CMF by Nothing launched the Clip Pro open-ear earbuds at $99 with a limited $79 preorder, packing a three-point titanium clip, claimed Ultra Bass compensation and LDAC Hi-Res support that undercuts Sony and Bose clip models priced two to three times higher.
Shipping begins August 15 in the US, UK and Japan. The move lifts the budget sub-brand into territory closer to Nothing’s own mainline audio while attacking the open-ear category’s high entry cost.
Three-Point Titanium Clip for All-Day Wear
Open-ear designs free the ear canal but often dig into one spot or slide off. The Clip Pro uses a three-point clip structure with a flexible 0.5 mm titanium-wire C-bridge wrapped in skin-friendly TPU.
Each bud weighs 6.5 g. A 13.8 mm listening ball sits outside the canal. Nothing says the multi-point contact spreads pressure so the buds stay put through a full workday or commute without the fatigue common to single-hook styles.
- 0.5 mm titanium C-bridge for flex and shape retention
- Three contact points instead of concentrated clamp force
- 6.5 g per earbud with 13.8 mm listening ball
- Physical buttons on the buds themselves
The design targets runners, cyclists and anyone who wants ambient awareness without yanking a bud out for every conversation.
Ultra Bass Tries to Fill the Open Gap
Bass is the classic weak spot when nothing seals the ear. CMF pairs a 10.8 mm dual-magnet dynamic driver with what it calls Ultra Bass Technology, which the company says actively compensates for low-frequency loss while limiting treble harshness.
The buds are Hi-Res Audio certified and support LDAC, AAC and SBC. An app-controlled sound seal system in the Nothing X app attenuates mid-to-high frequencies to cut leakage. Modes are Off, Calls Only, or Audio and Calls. Nothing claims the listener’s own experience stays largely intact while nearby people hear less spill.
Call pickup uses a dedicated Voice Processing Unit plus four microphones for wind and ambient noise rejection. Independent tests will settle whether the bass claim holds against sealed rivals, but the feature set matches what premium open-ear models advertise at far higher prices.
Clip on. Keep on.
That is the tagline CMF by Nothing used on launch day across its channels.
Battery Life and the Returning Smart Dial
Battery ratings land at 10 hours per charge on the buds and 32.5 hours total with the case. Long Battery Mode stretches the total to 36 hours. A 10-minute top-up is said to add four hours of playtime.
- 10 hours single-charge bud playback
- 32.5 hours total with case (36 hours Long Battery Mode)
- 4 hours from a 10-minute quick charge
- IP54 dust and water resistance
The charging case brings back CMF’s rotatable Smart Dial for tactile volume, playback, call and mode control without touching a phone. Bluetooth 5.4, dual-device connectivity and a low-latency gaming mode round out the package. The Bluetooth generation is unremarkable in 2026, yet the rest of the checklist is complete for the price.
Ninety-Nine Dollars Meets Two-Hundred-Plus Rivals
MSRP is $99 / £79 in Dark Grey, Light Grey and Coral. Limited-time preorders drop it to $79. That sits well above CMF’s earlier earbuds, which lived in the $20-$70 band, and closer to Nothing’s mainline audio tier.
Compare the numbers against current open-ear leaders.
| Model | Approx. price | Form | Notable claim |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMF Clip Pro | $99 ($79 preorder) | Three-point clip | Ultra Bass, LDAC, sound seal |
| Sony LinkBuds Clip | $230 | Clip | Open-ear comfort focus |
| Bose Ultra Open | $299 | Open cuff | Premium open sound |
| Nothing Ear (open) | Originally ~$150 | Hook | Mainline open design |
Readers can pre-order the Clip Pro for $79 directly while the window lasts. Earlier CMF in-ears such as the CMF Buds Pro 2 at $69 set the value expectation this model exceeds in both price and ambition. The Nothing Ear (open) mainline model launched higher and now sits as a higher-tier sibling rather than a distant premium.
CMF Steps Past Its Old Ceiling
CMF launched in 2023 as Nothing’s aggressive budget arm. Phones and earbuds under $50-$70 defined the brand. The Clip Pro’s $99 sticker is a deliberate step up, matching features once reserved for the mainline Ear family and for Sony or Bose open models.
The timing fits a broader Nothing push. After the OnePlus exit clearing space for Nothing in key markets, the company has leaned harder into audio and wearables. A recent CMF Phone 2 Pro teaser shows the sub-brand also stretching its phone range. Open-ear itself has grown from niche bone-conduction and sports hooks into a mainstream comfort category; affordable entry accelerates that shift.
Some early reactions on X flagged the price as high for a “budget” label even while acknowledging it still undercuts the premium pack. Others simply want the product available in more markets.
Shipping Windows and the India Gap
- August 15, 2026, US, UK and Japan sales and shipments begin
- September 15, 2026, Europe and most other markets (India excluded)
- Limited preorder window, $79 price available now on Nothing sites
India’s absence drew immediate replies under the official CMF posts. The brand has skipped the market on several recent audio drops. Colors are limited to the three listed greys and Coral. Firmware updates and control customization run through the Nothing X app, the same software used across CMF and Nothing audio.
Whether Ultra Bass and the sound-seal system deliver in real rooms remains for reviews after units arrive. On paper the Clip Pro already forces a choice: pay $230-plus for established names or try the $99 newcomer that copies the comfort brief and adds app leakage control.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CMF Clip Pro preorder and regular price?
The regular price is $99 / £79. A limited-time preorder drops it to $79 on Nothing’s site; the discount ends once the promotional window closes and units begin shipping mid-August.
How long does the CMF Clip Pro battery last?
CMF rates the buds at 10 hours per charge and 32.5 hours total with the case, rising to 36 hours in Long Battery Mode. A 10-minute charge is claimed to restore four hours of listening.
Does the Clip Pro support high-resolution wireless audio?
Yes. The earbuds are Hi-Res Audio certified and support the LDAC codec in addition to AAC and SBC, allowing higher-bitrate streaming from compatible Android devices.
How does the three-point clip differ from other open-ear designs?
It uses a 0.5 mm titanium-wire C-bridge that creates three contact points around the ear rather than a single hook or cuff pressure zone, aiming to reduce hotspots and improve all-day stability at 6.5 g per bud.
When and where can buyers get the CMF Clip Pro?
Shipments start August 15, 2026 in the United States, United Kingdom and Japan, then September 15 for Europe and most other regions. India is excluded from the initial rollout. Colors are Dark Grey, Light Grey and Coral.
