These $99 open-ear earbuds ditch touch controls for a rotating dial on the case

Credit: CMF by Nothing Published Aug 4, 2026, 9:00 AM EDT Andy is a seasoned technology journalist with more than 15 years experience in the mobile industry, writing for Digital Trends, Wired, and more. Andy has reviewed hundreds of smartphones and tablets, dozens of smartwatches, and a host of smart rings, smart glasses, and fitness trackers, giving him a unique ability to assess and evaluate the latest products. His daily mobile tech life includes Android and iOS devices, smart rings, and a smartwatch, unless it's a special occasion, when a traditional watch takes its place on his wrist. Andy always has a strong opinion on the state of the mobile industry, and writes in-depth analysis features to put the latest news and products into context. He has attended multiple CES, MWC, and IFA tradeshows, has a passion for photography and cars, listens to far too much K-pop, and follows F1. You can find Andy's portfolio of work on his Authory page. Sign in to your Android Police account CMF, the Nothing spin-off brand known for its affordable products, has announced the Clip Pro, its first in the fashionable clip-on, fully open earbud genre. The small, lightweight earbuds are stored inside their own case, as you would expect, but it does more than just charge the earbuds up when they’re not being used. Open-ear earbuds Credit: CMF by Nothing The CMF Clip Pro are shaped a little like the letter C, so you can wrap them around your ear, ensuring you can still hear what’s playing through them without being isolated from the world. CMF’s 3-point Clip Design balances the weight across three different points, keeping the earbuds in place while not creating fatigue, and a ‘listening ball’ directs sound towards your ear canal. The two units are connected by an elastic ribbon with a titanium wire core. A 10.8mm dual-magnet dynamic driver provides the sound, there are four high-definition microphones, and Nothing has tuned the sound to deliver stronger bass and reduce distortion. The Clip Pro earbuds support AAC, SBS, and LDAC codecs and are Hi-Res Audio Certified. There’s no Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), but a special sound seal will minimize sound leakage. What about the case? Credit: CMF by Nothing The CMF Clip Pro comes in three different colors. Dark Grey and Light Grey join a version of CMF’s signature orange hue called Coral. What makes the Clip Pro unusual is the addition of the Smart Dial on the top of the case. It’s a physical control for the earbuds, removing any need to put fiddly touch controls on them. The rotating dial can control volume, playback, and calls all without the need to grab your phone. Battery life is expected to reach 10 hours on a single charge, with more than 32 hours possible with the battery inside the case. A 10-minute fast charge feature returns four hours of use. Other features include an IP54 dust and water resistance rating, a low latency mode, dual device connection, and integration with the Nothing X app. When can you buy the Clip Pro? The CMF by Nothing Clip Pro is available from August 4 in the US and other global regions for $99. It follows the recent announcement of the Nothing Ear (3a) earbuds, which are a compelling alternative to the CMF Clip Pro. They are in-ear earbuds with ANC, and also cost $99.