OnePlus Buds 3 Review: Premium Features Without the Premium Price Tag
In the competitive world of truly wireless earbuds, OnePlus has upped its game with the release of the OnePlus Buds 3. While technically a new product line, these buds are closer to the Nord Buds Z2 in terms of features and price, making them a natural progression. However, their positioning just below the premium OnePlus Buds Pro 2 within the OnePlus audio range makes them a very compelling option for those seeking high-quality sound and features without breaking the bank. After spending a couple of weeks with the OnePlus Buds 3, I’m convinced these earbuds are an excellent choice for their price of Rs. 5,499 in India.
OnePlus Buds 3 Review: Design and Features
The design of the OnePlus Buds 3 charging case closely resembles the OnePlus Buds Pro 2, but with a more substantial build due to the larger battery. While the case has a plastic finish and doesn’t feel as premium as the Buds Pro 2’s case, it’s perfectly acceptable considering its lower price point. The thicker dimensions actually make the case easier to open, allowing for one-handed operation.
The OnePlus Buds 3 offer a comfortable fit with a grippy semi-chrome finish.
The earbuds are available in two finishes: Splendid Blue and Metallic Gray. The Splendid Blue earbuds, which I had the opportunity to review, feature a stylish chrome finish around the stems, contrasting with the blue plastic casing closer to the silicon tips. These chromed stems provide a good grip, preventing them from slipping out of your hands when removing or placing them back in the case. Similar to the OnePlus Buds Pro 2, the earbuds have a comfortable fit, allowing for hours of wear without any discomfort.
The charging case weighs 40.8 grams, while each earbud weighs 4.8 grams, making them lighter than the combined weight of the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 (over 50 grams). Like the OnePlus Buds Z2, the Buds 3 offer an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance, making them suitable for sweaty workouts or splashes of water. The package includes two extra sets of silicon ear tips and a short USB-C charging cable.
The OnePlus Buds 3’s charging case (right) is thicker but boasts a larger battery capacity compared to the Buds Pro 2’s case (left).
OnePlus Buds 3 Review: App and Specifications
When connected to a OnePlus smartphone, all settings and customisations are accessible under the Bluetooth Settings of the phone by navigating to Settings > Bluetooth > OnePlus Buds 3 > i > Earbuds functions. From here, users can adjust the active noise cancellation effectiveness, tweak the equalizer, toggle 3D audio, and most importantly, customize the earbud controls. The app also allows users to locate their earbuds and control the camera when connected to a OnePlus smartphone (not available on non-OnePlus devices).
For non-OnePlus smartphones and iPhone users, the HeyMelody app is available on both Android and iOS devices, offering extensive control and customization options. The app grants access to Noise Control (ANC), adjustable EQ, Golden Sound, OnePlus 3D Audio, dual connections toggle, and the ability to check connected devices on an iPhone. It even features a game mode for low latency and allows firmware upgrades through an iPhone, a remarkable feat considering its availability on iOS. Earbud controls are conveniently accessible under a separate section within the app.
The touch controls on the OnePlus Buds 3 are completely redesigned. They are responsive and provide accurate feedback when sliding a finger up or down the stem of the earbuds. While touch controls have been a feature in previous OnePlus earbuds, the new slide gesture allows users to easily change tracks or adjust volume.
The HeyMelody app functions well on iOS and non-OnePlus devices, offering a wealth of features and customization options.
Furthermore, the slide gesture can be customized for each earbud. One earbud can be used for switching tracks while the other can be used to adjust volume. This feature alone makes the OnePlus Buds 3 a compelling upgrade choice for many, as even the Buds Pro 2 lack the ability to adjust volume controls via the earbuds.
In terms of specifications, each earbud houses a 10.4mm woofer and a 6mm tweeter (dual drivers), offering a sensitivity of 110db and a frequency response range of 15Hz to 40,000Hz. There are 3 microphones on each earbud used for noise cancellation and calls. Each earbud boasts a 58mAH Li-ion battery, while the case packs a substantial 520mAh unit. The earphones use Bluetooth 5.3 and support AAC, SBC, and even the LHDC 5.0 codec.
OnePlus Buds 3 Review: Performance and Battery Life
As expected from an audio product at this price point, the audio profile leans towards a bass-heavy sound signature. However, it’s not the usual muddy bass but rather a clear and defined type, making it enjoyable for dance music and even movie watching, adding a satisfying thump without being overpowering. This balanced bass response is achieved with the default Balanced EQ setting, which lives up to its name and reserves the more bass-heavy sound for the Bass setting. While the mids take a bit of a back seat, most users might not notice the difference. For those who do, the Serenade preset helps to address this to a certain extent.
The Buds 3 feature a unique BassWave feature, which allows users to not only increase the bass level but also drop or reduce it. However, during my testing, utilizing this feature only seemed to make the sound worse regardless of the setting, leading me to prefer keeping it disabled.
The microphones excel at drowning out ambient sounds, ensuring caller’s voices are loud and clear in a variety of settings. Throughout my review period, I never received complaints about my voice quality, which is impressive considering the constant reports of call quality issues with the Buds Pro 2.
While appearing similar, the OnePlus Buds 3 earbuds feature thicker stalks.
The active noise cancellation (ANC) technology performs as expected, effectively suppressing low-frequency noise but not as efficient in handling mid and high-frequency noise, which tends to leak through. Nonetheless, it’s a capable ANC system considering its price point and gets the job done.
Connectivity proved reliable with the OnePlus Buds 3. I was able to engage in conversations and listen to music several meters away (with solid walls with doors in between) within my apartment, and the connection remained stable without dropping or struggling (provided I stuck with the lighter SBC/AAC codec). For gaming, a separate mode prioritizes latency over audio quality when using the HeyMelody app on iPhone or other Android devices.
Concerning battery life, playing music continuously at 50 percent volume using the ACC codec with ANC off, the buds easily lasted 10 hours on a single charge. Turning on ANC reduced this to roughly 6 hours. Switching to the heavier LHDC codec, as expected, further reduced playtime to approximately 5 hours. Thankfully, the chunky case provides enough power to fully charge the earbuds four times.
While the LHDC audio codec is available, sticking with AAC for better battery life and ANC usage seems wiser, as the advantages of LHDC are somewhat gimmicky with these earbuds. They can manage a bare minimum of 400kbps, but the promised 1Mbps or 1,000kbps bitrate proves unusable in terms of stability and range.
While I couldn’t accurately test charging speeds, OnePlus claims that charging the Buds 3 for 10 minutes with the case provides up to 7 hours of combined usage, which sounds reasonable.
Verdict
At Rs. 5,499, the OnePlus Buds 3 truly wireless earphones offer a plethora of features inherited from the more premium Buds Pro 2 (link to Buds Pro 2) (link to Buds Pro 2 review), almost making the latter redundant with its lower price point.
Key features of the Buds 3 include the new slide gestures with touch controls, providing a convenient way to control volume and music playback without reaching for your smartphone. While the addition of the LHDC codec is questionable, the Buds 3 still deliver capable ANC and excellent voice quality. A well-designed companion app, offering most of the features available on a OnePlus smartphone, even on non-OnePlus devices, solidifies the OnePlus Buds 3 as a highly compelling audio package at this price point.
In conclusion, the OnePlus Buds 3 are a fantastic option for budget-conscious consumers who prioritize quality sound, comprehensive features, and a comfortable fit. While the LHDC codec might not be necessary for most users, the overall package, including the touch controls, ANC, and battery life, makes these earbuds a standout choice in the affordable truly wireless earbud market.
