The OnePlus Nord Buds CE: A Budget-Friendly Option With a Twist
OnePlus has become known for its value-driven approach to technology, particularly with its Nord series of smartphones. Now, the brand is bringing that same philosophy to the world of true wireless earbuds with the OnePlus Nord Buds CE. Priced at a tempting Rs. 1,899 (MRP of Rs. 2,699) in India, these earbuds are the most affordable option in OnePlus’s arsenal. But while this low price tag is certainly attractive, the Nord Buds CE take a bold step with a unique outer-ear fit, a design choice that isn’t as common as the more traditional in-canal styles. In this review, we’ll dive deep into the design, features, performance, and overall experience to see if the Nord Buds CE offer the value that OnePlus promises.
OnePlus Nord Buds CE: Design and Features
The Outer-Ear Fit: A Matter of Preference
The outer-ear fit for true wireless earphones is experiencing a bit of a resurgence, even if it’s not as widely adopted as in-canal options. The OnePlus Nord Buds CE embraces this design, a significant departure from the in-canal fit found on the slightly pricier OnePlus Nord Buds. This choice means that the Nord Buds CE offer minimal passive noise isolation, which could be a boon or a drawback depending on your listening environment and preferences.
The fit itself is notably loose, and the earbuds can wiggle around with even slight contact, particularly while using the touch controls. This design also leads to a significant impact on sound based on the angle at which the earbuds are worn, which can be frustrating.
A Sleek and Functional Design
Available in white and grey, the Nord Buds CE boast a single-mould design with elongated stems for microphones and charging points. The touch-sensitive area resides at the top of the stems, featuring remarkably sensitive touch controls. Unfortunately, this sensitivity led to frequent accidental commands, even during tasks as simple as adjusting the fit. Fortunately, the touch controls are customizable, allowing you to assign different actions to single, double, or triple taps – adjusting playback, invoking your smartphone’s voice assistant, or activating the 94ms low-latency game mode.
Each earpiece weighs a mere 3.5g, and the set is IPX4 water-resistant, making them suitable for light workouts or a bit of rain. The charging case, coming in at approximately 33g, is pebble-shaped and comfortably compact for pockets. It features a USB Type-C port for charging and an indicator light below the lid. The case lacks a pairing button, and the earbuds themselves don’t boast wear detection sensors.
OnePlus Nord Buds CE: App and Specifications
HeyMelody: Customization and Control
Like other OnePlus true wireless earphones, the Nord Buds CE pairs with the HeyMelody app for customization, but only on non-OnePlus smartphones. Users with OnePlus phones can manage the earphones directly within the phone’s Bluetooth settings, eliminating the need for a separate app.
The Nord Buds CE’s app support is restricted to Android, leaving iOS users out in the cold. During my review, I used the earbuds with a OnePlus phone, utilizing OnePlus Fast Pair for swift pairing and connection.
Detailed Settings and Sound Tweaking
Within the Bluetooth settings, detailed customization options abound, including:
- Sound Master EQ: This feature offers four equalizer presets for sound tweaking, allowing you to tailor the audio experience to your preferences.
- Customizable Touch Controls: You can separately adjust touch controls for each earpiece, offering fine-grained control over your listening experience.
- Remote Camera Shutter: This feature lets you use the earpiece touch sensor as a remote shutter button for your smartphone’s camera.
- Firmware Updates: Keeping your earbuds up-to-date with the latest features and bug fixes is a breeze.
- Battery Level Monitoring: You can easily view the remaining battery life of both the earbuds and the charging case through the app.
Technical Specifications
The OnePlus Nord Buds CE is equipped with:
- 13.4mm Dynamic Drivers: These drivers deliver a rich and immersive audio experience, bringing your favorite tracks to life.
- 128dB Sensitivity: This high sensitivity rating allows for loud and clear audio, even in noisy environments.
- 20-20,000Hz Frequency Response: The broad frequency range captures a wide spectrum of sound, ensuring a faithful reproduction of your music.
- Bluetooth 5.2: This latest Bluetooth standard delivers a stable and strong connection for reliable audio streaming.
- SBC and AAC Codecs: These codecs ensure compatibility with diverse devices, ensuring a seamless listening experience across various platforms.
OnePlus Nord Buds CE: Performance and Battery Life
Sound Quality: A Matter of Fit
While technically equipped, the Nord Buds CE’s sound quality is heavily influenced by the fit. The slightest adjustment in the way you wear the earbuds can drastically alter the sound profile, an inherent challenge of the outer-ear fit. However, with careful experimentation, I found a satisfactory balance between comfort and sound quality during my review.
A Pleasant Open Soundstage
The open, free-flowing nature of the outer-ear fit was surprisingly enjoyable. This allowed me to stay aware of my surroundings without compromising the listening experience, particularly beneficial for outdoor use. I found that the "Balanced" equalizer preset provided a well-rounded sound for most genres.
Bass Response and Mid-Range Clarity
Listening to "The Great Divide" by Velvetine, the Nord Buds CE delivered a surprisingly powerful bass response, with a good amount of attack and aggression while retaining detail for a budget pair. Intriguingly, twisting the earpieces inwards slightly boosted the low-end rumble, potentially catering to bass enthusiasts, though this seems like an unintended and quirky feature.
While the highs sometimes felt a little too sharp, the overall sound remained pleasant at moderate volumes. "Subways" by The Avalanches showcased the Nord Buds CE’s surprisingly competent mid-range, with a clean and detailed rendering of this complex sample-based track.
Connection and Call Quality
During my testing, I experienced no issues with connection stability, even at distances of up to 4m between the earbuds and phone. Call quality was acceptable for short conversations, although a person I frequently call noted a slight distortion in my voice.
Battery Life
The Nord Buds CE boast a 27mAh battery in each earpiece and a 300mAh battery in the charging case. I consistently achieved a 4-hour listening time on a single charge, with the case providing three additional full charges for a total of 16 hours per charge cycle – respectable for a budget headset.
The Nord Buds CE supports fast charging, promising a 10-minute charge for 81 minutes of listening.
Verdict: A Solid Budget Option With Trade-offs
Following its proven strategy with smartphones, OnePlus delivers a solid value proposition with the Nord Buds CE. These earphones represent a capable and affordable entry point to the true wireless market, particularly appealing to users with a OnePlus smartphone.
However, the outer-ear fit and its resulting sound inconsistencies are worth considering. The lack of passive noise isolation might not suit everyone, and options such as the Realme Buds Air 3 Neo with a more traditional in-canal fit and superior noise isolation could be enticing alternatives.
Ultimately, if you’re seeking an inexpensive pair of earphones, the OnePlus Nord Buds CE offer a decent listening experience with a unique design and customizable features. Despite its quirks, the Nord Buds CE deliver a solid value proposition for the price.
