin temperature sensor. This is separate from the operating temperature range or a heart-rate sensor.

Not available

Not available

Hearing aid featureiAmplification for mild to moderate hearing loss

Not available

Not available

Medical clearances

Not available

Not available

Hearing testiA documented hearing assessment feature, including consumer sound-personalization tests. Medical diagnostic clearance must be stated separately.

No14Reviewsoundguys.com/nothing-ear-a-review-114747Read 8 October 2026Exact review explicitly says no hearing test compared with B171 Ear. This is the tested Ear (a) feature set, not a claim about unspecified future firmware.

Not available

Hearing protectioniLimits sudden loud sounds

Not available

Not available

Health features

Not available

Not available

Fit and durability

2 of 7 differ

Ear tips includediTip sizes supplied with the product, including the pair fitted to the earbuds. Do not list separately sold sizes as included.

S, M, L2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026

S, M, L1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026

Ear tip materials

Silicone10Maker product pagesupport.nothing.tech/hc/en-us/articles/23726188190225-What-is-Ear-a-made-ofRead 8 October 2026Exact maker support explicitly names silicone tips. Plastic housing and stainless-steel hinge are also named, without a suitable separate schema field.

Silicone1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026

StabilisersiPhysical stabilizing fittings or structures. Stability bands are separate from fins, wings and ear hooks.

Not available

Not available

Ear tip fit test

Yes2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026

Yes3Reviewtomsguide.com/reviews/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026Earbud Fit Test is listed among the app features.

Dust and water rating, buds

IP542Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026

IP551Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026IP55 for the earbuds only.

Dust and water rating, case

IPX22Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026

IPX43Reviewtomsguide.com/reviews/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026Durability listed as IP55 for the earbuds and IPX4 for the charging case. The maker page states IP55 for the earbuds only.

Water resistance depth

Not available

Not available

Software

1 of 6 differ

Companion app

Nothing X2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026

HeyMelody and OnePlus Wireless Earphones1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026Support by Wireless Earphones and HeyMelody app. Overview page names HeyMelody and Earbuds Function.

App platforms

Android, iOS2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026

Android, iOS2Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026

User firmware updates

Yes2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026

Yes1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026

Finding network

Not available

Not available

Precision findingiUWB in the case

Not available

Not available

Live translation

Not available

Not available

Dimensions and weight

1 of 4 differ

Weight per budiMass of one earbud. Tip size and approximate values belong in the source note. Do not store pair or case-inclusive mass.

4.8g(0.2 oz)2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026Maker 4.8 g for one earbud. A specific tip size is not stated.

4.8g(0.2 oz)1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026Earbuds 4.8 g. Overview footnote: based on a sample mean of 4.84 g.

Bud dimensionsiDimensions of one earbud on the explicitly identified width, height and depth axes. An unlabeled tuple cannot establish those axes.

Not available

Not available

Case weightiCharging case mass excluding earbuds. Case-inclusive product mass does not qualify unless the source explicitly gives the empty-case figure.

39.6g(1.4 oz)2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026Design specification states charging case 39.6 g, separate from 4.8 g per earbud and 49.2 g combined. Rounded 40 g in secondary specifications does not override the maker.

40.8g(1.4 oz)1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026Charging case 40.8 g.

Case dimensionsiCharging-case width, height and depth on explicitly identified source axes. Report conflicting axis labels rather than reorder a tuple by appearance.

Not available

Not available

Certifications

2 of 3 differ

Hi-Res AudioiThe Japan Audio Society logos. Hi-Res Audio Wireless is also written Hi-Res Wireless Audio.

Hi-Res Audio Wireless2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026Maker explicitly names Hi-Res Wireless Audio certification under the LDAC section. No separate wired acoustic Hi-Res certification is inferred.

Not available

Communication certifications

Not available

Not available

FCC IDs

Not available

Not available

Other certifications

Not available

TÜV Rheinland certification for noise cancellation2Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026

In the box

2 of 2 differ

In the box

Pair of earbuds, Charging case, Ear tips in sizes S, M and L, USB Type-C cable, Safety and warranty information, User guide2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026Exact Ear (a) standard list. Ear tips S, M and L include the fitted medium pair. No external power adapter is listed.

OnePlus Buds 3 earbuds (one pair), OnePlus Buds 3 charging case, User guide, Silicone ear tips (S, M, L), Safety and Warranty card, USB Type-C charging cable1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026Earbuds, charging case, user guide, 3 silicone ear tips (S, M, L), safety and warranty card, USB Type-C cable.

Cables included

ANothing Ear (a)

Type	Count
USB Type-C	1

Source2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026

BOnePlus Buds 3

Type	Count
USB Type-C charging cable	1

Source1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026

Links

Not compared

Product page

us.nothing.tech/products/ear-a1Maker product pageus.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026

www.oneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-32Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3Read 10 October 2026

Spec sheet

checkout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-a2Maker product pagecheckout-my.nothing.tech/products/ear-aRead 8 October 2026Original full manufacturer Ear (a) specifications remain public on this regional maker page. Hardware belongs to B162, distinct from B171 Ear and later Ear (3a). The current US Black offer supplies regional availability.

www.oneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specs1Maker product pageoneplus.com/us/oneplus-buds-3/specsRead 10 October 2026

Manual

cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0586/3270/0077/files/ear_a_EN.pdf3Owner's manualcdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0586/3270/0077/files/ear_a_EN.pdfRead 8 October 2026Original maker-hosted Nothing Ear (a) English product guide, one-page folded sheet. Model B162 is printed on the title panel. English operations, pairing, charging and wear-detection panels were visually inspected because the PDF outlines most English text.

Not available

EPREL registration numberiId in the EU energy label database. Each size or model of a series has its own id, so it is per variant.

Not available

Not available

Warranty

None of 1 known

Manufacturer warranty (source market)iThe maker's warranty period for the exact SKU or configuration and market named in the source note. It applies only to that stated market, not every regional variant. Statutory consumer rights are excluded. The base term is stored. An extension that needs registration goes in the source note.

Not available

Not available

Both are also in the API. Back to all earbuds.