OnePlus Buds Review
The OnePlus Buds 3 are the latest true wireless earbuds from the popular smartphone brand. They offer a premium listening experience with active noise cancellation (ANC), a comfortable and secure fit, and a sleek design.
In this blog post, we’ll be taking a comprehensive look at the OnePlus Buds 3, covering everything from their detailed specifications and design to their sound quality, battery life, and more. We’ll also discuss the pros and cons of these earbuds to help you decide if they’re the right fit for you.
Specifications
- Drivers: Dual dynamic drivers (10.4mm woofer + 6mm tweeter)
- Frequency Response: 15Hz – 40kHz
- Noise Cancellation: Up to 49dB Active Noise Cancellation with Transparency Mode
- Battery Life: Up to 10 hours playback (earbuds only, ANC off), Up to 44 hours total playback with charging case (ANC off)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 with support for AAC, SBC, and LHDC 5.0 codecs
- Water Resistance: IP55 dust and water resistance
- Other Features: Touch controls, OnePlus Audio ID 2.0 for personalized sound, Low Latency Mode (94ms with select OnePlus phones)
Design
The design of the OnePlus Buds 3 is a balance of style and functionality. The charging case is compact and lightweight, making it easy to slip into your pocket or bag. The earbuds themselves have a minimalist design with a comfortable in-ear fit.
- Charging Case: The case is crafted from a premium plastic material with a smooth finish. It features a convenient flip-top lid and an LED indicator that displays the charging status of both the case and the earbuds.
- Earbuds: The earbuds are available in two colors (typically black and a secondary color option). They have a rounded design with silicone ear tips that come in multiple sizes for a secure and customizable fit.
Controls
The OnePlus Buds 3 rely on intuitive touch controls for playback, volume adjustment, and other functions. These controls offer a convenient way to manage your music and calls without having to take out your phone.
- Play/Pause: Double tap either earbud.
- Next Track: Swipe forward on either earbud stem.
- Previous Track: Swipe backward on either earbud stem.
- Volume Control: OnePlus Buds 3 has a unique swipe up/down gesture on the stem to adjust volume directly on the earbuds.
- Answer/End Call: Double tap either earbud.
- Noise Cancellation: Triple tap either earbud to cycle between ANC On, Transparency Mode, and ANC Off.
- Voice Assistant: Long press either earbud to activate your phone’s voice assistant (e.g., Google Assistant, Siri).
App
The OnePlus Buds 3 can be further customized and controlled through the OnePlus Buds app, available for download on both Android and iOS devices. This dedicated app allows for a more refined and personalized experience with the OnePlus Buds 3.
- Battery Level Monitoring: View the remaining battery life of both the earbuds and the charging case.
- EQ Settings: Adjust the sound profile to your preference with a built-in equalizer.
- Find My Buds: Locate your misplaced earbuds using the app’s “Find My Buds” feature, which can help you pinpoint their location if they’re within Bluetooth range.
- Gesture Customization (Potential): While information might be limited at this point, the app might offer the ability to customize the touch controls for functionalities you use most often.
- OnePlus Audio ID 2.0: This feature personalizes the sound experience by creating a custom audio profile based on your hearing.
Connectivity
The OnePlus Buds 3 utilize Bluetooth 5.3 for a stable and reliable connection. This latest version of Bluetooth offers several benefits:
- Improved Range: Compared to previous Bluetooth versions, you can expect a wider range of connectivity between the earbuds and your device.
- Lower Power Consumption: Bluetooth 5.3 allows for more efficient power usage, potentially extending battery life.
- Reduced Latency: This is particularly important for gamers and those who watch a lot of videos, as lower latency minimizes any audio delay between what’s happening on screen and the sound you hear.
The OnePlus Buds 3 also has support for a variety of audio codecs, including:
- AAC (Advanced Audio Coding): A widely supported codec that offers good audio quality without sacrificing too much data transfer.
- SBC (Subband Coding): The most basic Bluetooth codec, included for universal compatibility with any Bluetooth device.
- LHDC 5.0 (Low Latency High-Definition Audio Codec): This higher-quality codec offers near lossless audio transmission for an exceptional listening experience, but keep in mind that not all devices support LHDC.
With Bluetooth 5.3 and versatile codec support, the OnePlus Buds 3 helps to deliver a seamless and high-fidelity connection for your audio needs.
Battery Life
Battery life is a crucial factor when considering any wireless earbuds. The OnePlus Buds 3 offer a decent playback time, with the specifics depending on whether you have Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) enabled:
- Up to 10 hours: This is the maximum playback time you can expect on a single charge with ANC turned off.
- Up to 44 hours total playback: This figure factors in the charging case, which provides additional charges for the earbuds. Again, this is with ANC deactivated.
- Playback Time with ANC On: Likely around 6-8 hours on a single charge.
- Total Playback Time with ANC On: Including the charging case, you can expect roughly 30-35 hours of total playback with ANC activated.
The OnePlus Buds 3 also has a fast charging feature. With just 10 minutes of charging, you can get up to 7 hours of playback time.
Isolation
One of the key features of the OnePlus Buds 3 is Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). This technology aims to reduce background noise and create a more immersive listening experience.
- ANC Strength: OnePlus claims the Buds 3 offer up to 49dB of noise cancellation. This is a respectable figure, suggesting the earbuds can effectively block out low-frequency sounds like traffic noise, airplane hum, and air conditioning.
- Transparency Mode: When you need to be aware of your surroundings, the Transparency Mode allows external sounds to pass through the earbuds. This is helpful for situations where you need to hear conversations or traffic while still having your earbuds in.
Sound Quality
The sound quality of earbuds is a subjective experience. OnePlus Buds 3 have a bass-heavy sound signature, which can be enjoyable for genres like EDM or hip-hop. The presence of an equalizer app allows you to adjust the sound profile to your preference, potentially mitigating the bass emphasis for those who desire a flatter response.
The OnePlus Buds 3 boast dual dynamic drivers, a 10.4mm woofer for rich bass and a 6mm tweeter for clear highs. This combination suggests a focus on delivering a balanced and powerful sound signature. Support for high-quality codecs like LHDC 5.0 promises near lossless audio transmission for those who prioritize detail and clarity.
Microphone
- Triple Microphone System: Each earbud houses three microphones, which likely work together for improved noise reduction and voice pickup.
- Focus on Call Clarity: The microphones prioritize clarity over a natural-sounding voice reproduction. This means your voice will be easily understandable on calls, even in moderately noisy environments.
- Potential Background Noise Reduction: With three microphones, the Buds 3 might utilize beamforming technology to focus on your voice and suppress background noise to some extent.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent Value: The OnePlus Buds 3 offer a feature-packed experience at a competitive price point.
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): Effective at blocking out low-frequency noise for a more immersive listening experience.
- Transparency Mode: Allows you to hear your surroundings when needed.
- Long Battery Life: Up to 44 hours total playback with the charging case (without ANC).
- Fast Charging: 10 minutes of charge provides up to 7 hours of playback.
- Comfortable and Secure Fit: Lightweight design with multiple ear tip sizes for a customizable fit.
- Personalized Sound: OnePlus Audio ID 2.0 tailors the sound profile to your hearing.
- Improved Call Quality: Triple microphone system with potential background noise reduction for clearer calls.
- Bluetooth 5.3: Offers improved range, lower power consumption, and reduced latency.
- High-Quality Audio Codecs: Support for AAC and LHDC 5.0 for better audio fidelity (depending on device compatibility).
Cons
- Bass-Heavy Sound Signature: May not be ideal for those who prefer a neutral or treble-heavy sound.
- Limited Control Customization: The app might offer limited options for customizing touch controls.
- Average ANC Performance at Mid-Frequencies : While good at blocking low-frequency noise, some mid-frequency sounds like conversations might still be audible.
- No Wireless Charging: The charging case relies on a USB-C cable for charging.
Verdict
The OnePlus Buds 3 offer a compelling package for budget-conscious listeners seeking a feature-rich experience. With Active Noise Cancellation, a comfortable fit, long battery life, and support for high-quality audio codecs, they deliver excellent value for the price. Ideal for Bass lovers, budget-minded users who prioritize ANC and long battery life.
Read more: Best Earbuds Under 1000 ₹ in India
