Nothing Headphone (1) Pro leaks in full: triple drivers, 60-hour battery, $399
Nothing's first premium over-ear headphones are shaping up fast. German leaker Roland Quandt has published high-quality renders of the Headphone (1) Pro, revealing a design that looks unmistakably like the British brand: transparent elements, rounded-square ear cups, an aluminum-and-scratch-resistant-glass build, and IP52 splash protection. The headphones are expected to launch September 29 at $399 in the US and €349 in Europe — sitting 13% below the Sony WH-1000XM6 ($459) and 27% below the AirPods Max 2 ($549), per WinFuture.
The design
The renders confirm two color options: black and white. Soft ear cushions, physical touch controls, and a hard carrying case are all included. The overall form language carries over from the standard Nothing Headphone (1) but with a clearly more premium material mix.
The specs
Earlier this week, Dealabs insider billbil-kun detailed the internals. The Headphone (1) Pro runs a triple-driver system — separate bass, clarity, and treble drivers — with the high-frequency unit using xMEMS silicon micro-speaker technology, a step up from conventional over-ear designs. The tuning comes from Metropolis Studios in London, the facility behind albums from Adele and Coldplay, which adds genuine credibility versus a generic audio partnership.
ANC is handled by a 10-microphone adaptive system — four more mics than the base Nothing Headphone. A transparency mode is also on board. Audio formats covered include Hi-Res Audio and LDAC in both wireless and wired modes, plus spatial audio with head-tracking.
Nothing Headphone (1) Pro renders leaked by Roland Quandt, showing transparent design elements and aluminum construction.
On connectivity, the Pro gets Bluetooth 6.1, USB-C, and a 3.5mm jack. Battery life is rated at up to 60 hours with fast charging support. That's a substantial jump over what competitors like the Beats 360 offer at a similar price point.
The price argument
At $399, Nothing is betting that design and audio pedigree can justify a premium entry without matching flagship pricing. The Tom's Guide comparison of AirPods Max 2 vs. WH-1000XM6 illustrates how crowded the high end has become — Nothing slots in below both, aiming to win on aesthetics and value. How the xMEMS treble driver actually sounds in the real world, though, won't be known until independent reviews arrive around the launch date.
Nothing has not officially teased the Headphone (1) Pro yet. UK retailer and pre-order details remain unconfirmed — worth keeping in mind if you're planning to buy on day one.
