When Nothing burst onto the scene in 2021 with the ear (1), its mission was a lofty one: make tech enjoyable once more. Two years, three merchandise, and 1.5 million gross sales later, it has managed to carve out a distinct segment for itself on the again of distinctive designs and savvy advertising and marketing. While the ear (1) and cellphone (1) felt unfinished at launch, Nothing obtained its act collectively on the finish of final 12 months with the introduction of the Ear (stick).The model is kicking issues off in 2023 with the debut of the Ear (2). It’s typically tough to launch a follow-up product because it has to stay as much as elevated expectations from present customers, however Nothing says it has discovered loads over the past two years, and poured that information into making the Ear (2).I used the Ear (2) for the higher a part of per week, and if there’s one phrase to sum up the earbuds, it will be refinement. Nothing did not change the design, as an alternative turning its consideration to audio tuning and connectivity. As a consequence, the Ear (2) sound significantly better, and so they provide customized sound profiles based mostly in your listening to potential. The case is smaller this time round as nicely, making it that rather more manageable.So can this second act stand by itself deserves, or is it only a facsimile of the ear (1)? Let’s discover out.Nothing Ear (2): Pricing and availability(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Nothing unveiled the Ear (2) on March 22, and the wi-fi earbuds are going up on the market beginning March 28. The Ear (2) retail for $149 within the U.S. and £129 ($158) within the U.Ok., and so they’re out there direct from Nothing’s web site. Buyers within the U.Ok. will have the ability to decide up the wi-fi earbuds from Nothing’s retail retailer in London as nicely.India is the largest marketplace for Nothing, and the model is being aggressive within the nation, with the Ear (2) debuting at ₹9,999 ($120). While that is lower than what the Ear (2) prices in different markets, Nothing has the unenviable activity of convincing prospects within the area to shell out 40% more cash than the ear (1). With a whole lot of robust contenders on this class, that will show to be a tricky ask.Nothing Ear (2): Design and match(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Nothing’s quirky design language allowed the model to garner a whole lot of preliminary momentum, and it is counting on that in 2023. The Ear (2) share the identical design as their predecessor, and whereas there are minute adjustments, the earbuds do not look any completely different to the ear (1) at a primary look.That means you are getting the identical see-through design for the stalk, supplying you with a have a look at the innards. You’ll discover the Nothing Ear (2) label operating throughout the size of every stalk, and the design for the shell is unchanged as nicely — it is completed in plastic, with a black accent the place the stalk meets the shell. The sound nozzle is angled, and because the shell itself sits above the interior ear, the Ear (2) could be very comfy to put on for an prolonged length.Image 1 of 6(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Coming in at 4.5g for every earbud, the Ear (2) are marginally lighter than the 4.7g ear (1) whereas nonetheless providing a barely bigger 33mAh battery (ear (1) had 31mAh). But what I like extra is the truth that the case is way more compact; it is narrower and thinner, and due to a 485mAh battery, it weighs simply 51.9g.The case is definitely pocketable and the thinner design means it is not as unwieldy because the case on the ear (1) , and the basics are unchanged: there’s an indent in between the 2 earbuds to carry them in place, and the pairing button and USB-C charging port are positioned on the appropriate.Image 1 of 5(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Nothing says it diminished the variety of components within the case, and the primary distinction is that the battery is not encased in a glass layer, as an alternative that includes a matte texture to make it simpler to carry. While the case nonetheless seems like it can decide up scratches should you have a look at it improper, no less than there’s one much less floor to fret about. There’s IP54 mud and water resistance for the Ear (2), and the case itself has IP55 ingress safety, making the buds a sensible choice for exercises.Overall, the Ear (2) do not look very completely different to their predecessor, however the adjustments to the case make the earbuds really feel just a little extra polished, and you continue to get the identical nice see-through design.Nothing Ear (2): Features(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)You’ll discover a whole lot of tweaks underneath the hood, with the Ear (2) ready to connect with two Bluetooth gadgets on the identical time. This was a giant omission on the ear (1), so it is good to see Nothing make amends this time round. Fast pair works simply as reliably, and all you should do is open the case to provoke pairing — I had zero points pairing the wi-fi earbuds to the likes of the Galaxy S23 Ultra and different Android telephones.Nothing made adjustments to its Clear Voice Technology, with the mics positioned to supply higher wind noise resistance. Calls went via with none points by any means, and in what has been a very windy week right here in Hyderabad, the Ear (2) managed to filter wind and different ambient noise admirably.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)On that word, ANC is again, and it manages to tune out sounds as much as 40dB — much like different earbuds on this class. There are three ranges of noise cancellation, and you’ve got the power to customise noise isolation — there is a mode in Nothing X that determines sound leakage based mostly on the best way the Ear (2) slot in your ear canal, adjusting ANC accordingly.In real-world use, ANC does a superb job tuning out ambient sounds just like the hum of the AC and any site visitors sounds, and the customizability is a welcome addition. There’s extra on provide on this space, with Nothing rolling out a listening to ID take a look at into Nothing X that permits you to change the sound profile of the Ear (2) based mostly in your listening to potential.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The listening to take a look at is powered by Mimi, and it performs varied frequencies; you’ll be able to then choose in the event that they’re audible or not, and the sound is tuned based mostly on the frequencies you are capable of hear. There are different earbuds that provide the same function, and it is good to see Nothing doing the identical with the Ear (2).(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)As for connectivity, the Ear (2) pair over Bluetooth 5.3, and so they maintained a rock-solid connection in each day use. Gesture management is fairly easy as nicely, with customizable gestures on each stalks triggered by urgent and holding on the underside finish of the stalk.Nothing Ear (2): Sound high quality(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)If there’s one phrase to explain the sound of the Ear (2), it will be energetic. Nothing says it used a twin chamber design — present in high-end IEMs just like the Sennheiser IE600 — to cut back resonance inside the shell and ship higher high-end frequencies, and there’s a noticeable distinction over the ear (1) and even the Ear (stick).Another factor that is new this 12 months is the introduction of Savitech’s LHDC 5.0 codec, with the Ear (2) that includes Hi-Res branding consequently. The codec goes as much as 24-bit/192kHz and may transmit as much as 1Mbit, and it’s a viable various to AptX. A good variety of earbuds now provide LHDC — together with the likes of the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 and Xiaomi’s TWS portfolio — because the codec has been baked into Android beginning with Android 10, however as is often the case with this stuff, it isn’t out there on all gadgets.Nothing added the codec to the cellphone (1) through a software program replace final 12 months, and when you’ll discover LHDC on a number of OnePlus, OPPO, and Xiaomi telephones, it is not out there on Samsung gadgets. Even although a codec is out there to be used on Android, the onus is on the producer to implement it on its gadgets, and Samsung hasn’t performed so but; my Galaxy S23 Ultra has SBC, AAC, AptX, LDAC, and Samsung’s personal SSC codec, however no LHDC.So though the Ear (2) has LHDC, you will must make it possible for the cellphone in query has the codec to have the ability to stream high-res music. The Ear (2) additionally has SBC and AAC should you’re utilizing an iPhone, and with Nothing stating that half of its customers are on iOS, a bulk of the streaming is completed over AAC.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Coming to the sound itself, the Ear (2) retains the 11.6mm dynamic driver, however the tuning is significantly better with this technology. The earbuds ship an enthusiastic bass that is filled with vigor and power, with clear mids and detailed highs. There is not any sibilance to the sound at increased frequencies, and there is good instrument separation, permitting the Ear (2) to work nicely throughout quite a lot of genres.There’s a vibrancy to the sound due to that exaggerated bass, and it makes the Ear (2) extremely partaking. They’re significantly well-suited to bass-heavy music, however the Ear (2) fared comparatively nicely whereas listening to basic rock and metallic albums. There is a few customizability to the sound, however you aren’t getting a ten-band EQ; as an alternative, you’ll be able to select between balanced, bass, and treble, or choose a voice mode that enhances vocals. You get the power to vary the bass, mids, and treble must you want to take action as nicely.The tuning is eerily much like that of the OnePlus Buds Pro 2, and utilizing each earbuds aspect by aspect, it is evident that they provide the same sound signature with a transparent concentrate on the low-end frequencies.Nothing Ear (2): Battery life(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The one space the place issues have stayed the identical is battery life; the Ear (2) presents simply over 4 hours of music playback from a full cost, with the case providing eight further expenses, resulting in 36 hours in complete. This is lower than the usual on this class, and whereas it is good to see that Nothing is ready to ship the identical figures with a smaller case, I might have preferred to see the Ear (2) lasting no less than 5 hours between expenses.In my use, I obtained a smidgen over 4 hours of music playback earlier than having to cost the buds, and whereas that determine goes as much as over six hours should you flip off noise isolation, it is not well worth the problem. There’s no getting round the truth that the Ear (2) are strictly common on this space, so should you want wi-fi earbuds with nice battery life, you will must look elsewhere.Fast charging is unbroken, with a 10-minute cost providing 50 minutes of music playback. You’ll discover wi-fi charging for the case as nicely, so you’ll be able to plonk the case on the again of the cellphone (1), Galaxy S23 Ultra, or any cellphone that has reverse wi-fi charging and cost it that method.Nothing Ear (2): The competitors (Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 are the primary rival to the Ear (2), and OnePlus delivers the same bass-focused sound together with all of the extras you need. The Buds Pro 2 have the identical set of codecs, provide IP55 mud and water resistance, and final just below six hours on a full cost. They match simply as nicely and are comfy in each day use, and the design is elegant. They’re out there for ₹9,999 ($120) in India — similar to the Ear (2) — and for my cash, I’d get the Buds Pro 2 only for the higher battery life. That mentioned, they are not an excellent worth in North America — the place they retail for $179 — so it’s best to think about one of many different options.If you are after one of the best sound high quality, my decide could be the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3. They’re now all the way down to $169, and for the cash, you will not discover different wi-fi earbuds that sound anyplace pretty much as good. They do not miss out on any of the extras both, and whereas the match is not as comfy because the Ear (2), the balanced sound high quality greater than makes up for it.Of course, there’s the Pixel Buds Pro to think about. Google nailed the method this time round, providing earbuds that sound nice and embrace all of the options you care about. The Pixel Buds Pro last more than the Ear (2) as nicely, and so they’re on sale for $149 — identical because the Ear (2).Nothing Ear (2): Should you purchase it?(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)You can purchase this if:You need earbuds with a particular designYou want a snug match that is nice for exercisesYou need good sound high quality with exaggerated low-end frequenciesYou should not purchase this if:You want earbuds with one of the best battery lifeYou need the AptX codec suiteNothing did not change the basics an excessive amount of with the Ear (2); the earbuds use the identical tooling as their predecessor, permitting the model to save lots of manufacturing prices. That mentioned, they’ve the identical distinct design, and the adjustments to the case make it just a little extra manageable.The sound high quality is significantly better, and the earbuds really feel like a elegant product this time round. That mentioned, the identical shortcomings have carried over on this technology, and the Ear (2) do not final anyplace so long as one of the best wi-fi earbuds — that is certain to be a deal-breaker for lots of customers.At the top of the day, should you like what Nothing is doing on the design entrance and wish earbuds that look distinctive and sound nice, the Ear (2) is an efficient suggestion. But if you need a extra cohesive product with higher battery life and just a little extra finesse, there are many standout options.