British tech brand Nothing has officially announced a major launch event scheduled for July 1, 2025, where it will introduce two key products: its first over-ear headphones, Headphone (1), and the Nothing Phone (3). The event will be held in London at 10:30 PM IST and marks a significant milestone in Nothing's product roadmap.
CEO Carl Pei confirmed the launch during his keynote address at SXSW London, generating anticipation within the tech community.
The upcoming Nothing Headphone (1) is the company’s first venture into the over-ear audio category, expanding its portfolio beyond the in-ear segment that includes Ear (1), Ear (2), and Ear (Stick).
According to Carl Pei, the move into the over-ear market comes in response to growing user demand. “It’s our first over-the-head headphones. A lot of our users have been asking for it,” Pei said at the event. He called the launch a "new chapter" in Nothing’s evolution, promising a device that balances performance, aesthetics, and affordability.
While Nothing has not officially confirmed whether the new headphones are a direct result of its collaboration with British audio company KEF, industry watchers believe the Headphone (1) will reflect KEF’s expertise in sound innovation.
The partnership, announced earlier this year, aims to explore “new frontiers in audio technology.” Given the timing, it’s expected that the Headphone (1) will feature advancements born from this collaboration.
In a behind-the-scenes YouTube video, Nothing’s design team shared their motivation for creating a standout product. They expressed frustration with current over-ear headphone options, calling many of them "visually boring" or "overpriced".
The team specifically mentioned Apple’s AirPods Max, which retail at ₹59,900 in India, as an example of expensive design not accessible to most consumers. Nothing aims to deliver an audio product that offers a unique visual identity, high-quality sound, and a lower price point.
Though official specs and pricing are yet to be announced, a report from 9to5Google suggests that Headphone (1) could be priced around $299 in the U.S. — translating to roughly ₹25,000 in India. If accurate, this would position the product significantly below the AirPods Max while still appealing to premium buyers.
This pricing strategy could help Nothing carve a niche in the competitive audio space, especially among users looking for high performance without the Apple tax.
Launching alongside the headphones is the much-rumored Nothing Phone (3). Billed as the brand’s “first true flagship,” this smartphone is expected to bring top-tier features and performance upgrades compared to its predecessors.
During his keynote, Carl Pei shared insights into Nothing’s future ambitions. “The smartphone is the most important product today, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be the most important product forever,” he said. Pei hinted at exploring new form factors in the next five years, signaling innovation beyond traditional smartphones.
With both the Nothing Headphone (1) and Phone (3) launching on July 1, the company is making a bold statement about its future direction. From audio excellence to flagship smartphones, Nothing continues to position itself as a disruptor in the consumer tech space.
The combination of community feedback, design innovation, and strategic partnerships like the one with KEF may give these upcoming products a significant edge in the crowded tech market.