OnePlus has launched the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 in India at the price of Rs 11,999. This pair of proper wireless stereo (TWS) earphones from OnePlus supports up to 50dB of active noise cancellation (ANC) through their dual drivers 6mm tweeters and 11mm woofers. They support the LHDC 5.0 audio codec and dual device connectivity. The earbuds themselves come with an IP55 rating and bring a sliding touch control function. Claimed overall battery life: up to 43 hours With all these onboard specs, let's dwell on their performance correlated with the below-level OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review.
Here in the Buds Pro 3, they are in-ear and with silicone tips furnished. In the paper, nominally, they are an extra XS size but these also come with the usual S, M, and L options. The default tempting medium one fits almost all comfortably. The stem on the earbuds, slot-styled, with the two-tone finish, on the side, also marks an area there, on the stem, those tiny horizontal lines that will let the user know exactly where to control the slide function.
You can get the earphones in two colors: Lunar Radiance (white) and Midnight Opus (black). The product arrives in a small case shaped like a pebble. The design is simple and elegant, with a plastic unibody that feels like leather texture, yet it isn't vegan leather. The case isn't IP-rated, but the earpieces are rated at IP55 for dust and splash resistance. For the record, they are rated 33.60 x 21.15 x 25.00mm for both earbuds, weighing 5.28 grams, and 64.70 x 52.45 x 25.75mm for the case, weighing at 61.38 grams. Though slightly more massive than a few, the heaviness is insignificant to function.
The Buds Pro 3 is compatible enough with the user-friendly HeyMelody app of great convenience in accessing noise cancellation and equalizer settings. It's compatible with Spatial Audio and supports Golden Sound, an option that allows one to personalize sound according to ear canal and hearing tests.
The earphones themselves are also said to be touch-customizable exclusively through the Hey Melody app commands including but not limited to squeeze and slide: quick squeeze, double squeeze, triple squeeze, and squeeze and hold here; slide, for default volume down; turn, default track switch, turned off.
The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 specifications are better than their predecessor with the addition of dual DACs instead of a single DAC with dual drivers. DAC is very crucial in changing digital audio to audible signals and therefore, it considerably affects the quality of the sound itself. The new setup promises enhanced audio performance.
These match up with the specifications of earphones featuring 50dB ANC, 94ms low latency, and up to 43 hours of battery life. A 566mAh battery resides within the charging case, but each earbud gets its power from a 58mAh cell. These string-free earbuds are designed with an IP55 rating against dust and splashes. The connectivity features Bluetooth 5.4 would bring dual device connection, Google Fast Pairing, and USB Type-C.
The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 provides varying ANC modes of mild, moderate, and max, in addition to a Smart mode that changes according to environmental noise. Users may not notice a big difference between the modes, but ANC works sufficiently to block out all but a few low-frequency environmental sounds.
The sound quality created by the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 is balanced and detailed, with a six-band customizable equalizer available through the Hey Melody app. Users can switch between the five Dynaudio-backed EQ presets: Balanced, Bold, Serenade, Bass, and Dynaudio to present an airy sound playback.
As for the battery life, these earphones still perform very well. These guys afford you close to 42 hours of playback time with ANC turned off and the use of a lossy AAC codec. In ANC mode, the years drop to around 24 hours of playback. With the use of the premium LHDC codec and Smart ANC mode, total playtime with the case goes up to 20 hours and 18 minutes.
The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 is priced at Rs 11,999. This will be a very competitive price for TWS ANC-supported earphones and is going to stay afloat with good sound, robust ergonomics, and good battery life, with up to 43 hours with ANC off. With the LHDC codec and ANC on, this still gives upwards of 20 hours of runtime, which is good for most casual users. These OnePlus Buds are a good pair of noise-canceling earbuds for anyone with a budget of around Rs 12,000.
1. What are the key features of the OnePlus Buds Pro 3?
The OnePlus Buds Pro 3, priced at ₹11,999, comes with several notable features:
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): They support up to 50dB of ANC, helping to reduce external noise and enhance audio clarity.
Dual Drivers: Equipped with 11mm woofers and 6mm tweeters, they deliver a rich and detailed sound experience.
Audio Codec: The earphones support LHDC 5.0 audio codec for high-definition audio streaming.
Touch Controls: They feature slide and squeeze touch controls, customizable through the Hey Melody app.
Battery Life: The earbuds offer up to 43 hours of playback with ANC off and around 20 hours with ANC and LHDC codec.
IP Rating: The earbuds have an IP55 rating for dust and splash resistance.
Connectivity: They support Bluetooth 5.4, dual-device connection, Google Fast Pairing, and USB Type-C.
2. How does the design of the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 impact comfort and usability?
The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 is designed with user comfort and practicality in mind:
Comfortable Fit: They come with silicone tips in XS, S, M, and L sizes. The out-of-the-box medium size fits most users comfortably.
In-Ear Design: The earbuds feature an in-ear design with a rounded stem that is intended to be discreet and comfortable for extended use.
Touch Controls: The touch controls include slide and squeeze functions, with a specific area on the stem marked by horizontal lines to facilitate easy operation.
3. What is the battery life of the OnePlus Buds Pro 3?
The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 offers competitive battery performance:
With ANC Off: They provide up to 43 hours of playback time when using the lossy AAC codec.
With ANC On Playback time drops to around 24 hours.
With LHDC Codec and ANC On The total runtime, including the case, is about 20 hours and 18 minutes.
4. How does the ANC feature perform on the OnePlus Buds Pro 3?
The ANC on the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 is quite effective:
Modes: Users can select from mild, moderate, and max ANC modes, or use the Smart mode, which adjusts ANC based on environmental noise.
Performance: While the ANC effectively reduces most environmental noise, some low-frequency sounds may still be noticeable. Overall, the ANC feature works well for various noise conditions.
5. What is the sound quality like on the OnePlus Buds Pro 3?
The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 delivers a high-quality audio experience:
Balanced Sound: The earphones produce a well-rounded sound profile with detailed audio.
Equalizer Options: Users can customize sound using a six-band equalizer in the Hey Melody app. Five Dynaudio-backed EQ presets Balanced, Bold, Serenade, Bass, and Dynaudio—are available for personalized audio preferences.
Audio Performance: The dual drivers and dual DACs contribute to a clear and immersive listening experience.
6. What connectivity options are available with the OnePlus Buds Pro 3?
The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 supports various connectivity features:
Bluetooth 5.4: Provides stable and reliable wireless connection.
Dual-Device Connection: Allows simultaneous pairing with two devices.
Google Fast Pairing: Enables quick and easy pairing with compatible devices.
USB Type-C: Facilitates efficient charging.
7. How durable are the OnePlus Buds Pro 3?
The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 are built to be durable:
IP55 Rating: The earbuds have an IP55 rating, making them resistant to dust and splashes.
Build Quality: The case, while not IP-rated, has a robust plastic unibody design that mimics leather texture for added durability.
8. What is the Hey Melody app, and how does it enhance the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 experience?
The Hey Melody app is a companion app that enhances the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 experience:
Customizable Controls: Users can customize touch controls, including squeeze and slide functions.
Noise Cancellation Management: It allows users to adjust ANC settings and select from different noise cancellation modes.
Spatial Audio: Supports Spatial Audio for an immersive listening experience.
Golden Sound: Provides personalized sound tuning based on ear canal and hearing tests.
9. How does the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 compare to its predecessor, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2?
The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 offers several improvements over its predecessor:
Dual DACs: Unlike the Buds Pro 2, the Buds Pro 3 feature dual DACs, which enhance the sound quality by improving the conversion of digital audio to audible signals.
Updated Features: The newer model includes refined touch controls and additional customization options through the Hey Melody app.
10. Are the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 a good value for the price?
Priced at ₹11,999, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 offers excellent value:
Competitive Features: They provide high-quality sound, effective ANC, and good battery life at a competitive price point.
Overall Performance: The earphones' combination of features, durability, and performance makes them a solid choice for those seeking high-quality noise-canceling earbuds under ₹12,000.
The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 stands out in the TWS market for its comprehensive feature set, strong performance, and reasonable price, making it an attractive option for audio enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.