Nothing is preparing to launch a premium audio device dubbed the Headphone (1) Pro around September 29, 2026. According to reports from Dealabs Magazine cited by SoundGuys, the upcoming over-ear headphones are rumored to feature a $399 price tag, an advanced triple audio driver setup, adaptive active noise cancellation, and up to 60 hours of battery life.
Pushing Upmarket With Premium Materials
When Nothing entered the over-ear headphone market last year with the original Headphone (1) at a $299 price point, followed by the more affordable Headphone (a), the company relied on distinct transparent accents and physical controls like rollers and paddles. Now, leaks suggest a pivot toward the luxury tier. The Headphone (1) Pro will reportedly utilize an aluminum body paired with scratch-resistant glass, stepping away from strictly consumer-grade plastics to capture a true flagship aesthetic. Furthermore, Dealabs indicates the hardware will carry an IP52 rating for dust and water splash resistance, protecting the chassis during daily commutes.
Colorways are expected to stick to minimalist monochrome styling, offering traditional black and white variants. Despite the exterior overhaul, core ergonomic features appear intact. Physical control mechanisms are rumored to remain, avoiding accidental track skips common with capacitive touch surfaces.
Engineering the Sound: Triple Drivers and Studio Tuning
Acoustic architecture marks the most radical departure from the original hardware. While the base Headphone (1) utilized a single custom 40mm driver tuned by KEF, leaks allege the Pro model will split audio reproduction across a three-driver setup. By delegating specific frequency bands to dedicated transducers, the system aims to tighten bass response without muddying mids or crowding out treble details.
SoundGuys notes that Metropolis Studios is reportedly involved in acoustic tuning. Audiophiles will likely appreciate the inclusion of LDAC codecs and Hi-Res Audio support. Spatial audio with head tracking rounds out the listening suite, alongside Bluetooth 6.1 connectivity, USB-C audio support, and a legacy 3.5mm headphone jack for zero-latency wired monitoring.
Adaptive ANC and 60-Hour Battery Performance
Noise cancellation is also receiving an over-the-air style hardware expansion. The Headphone (1) Pro is tipped to house a massive array of 10 microphones dedicated to real-time adaptive noise cancellation. Unlike static ANC modes that require manual toggling, this system dynamically adjusts attenuation based on environmental decibel shifts.
Endurance is another major talking point for the September release. The battery is rated for up to 60 hours of continuous playback, accompanied by fast-charging capabilities to mitigate downtime. While the original model managed 35 hours with ANC enabled and 80 hours with it disabled, the exact power threshold of the Pro variant under active cancellation loads remains to be fully detailed upon official release.
At $399 in the U.S. and €349 in Europe, Nothing is stepping directly into the crosshairs of established audio heavyweights. Whether these specifications translate into real-world dominance will depend heavily on comfort and tuning fidelity when the hardware officially drops.
