The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro: Big Bass, Bigger Battery, and a Budget-Friendly Price
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro, launched alongside the OnePlus Nord 4, are aiming to make a splash in the competitive world of true wireless stereo (TWS) earphones. They offer a compelling mix of features: impressive active noise cancellation (ANC) of up to 49dB, dual-device connectivity perfect for multitasking, and customizable equalizer settings for a personalized audio experience. But the real star of the show might be the battery life – with up to 44 hours of playback time, including the charging case, these buds promise to keep the music flowing for days on end. Let’s dive into the details and see if the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro live up to the hype.
OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro Design and Features: Chic, Dual-Tone Finish
The design of the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro is both familiar and stylish. Featuring a traditional in-ear design with silicone ear tips (available in S, M, and L sizes), they offer a comfortable fit for most users. The stems are wider at the base for a secure grip while wearing and adjusting the buds, and the touch controls are located on the upper, narrower part of the stem, marked by a distinct, elongated indentation. This design choice makes it easy to locate the touch controls without having to look at the buds.
The charging case boasts a premium look with a dual-tone finish. The review unit in Soft Jade color showcases a shiny green hue on the top of the pebble-like case, contrasted by a lighter green with scattered white dots on the rest of the body – reminiscent of an unpolished jade rock. Both the earphones and the case are lightweight and easy to carry.
Key Features at a Glance:
- Size: 29.99 x 20.30 x 23.87mm (Buds), 66.60 x 51.24 x 24.83mm (Case)
- Weight: 4.4g (Each Bud), 38.2g (Case)
- Water and dust resistance: IP55 (Buds only)
- Colors: Soft Jade, Starry Black
- Charging Port: USB Type-C
The case features a USB Type-C charging port at the bottom and a button next to the port, enabling users to easily connect to a second device. There’s also a small LED light at the front of the case, indicating the earphones’ battery level. The individual earbuds, with an IP55 rating, have charging connectors at the bottom of the stems, preventing direct contact with the skin.
OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro App and Specifications: Effortless, Effective
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro are compatible with the Hey Melody application, a user-friendly companion for these buds. The app’s straightforward layout makes it easy to navigate. One of the first things you see is the battery percentage of the earphones and the charging case (when open). The app also seamlessly controls the noise cancellation modes: Noise Cancellation, Off, and Transparency.
Diving Deeper into the Features:
- Driver: 12.4mm dynamic driver
- Companion App: Hey Melody
- Gesture Controls: Yes
Within the Noise Cancellation mode, you can further customize the intensity of the ANC from Mild, Moderate, Max, and Smart. The first three options are self-explanatory, allowing you to tailor the level of noise reduction based on your needs. The “smart” mode analyzes the surrounding noise levels and automatically selects the appropriate intensity of noise cancellation for you.
The app also offers a Personalized noise cancellation feature, which attempts to customize the ANC based on your auditory canal structure and earbud fit. While this feature didn’t drastically impact the ANC performance in my experience, it’s a nice addition for those looking for the most personalized audio experience.
Furthermore, the Hey Melody app allows you to:
- Manage touch controls.
- Customize equalization settings with pre-set options and a six-band equalizer.
- Activate a dedicated, low-latency Game Mode for seamless, lag-free gaming and audio-visual experiences.
- Enjoy dual connectivity, allowing you to connect the earphones to two devices simultaneously.
Specifications:
- 12.4mm dynamic drivers
- Three-mic system
- Up to 49dB of ANC
- Total battery life up to 44 hours
- 58mAh battery in each earbud, 440mAh battery in the case
- IP55 dust and splash resistance (buds only)
- USB Type-C charging for the case
- Support for Google Fast Pair, Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity, and SBC and AAC audio codecs.
OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro Performance and Battery Life: Big Bass, Bigger Battery
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro offer distinct noise cancellation options, with Transparency mode letting in environmental sounds and ANC on providing adjustable noise reduction. The maximum ANC level effectively drowns out common disturbances like conversations or appliance noise but may not entirely eliminate low-frequency sounds like a fan’s whirring.
The audio experience delivered by the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro is characterized by its bass-heavy sound signature. This is great for punchy, upbeat tracks, but details in the mids and trebles can sometimes sound muddied and flat.
Unveiling the Sound:
- ANC: 49dB
- Battery: 58mAh (Bud), 440mAh (Case)
- Fast Charging: Yes (claimed 10 minutes for up to 11 hours)
- Bluetooth: v5.4
The Hey Melody app offers a variety of equalization presets to help you fine-tune the sound specifically to your tastes:
- Balanced: Offers a more neutral sound experience.
- Serenade: Enhances the clarity of vocals.
- Bass: Provides a boosted low-end experience.
- BassWave: Delivers a remarkably pronounced bass experience.
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro truly shine with bass-heavy tracks, making songs like “Hysteria” by Muse and “Sir Duke” by Stevie Wonder a joy to listen to. While the audio experience may not be as detailed with other genres like classical music, the buds deliver a clear and steady connection for podcasts, movies, and TV shows, offering an enjoyable listening experience for a wide range of audio content.
Connectivity and Call Quality:
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro smoothly connect with two devices simultaneously, providing a reliable and nearly lag-free experience for multitasking. While they don’t support lossless audio codecs, the combination of SBC, AAC, and Bluetooth 5.4 is a solid foundation for high-quality wireless audio, especially considering the buds’ price point.
Calls are clear and uninterrupted thanks to the combination of the noise cancellation and three-mic system. Even in noisy environments like busy shops, the voice clarity remains impressive.
Battery Life:
The battery life of the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro is one of their most impressive features. With ANC off, the earphones can provide up to 12 hours of playback time on a single charge. Alongside the charging case, this extends to an impressive 44 hours of total playback time. If you turn on the maximum ANC setting, you can expect about six hours of battery life on the buds alone.
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro also support fast charging technology, offering up to 11 hours of playback time (at 50 percent volume) with only 10 minutes of charging (with ANC off). The case supports USB Type-C wired charging.
OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro: Verdict
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro, priced at Rs. 3,299, are a great option for budget-minded consumers looking for TWS earphones that are versatile, stylish, and comfortable. Their bass-heavy sound signature will likely appeal to listeners who enjoy energetic tracks, and their impressive battery life ensures that you’ll have hours of listening time without needing to worry about a charge.
Alternatives:
If you’re willing to spend slightly more, the CMF Buds Pro 2 offers a similar feature set with up to 43 hours of total battery life, 50dB of ANC, and a dual-driver system for a more detailed sound experience. The Nothing X app also integrates with the CMF Buds Pro 2, offering ChatGPT integration, and they are currently available in India for Rs. 4,299.
Conclusion:
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro offer a compelling value proposition for budget-conscious consumers. They deliver a stylish design, comfortable fit, impressive battery life, and solid audio performance, making them a solid choice for those looking for a well-rounded TWS earbud experience. However, if you prioritize a more detailed sound signature with a wider frequency range, the CMF Buds Pro 2 might be a better option. Ultimately, the choice depends on your personal preferences and budget.
