OnePlus Buds Pro 3: Unbeatable ANC & Sound Quality For Under Rs 12,000
OnePlus challenges high-end TWS market with feature-packed, budget-friendly earbuds.
OnePlus has been consistently delivering some of the best active noise cancellation (ANC) TWS buds for the past couple of years. Its flagship Buds Pro line has often adopted an AirPods-like design, providing comfort alongside pristine sound quality and a very capable active noise cancellation system in a package that's been less than half the price of the AirPods Pro. Now, we're into the third generation of these TWS earbuds, and they're better than ever, with the price gap wider than before. However, the competition across the board has also ramped up significantly. So how do they fare?
Design and Build
The most notable change in design isn't with the buds themselves, but rather the case. OnePlus has introduced a pebble-shaped case featuring a leather-like texture, reminiscent of phones like the OnePlus Open. This new case feels premium, plush, and comfortable. It fits snugly in your pocket and doesn't feel significantly larger or smaller than other TWS earphone cases or even the Apple AirPods Pro.
As for the buds, their design remains largely unchanged. They maintain the AirPods-like form factor, which, in my opinion, is the most effective way to design TWS buds. This design provides the best balance between comfort and a snug fit while ensuring good audio quality and precise microphone positioning for clear audio capture. The package includes various ear tip sizes, allowing users to customize the fit according to their ear canal size for a more precise and comfortable experience.
Technical Specifications
Internally, the buds are equipped with dual 11mm and 6mm drivers, boasting a frequency range of 10Hz-40kHz. They support Bluetooth 5.4 and are compatible with AAC, LHDC 5.0, and SBC codecs. Additionally, they offer Google Fast Pair support for devices running Android 11 and beyond, as well as multipoint connectivity.
The LHDC codec is particularly beneficial for those interested in lossless audio, available on services like Apple Music on Android phones from OnePlus, such as the OnePlus 12 or Open. However, it's worth noting that this feature isn't accessible on iPhones. While LHDC is a capable codec, it's not as widespread as the LDAC codec used by most wireless products supporting lossless audio.
Controls and Durability
The Buds Pro 3 feature squeeze and swipe controls, which can be somewhat finicky to use. While I eventually got accustomed to them during my testing process, I generally haven't been a fan of controls on TWS earphones. The squeeze and hold control is particularly useful, allowing easy switching between ANC and transparency modes. These modes can also be customized through the HeyMelody app, available for both Android and iOS. The app also allows users to set up gestures for activating voice assistants or other modes like Zen mode or Game mode.
In terms of resilience, the Buds Pro 3 support IP55 water and dust resistance. This means they should hold up well in light rain and even with heavy sweating. It's important to note, however, that the case itself isn't IP55 rated, so it shouldn't be exposed to water or dust. During my testing, I took them out for a walk that unexpectedly ended in light rain, and the earphones came out unscathed. For those needing more robust protection, there are models like the JBL Live Beam 3 that offer IP68 water and dust resistance, albeit at a slightly higher price point of around Rs 15,000.
Battery Life
Battery life on these buds is excellent. OnePlus claims up to 6 hours of use on a single charge, though in my tests, I managed around 5 hours consistently. This is quite competitive with the AirPods Pro 2. When factoring in the case, OnePlus suggests up to 19 hours of total playback time. While I haven't scientifically tested this claim, I can confidently say that it was easily surpassing the 12-hour mark. These figures are with active noise cancellation enabled; disabling ANC essentially doubles the battery life in real-world usage. The charging speed is also impressive, with just 10 minutes of charging the case providing up to 5 hours of listening time.
Software and Features
One of the standout features of the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 is the HeyMelody app, developed by Oppo. Available across device types, it offers a consistent experience on both iPhone and Android. The app is pleasantly designed and user-friendly. For OnePlus device users, like those with the OnePlus Open or OnePlus Pad 2, the buds connect automatically, similar to AirPods.
The app allows users to customize on-ear controls, switch between noise cancellation or transparency modes, and activate multipoint connectivity. It also includes a handy audio-based Find My Earbuds feature to locate lost earpieces.
A full equalizer is built into the app, offering five EQ presets and a bass slider to adjust low frequencies. There's also a six-band EQ for fine-tuning audio frequencies between 62Hz and 16KHz, though this is somewhat limited compared to competitors like the JBL Live Beam 3 and Nothing Ear, which offer more flexibility.
The app retains popular features from previous models, such as the Golden Sound mode, which tunes the audio based on your ear canal shape – a surprisingly effective feature. There's also an earbuds fit test, Spatial Audio activation (with options for head-tracked or fixed spatial dynamics), Zen Mode Air for relaxing white noise, and even a neck health feature that advises on posture.
While most features are available cross-platform, iOS users miss out on some Android-exclusive features like Neck Health, Zen Mode Air, and LHDC support. It's also worth noting that LHDC support isn't universal across all smartphones.
Performance
Noise cancellation on the Buds Pro 3 is excellent, to the point where users can confidently rely on the automatic setting that comes as default. The earbuds effectively remove low-end rumble, such as bass from loud music on the streets, and also cut out jarring frequencies like jackhammer sounds, engine noises, and even barking dogs to a certain extent. Having 14 dogs at home provided ample opportunity to test this feature thoroughly. The noise cancellation performance is on par with the AirPods Pro 2 and certainly superior to anything else in the sub-Rs 20,000 price range.
The transparency mode, while decent and better than products like the JBL Live Beam 3, doesn't quite match the quality of the AirPods Pro 2.
Where the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 truly excel is in audio quality. Unlike the Buds Pro 2, which featured an EQ tuned by Hans Zimmer, this model doesn't have that specific tuning. However, the sound is full, clear, and well-bodied. One of the most impressive aspects is how well they handle complex music that typically gets distorted, such as Tool's "Sober," which never sounds muddy on these buds. Playing Pink Floyd's "Time" revealed an impeccable soundstage, especially considering the price point.
While I haven't personally tested the Nothing Ear (2), I'm confident that these TWS earphones will outperform them in sound quality. Hip-hop tracks like Hanumankind's "Big Dawgs" sounded explosive, while Dua Lipa's "Houdini" came through sweet and clear. Even Bollywood chart-toppers like "Tauba Tauba" sounded impressive.
The Spatial Audio feature, tested with head tracking both on and off while watching the IC814 show on the OnePlus Open, performed admirably. While it may not surpass the AirPods Pro 2 in this aspect, it's remarkably impressive for its price point. Watching films like "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Endgame" was also an enjoyable experience with the Buds Pro 3. They also paired well with a OnePlus TV during testing.
Podcasts sounded very impressive, though I noticed a slight hollowness to the sound when Spatial Audio was activated. Call quality is another area where the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 excelled, with the microphones performing exceptionally well. Numerous times, the person on the other end of the call remarked on the excellent audio quality.
Verdict
Overall, testing these TWS earbuds has been a delightful experience. Even dedicated AirPods users would find it challenging to critique the OnePlus Buds Pro 3, whether in terms of general audio quality, Spatial Audio performance, noise cancellation, battery life, or fit and finish. The ability to customize the EQ settings allows users to fine-tune the audio to their personal preferences, potentially extracting even more pleasing sound.
While the transparency mode may not be their strongest feature, it's far from inadequate. It's worth noting that unlike AirPods, which are so technologically advanced they can serve as protective earbuds, the Buds Pro 3 don't quite reach that level of sophistication.
In conclusion, at Rs 11,999, these TWS earbuds offer exceptional value for money with no significant weaknesses. They present a compelling option for those seeking high-quality wireless earbuds without the premium price tag typically associated with top-tier models.
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