Nothing Headphone (1) Vs Nothing Headphone (1) Pro: What’s The Real Difference?

The Nothing Headphone (1) Vs Nothing Headphone (1) Pro comparison shows how quickly Nothing is stepping up its over-ear headphone game. The original Headphone (1) was aimed at enthusiasts seeking a premium experience at ₹21,999, while the newly launched Headphone (1) Pro moves into a higher-end segment with three drivers, 10-mic ANC and a glass-and-titanium build.

Nothing launched the Headphone (1) Pro globally on 29 September 2026 at $399, which converts to around ₹38,200. Its India price and launch date are yet to be announced.

So, what really sets the Pro apart? Let’s break down the key differences.

What Is Nothing Headphone (1)?

The Nothing Headphone (1) is Nothing’s first-ever over-ear headphone, launched in July 2025 at ₹21,999 in India. It uses a single 40mm dynamic driver, with the drivers, chambers and software tuned by British audio brand KEF. 

It brought Nothing’s signature transparent look to the earcups, along with physical controls: a roller for volume, a paddle for tracks and a customizable button. You also get 42dB hybrid ANC with six microphones, LDAC support, a 3.5mm jack and one of the longest battery lives in the segment at up to 80 hours.

Also Read: Apple iPhone 18 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Which One Should You Buy?

What Is Nothing Headphone (1) Pro?

The Nothing Headphone (1) Pro is the brand’s flagship over-ear headphone, launched on 29 September 2026 at $399. Nothing calls it its most advanced headphone ever, and the changes are more than cosmetic.

The single driver makes way for a triple-driver system, tuned with London’s Metropolis Studios instead of KEF. ANC moves to 10 microphones and up to 46dB. The earcups get 9H Panda Glass, a machined aluminium frame and titanium alloy arms. There is also a new Switch that flips on a Flat EQ for neutral, studio-style listening.

Also Read: iPhone 18 Apple Intelligence Features: What’s Genuinely Useful?

Nothing Headphone (1) Vs Nothing Headphone (1) Pro: Specifications At A Glance

Sound Quality And Drivers

Nothing Headphone (1) vs Nothing Headphone (1) Pro is a clear win for the Pro when it comes to sound. The Headphone (1) relies on one 40mm dynamic driver tuned by KEF. Reviewers found it clear and wide, but noticeably mid-forward, so you often need the EQ to get the most out of it.

The Headphone (1) Pro splits the work across three drivers:

• 40mm bass driver: A new dual-magnet system that Nothing says gives 15% more bass punch and 26% more sensitivity than the Headphone (1).
• Precision dynamic driver: A PEN diaphragm for vocals, built to sharpen tricky sounds like “S” and “T”.
• xMEMS treble driver: A solid-state silicon diaphragm, 95 times stiffer than plastic, for faster, crisper highs.

Both headphones offer spatial audio with head tracking. The Pro, however, adds new Dynamic Spatial Audio presets like Live House, Club, Concert Hall and a Studio B mode modelled on Metropolis Studios. It also brings a physical Flat EQ switch and Hi-Res certified lossless audio over USB-C.

Early reviews agree the Pro sounds richer and punchier. Some, like T3, feel the gain is noticeable but not big enough to make it a must-have upgrade for existing Headphone (1) owners.

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)

Nothing Headphone (1) vs Nothing Headphone (1) Pro shows a solid step up in noise cancellation. The Headphone (1) offers up to 42dB of ANC using six microphones, which is already competitive at its price.

The Headphone (1) Pro moves to 10 microphones, with three feed-forward and two feedback mics on each side, and up to 46dB of real-time adaptive ANC. Nothing says this improves noise cancellation by about 5dB and covers a 40% broader range of noise than the Headphone (1). A new 8mm silicone baffle and dual-layer cushions also cut sound leakage.

This means better isolation in windy conditions and on busy roads. If you commute daily by metro, bus or flight, the Pro’s ANC gives you a real, day-to-day benefit.

Design And Comfort

Nothing Headphone (1) vs Nothing Headphone (1) Pro look similar at first glance, but the Pro uses far more premium materials. The Headphone (1) has the bold transparent look Nothing is known for, built mostly around plastic.

The Headphone (1) Pro upgrades to scratch-resistant 9H Panda Glass on the earcups, an aluminium frame carved from a single block, and titanium alloy arms that are 45% lighter than the Headphone (1)’s. Despite the metal, the Pro weighs 327g, just 2g lighter than the Headphone (1).

Comfort gets real attention too. Compared with the Headphone (1), the Pro has:

• A 10% wider headband
• 12% thicker headband padding
• Dual-layer ear cushions that are 50% softer and adapt better to glasses
• Earcups that tilt up to 20 degrees for a better seal

One catch: several reviewers, including TechRadar and T3, have criticised the Pro’s new hardshell case as heavy and awkward to use. It is worth checking in person if you travel a lot.

Battery Life And Charging

Nothing Headphone (1) vs Nothing Headphone (1) Pro is the one area where the older model actually wins. The Headphone (1) delivers up to 35 hours with ANC on and up to 80 hours with ANC off, from a 1,040mAh battery.

The Headphone (1) Pro packs a slightly bigger 1,060mAh battery, but the extra drivers and mics draw more power. It is rated for up to 30 hours with ANC on and up to 68 hours with ANC off. With LDAC, that drops to 28 and 53 hours respectively.

Fast charging helps close the gap. A 5-minute charge on the Pro gives you up to 4 hours of playback with ANC off, or 2 hours with ANC on. A full charge takes about 2 hours over USB-C.

For most people, 30 hours with ANC is still more than a week of commuting. But if battery life is your top priority, the Headphone (1) is the better pick.

Connectivity And Features

Nothing Headphone (1) vs Nothing Headphone (1) Pro connectivity is where the Pro looks more future-ready. The Headphone (1) uses Bluetooth 5.3 with AAC, SBC and LDAC, dual-device pairing, Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair.

The Headphone (1) Pro upgrades to Bluetooth 6.1 and adds the LC3 codec for Auracast broadcast audio. That lets you share audio wirelessly with multiple headphones at once. It also adds MFi for one-tap setup on iPhones, a low-latency mode, and lossless USB-C audio up to 24-bit/192kHz.

Both keep the tactile roller, paddle and customisable button, plus IP52 dust and water resistance and wear detection. The Pro’s extra Switch is the only new physical control.

Also Read: Apple AirPods 5 vs AirPods Pro 3: Which AirPods Are Worth Buying

Price In India And Availability

Nothing Headphone (1) vs Nothing Headphone (1) Pro pricing is the biggest open question for Indian buyers. The Headphone (1) launched at ₹21,999 and is available on Flipkart, where it often sells below its launch price.

The Headphone (1) Pro went on sale in the US on 29 September 2026 at $399. Nothing has not yet confirmed its India launch date or price. Price-tracking sites currently expect it at around ₹38,200, but treat that as an estimate until Nothing makes it official.

If that figure holds, the Pro could cost roughly ₹16,000 more than the Headphone (1) at launch pricing. That gap is the key factor in deciding which one is worth it for you.

Which One Should You Buy?

Nothing Headphone (1) vs Nothing Headphone (1) Pro comes down to what you value most. Here is a quick guide.

If you already own the Headphone (1), the upgrade is hard to justify unless ANC and sound detail matter a lot to you. If you are buying fresh and can wait, it makes sense to hold on for the Pro’s India price before deciding.

Also Read: iPhone 18 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Camera Comparison: Which Flagship Shoots Better?

Final Thoughts

Nothing Headphone (1) vs Nothing Headphone (1) Pro is not a case of old versus new, but of value versus premium. The Headphone (1) remains a great all-rounder with class-leading battery life. The Pro takes a real leap in sound, ANC, materials and comfort, but asks for a much higher price and gives up some battery life in return.

If you have just bought a new phone and are not sure what to do with the old one, here is your answer. Sell your old mobile to Cashify and get the best price for it. And if you are planning to buy your next phone, check out                                       Cashify’s refurbished mobile phones. You can grab your favourite model at almost half the price, with a six-month warranty, 15-day refund and free delivery. 

FAQs

1. What is the main difference between the Nothing Headphone (1) and Headphone (1) Pro?

The Pro uses a triple-driver system instead of a single 40mm driver, has a stronger 46dB ANC with 10 mics, and a glass, aluminium and titanium build.

2. Is the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro launched in India?

Not yet. It went on sale in the US on 29 September 2026 at $399. Nothing has announced the India launch date or price.

3. Which has better battery life?

The Headphone (1). It offers up to 35 hours with ANC on and 80 hours with ANC off, versus 30 and 68 hours on the Pro.

4. Does the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro support LDAC and wired audio?

Yes, it supports LDAC, a 3.5mm cable and lossless USB-C audio up to 24-bit/192kHz.

5. Should Headphone (1) owners upgrade to the Pro?

Only if better ANC, richer sound and premium materials matter a lot to you. For most users, the Headphone (1) is still a solid buy.