[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong (홍진주)] CMF has unveiled its first open-ear earbuds priced below $100, the Clip Pro. The product is priced at $99 (about 150,000 won) and will go on sale from Aug. 15.

Engadget reported on Aug. 4 that Clip Pro is the first open-ear earbuds introduced by CMF, Nothing's entry-level brand. Rather than being pushed into the ear canal like typical in-ear buds, it uses a structure that hooks outside the ear. The company introduced it as a product aimed at busy city users and demand for exercise.

Comfort is a key point of this product. CMF said it applied a "three-point clip design" to evenly distribute pressure on the ear and reduce the feeling of the earbuds pinching the ear. It also said it was designed to fit any ear shape and that it aimed for a fit that is barely noticeable, with a weight of 5.9 grams per unit.

As an open-ear design, it does not include active noise cancellation that completely blocks outside sound. Instead, it highlights usability that does not disconnect users from their surroundings while listening to music or podcasts. For audio components, it uses a 10.8 mm dual-magnet dynamic driver and emphasizes balance across bass, midrange and treble.

CMF supplemented bass, which can weaken due to the open design, with software. CMF and Nothing said they applied "Ultra Bass Technology" to intelligently boost low frequencies and also reduce high-frequency distortion. For calls, it includes four HD microphones and focuses on separating ambient noise and voice.

A call privacy feature is also included. Nothing said Clip Pro was designed to adjust midrange and treble so the user's voice is less audible to people nearby. Users can adjust this feature directly in the Nothing app.

A "smart dial" built into the charging case is a key feature of the controls. The rotating dial can control volume and playback, and also supports answering and rejecting calls. It is designed so users do not need to take out a smartphone or repeatedly press controls on the device surface. The earbuds also include physical buttons.

Its supported specifications are broad for the price range. It has received high-resolution audio certification and supports the LDAC, AAC and SBC codecs. It also offers a low-latency gaming mode and dual Bluetooth connections. It supports Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair, simplifying the initial pairing process.

Battery life is up to 10 hours on a single charge. With the charging case, total use is up to 32.5 hours. It also supports fast charging that enables 4 hours of playback with a 10-minute charge.

For durability, it supports IP54-rated water and dust resistance. It can withstand small splashes of water, but it is not designed with environments such as swimming in mind. It comes in three colors: dark gray, light gray and coral.

This product is drawing attention as CMF expands its low-priced accessory lineup and makes a full entry into the open-ear earbuds market. Clip Pro is expected to target demand for entry-level wireless earbuds, highlighting comfort, an open listening experience and case-based controls.