Nothing’s CMF Buds Neo launching August 20 with bold design

CMF, the audio brand of Nothing, will unveil a new in-ear headphone on August 20, 2026. Named Buds Neo, it breaks from past releases with a signature orange and silver design.

A teaser and an official date

The X account of CMF by Nothing confirmed this Sunday, August 18, that the Buds Neo will be unveiled on August 20. A teaser video shows the charging case, featuring a Smart Dial already seen on other products from the brand. The available colors are also hinted at, without further details.

A second visual, shared the day before, reveals a stem-style in-ear earbud with a white stem, two built-in microphones at its base, a metallic silver body, and an orange silicone tip — the iconic shade of CMF.

Buds Neo or Buds 3? The confusion remains

CMF’s communication leaves uncertainty about the product’s positioning. Several media outlets note that the name 'Buds Neo' appears in regulatory certifications (BIS in India, SDPPI in Indonesia), suggesting a new budget entry. However, the brand’s historical timeline leans toward a Buds Pro 3: the original Buds Pro launched in September 2023, followed by the standard Buds in March 2024, then the Buds Pro 2 in July 2024, and the Buds 2 in April 2025.

The most recent launch, the Clip Pro (open-ear clip earbuds), dates back to early August 2026, priced at $99 (€79 in Europe). CMF has not confirmed technical specs for the Buds Neo, such as driver size or active noise cancellation (ANC).

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A design reminiscent of the Buds 2 Plus

The stem-style in-ear format had not been used by CMF since the Buds 2 Plus, released in April 2025. The silhouette seen in the teasers matches this category, with a silver finish and an orange tip, the brand’s signature since its inception.

CMF is expected to release more clues ahead of Wednesday. The brand typically communicates in stages before its launches, never revealing everything at once. The Buds Neo could thus clarify their positioning — budget or premium — in the coming days.