OnePlus has broadened its audio offerings by introducing the new flagship OnePlus Buds Pro 3. These wireless earbuds have a sophisticated appearance and have been fine-tuned by Dynaudio, a renowned Danish speaker manufacturer, ensuring exceptional sound quality.
OnePlus has incorporated features such as extended battery life to give users a premium wireless earbud experience. The effectiveness of this endeavor will ultimately be assessed through reviews. We have tested these earbuds extensively and will discuss various elements in this review, including design, sound quality, battery performance, and connectivity.
OnePlus Buds Pro 3 Review
Smartprix Score 4.5/5
Pros
- Good build quality of case & buds
- Effective ANC
- IP55 Rating
- Bass is impressive
Cons
- Case feels bulky
- Mid-range sounds feel suppressed
OnePlus Buds Pro 3 Price & Availability
OnePlus Buds Pro 3 are priced at Rs. 11, 999 and can be purchased online (via Amazon) in two colors.
OnePlus Buds Pro 3 Review: Design & Fit
In this iteration, OnePlus has opted for a distinct design for the Buds Pro 3. Unlike the OnePlus Buds Pro 2, which resembles a suitcase, the new case has a pebble-like shape. The company has applied a leather texture to enhance its premium appearance, although it is fundamentally constructed from durable plastic. The dual-tone design adds a refreshing touch, featuring a leather finish on both the front and back, complemented by a metallic finish on the sides.
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OnePlus has launched Buds Pro 3 in two shades—Midnight Opus and Lunar Radiance- and we received the latter for review. With this new design language, it looks better and feels compact, easily fitting into one’s pocket.
When you open the case, an LED indicator blinks between the buds. At the bottom of the case is a Type-C port and a second LED indicator that blinks when the case is charging. The right side of the case has a button for pairing.
Talking about the design of the buds, these two feature a dual-tone (matte and glossy) finish. While the front side of the buds is white and feels matte, the backside is steel with a glossy finish.
The design makes the buds look premium, and the airpod-like design makes them fit into ears well. This means you can wear these buds without getting uncomfortable for long periods. You can change the ear tips according to your ear size, as three more tips are inside the box apart from the pre-installed ones. There is pressure control on both buds, which works decently.
OnePlus Buds Pro 3 Review: Connectivity, Control & Features
The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 offers impressive audio quality and comprehensive features. They are compatible with the Hey Melody companion app, which is available on Android and iOS platforms. While you can connect the earbuds to devices via Bluetooth for audio playback without the app, installing it is necessary to access all functionalities and customize the earbuds to your preferences.
To pair the earbuds with the app, simply open the case lid and activate Bluetooth on your device. Once this is done, your device will recognize the earbuds, and you will need to press the button located on the right side of the case for a few seconds to initiate the pairing process. After tapping connect, the earbuds will link to your device almost instantly. I experienced no difficulties when connecting the earbuds to my smartphone.
By gently pressing the stem of the earbuds from below, you can play or pause your music. A double press on both stems will allow you to skip tracks. To adjust the volume, slide the stem from top to bottom and press and hold the stem for a moment, activating the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) feature.
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The Buds Pro 3’s Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) feature is notably effective, particularly in indoor environments. Throughout my experience, the ANC successfully eliminated background noises such as conversations, air conditioning units, and fans. This iteration has improved upon its predecessor in terms of ANC performance. The Hey Melody app provides the functionality to toggle the ANC on or off and includes a transparency mode.
In addition to these capabilities, five equalizer settings are available, allowing users to customize sound profiles to their preferences. The Golden Sound feature enables users to assess their hearing, enhancing the overall audio quality. Furthermore, including spatial audio enriches the surround sound experience, making it even more engaging.
OnePlus Buds Pro 3 comes with multipoint or dual connection, Earbud Fit Test, and more. There are LHDC 5.0/AAC/SBC Bluetooth codecs and features like Google Fast Pair, in-ear detection, and more.
OnePlus Buds Pro 3 Review: Sound & ANC
Upon playing a track and inserting the Buds Pro 3 into my ears, I was immediately struck by the impressive audio quality. The beats and overall music experience were notably enjoyable. After just one track, it became clear that the sound quality was exceptional, attributed to the Dynaudio tuning, an 11mm woofer, and a 6mm tweeter. Each earbud features a dual driver, and for the first time, each bud is equipped with its own DAC, resulting in a more balanced sound compared to its predecessor.
The earbuds support SBC, AAC, and LHDC 5.0 codecs, although they do not include LDAC support, which is why many Android devices favor the AAC codec. Additionally, there is no support for Bluetooth LE audio. As previously mentioned, OnePlus has collaborated with Dynaudio to provide equalizer modes within the app, featuring Dynaudio labels for each mode. The design and sound quality cater well to both casual listeners and audiophiles alike.
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The audio experience with the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 showcases a strong presence of both low and high-frequency sounds. This results in a clear representation of the song’s beats and bass while also allowing high notes to be distinctly heard. The bass is robust, and the high frequencies are rendered with clarity. However, the mid-range frequencies lack definition, leading to less satisfactory performance for medium notes and instruments. Overall, the sound quality is commendable, particularly when compared to the pricing of Samsung and Apple AirPods.
OnePlus Buds Pro 3 Review: Battery Life & Charging
According to OnePlus, Buds Pro 3 will offer a battery life of up to 10 hours on their own and a battery life of 43 hours with the case. This is when ANC is off. When ANC is on, earbuds offer 6 hours of battery life on their own, and with the case, it extends to 25 hours.
In real-world usage, when ANC was on, the buds did last more than 6 hours on a single charge.
There is also fast charging support, wherein a mere 10 minutes of charging offers up to 5 hours of battery backup. It also supports wireless charging so if you ever run out of battery, you can use your phone to charge these buds.
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OnePlus Buds Pro 3 Review Verdict: Should You Buy?
Smartprix Rating: 7.5/10
Sound: 7.5/10
Design and Comfort: 8/10
Connectivity: 8/10
App: 8/10
Playback Controls: 8/10
Noise Cancellation: 7.5/10
Calling: 8/10
Battery and Charging: 7/10
OnePlus just dropped the OnePlus Buds Pro 3, priced at Rs. 12,000. These earbuds stand out with their dual leather and metal finishes, giving them a sleek look, and the Dynaudio sound quality is top-notch. At Rs. 11,999, they pack some impressive features and deliver solid sound, especially with their standout bass and treble. The two DACs ensure fantastic instrument separation. The active noise cancellation (ANC) works like a charm, and with the Hey Melody App, you can easily connect to any Android or iOS device and personalize your settings. The battery life is also pretty stellar. While the case feels a bit heavier than some other options and the mid-range sound quality could use a boost, these are minor drawbacks considering the extensive features you get for under 15k.
