OnePlus Nord Buds 3: A Budget-Friendly TWS Earphone with a Bass-Heavy Sound Signature
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3, released in India on September 17, 2023, offer a budget-friendly option for those seeking true wireless stereo (TWS) earphones. Though sharing a design similar to the more premium Nord Buds 3 Pro, these earphones come at a lower price point, making them a compelling choice for consumers who prioritize affordability. But does this price difference impact the sound quality and overall user experience? In this review, we dive deep into the OnePlus Nord Buds 3, exploring their design, features, performance, and battery life to determine whether they are worth your money.
OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Design and Features: Familiar Territory
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 borrow heavily from the design language of the Nord Buds 3 Pro. Featuring a traditional in-ear design with silicone ear tips, they come in small, medium, and large sizes, ensuring a comfortable fit for most users. The wider bottomed stems allow for easier adjustment, and the touch controls, situated on the upper, narrower part of the stem, are marked with noticeable dents, minimizing accidental activation.
Key Design and Features:
- Size: 29.99 x 20.30 x 23.87mm (Buds); 66.60 x 51.24 x 24.83mm (Case)
- Weight: 4.2g (Buds); 46.2g (Case)
- Water & Dust Resistance: IP55 (only the earphones)
- Colors: Harmonic Gray, Melodic White
The pebble-shaped charging case sports a USB Type-C port and a pairing button on its bottom. A front-facing LED light indicates the charging status. While lightweight and easy to carry, the case lacks any official water and dust resistance certification.
OnePlus Nord Buds 3 App and Specifications: Unambiguous Essentials
The Hey Melody app acts as the control center for the OnePlus Nord Buds 3. Users can monitor battery levels, adjust noise-cancellation modes (on, off, and transparency), customize touch controls, and even tweak the EQ settings. The app also boasts a dedicated Game Mode for low-latency gaming and dual-device connectivity, allowing simultaneous pairing with two devices.
Core Specifications:
- Drivers: 12.4mm dynamic drivers
- Companion App: Hey Melody app
- Gesture Controls: Yes
- ANC: Up to 32dB
- Battery: 58mAh (Bud), 440mAh (Case)
- Fast Charging: Yes
- Bluetooth: v5.4, SBC and AAC codecs
- Google Fast Pair: Supported
OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Performance and Battery Life: Too Much Bass?
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 deliver a sound experience dominated by a powerful bass that overshadows other frequencies. While the bass is undoubtedly present and impactful, the lack of a balanced tuning can lead to a muddied sound, particularly with tracks featuring higher-frequency elements. This is particularly noticeable when directly comparing the sound to other earphones.
Fortunately, the customizable six-band EQ in the Hey Melody app provides some relief. While the Serenade preset attempts to emphasize vocals, it often sacrifices some of the bass punch. For casual listeners, experimenting with the EQ settings can lead to a more palatable audio experience.
ANC Performance:
The claimed 32dB of active noise cancellation falls short of expectations. While capable of muffling some indoor disturbances, it struggles to effectively cancel out external noises. The transparency mode lets in even more noise, ultimately leaving both ANC and transparency modes lacking.
Microphone Performance:
The microphone performance, though decent, is not ideal for noisy environments. While phone calls are audible, the voice can be slightly distorted.
Battery Life:
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 deliver impressive battery life. The company’s claim of up to 43 hours of total playback time holds true in most conditions. Without ANC, the earphones easily exceeded 42 hours, while achieving over 11 hours on a single charge. However, activating ANC significantly reduces battery life, bringing the total playback time down to just above 26 hours.
OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Verdict: A Bass-Heavy Budget Option
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 offer a promising package for budget-conscious buyers. They deliver impressive battery life and a comfortable fit, crucial for those who use earphones for extended periods. While the sound quality is heavily skewed towards bass, the customizable EQ offers some reprieve.
However, the ANC performance leaves much to be desired, and the lack of a balanced sound signature might be a deal-breaker for those seeking a more nuanced audio experience.
At Rs. 2,299, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 present a compelling value proposition. If you prioritize affordability and a long-lasting battery, these earphones are a viable option. However, those willing to spend a bit more might want to consider the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro (reviewed at Rs. 3,299), which offers significantly better sound quality and noise cancellation.
Ultimately, the choice comes down to your individual needs and preferences. For those who prioritize affordability and prioritize powerful bass over a balanced sound, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 may be the perfect match.
