The Realme Buds Air 3 Neo: A Budget-Friendly True Wireless Earphone That Packs a Punch
The true wireless earphone market is flooded with options, but finding the right balance of features and affordability can be challenging. Realme, known for its value-driven approach, continues to make waves in this segment with the latest addition to its Buds Air family, the Realme Buds Air 3 Neo. Priced at just Rs. 1,999, this earphone promises to deliver exceptional features and sound quality at a price point that’s hard to beat. But does it live up to the hype? This review dives deep into its design, performance, and features to help you determine if the Realme Buds Air 3 Neo is the perfect fit for your audio needs.
Design and Features: A Blend of Style and Substance
While the Realme Buds Air 3 Neo might share some similarities with its more expensive sibling, the Realme Buds Air 3, it boasts a distinct design that sets it apart. The earpieces feature a stem design that seamlessly integrates with the rest of the mold, offering a sleek and modern look. The reflective finish adds a touch of visual flair, contrasting beautifully with the matte plastic on the back of the stems and driver casings.
The Realme Buds Air 3 Neo adopts an in-canal fit for a secure and comfortable fit. With each earpiece weighing just 4g, they are incredibly lightweight and comfortable for extended wear. The earphone incorporates touch controls for easy management of music playback and volume. While the touch controls offer a convenient way to control the earphones, some users might find the responsiveness inconsistent during the initial period of use.
The charging case, similar in shape and size to the Buds Air 3, boasts a translucent lid that adds a touch of sophistication to the design. The case features a USB Type-C port for charging and showcases the Realme logo and indicator light on the front. While the charging case design is functional, it might not feel as premium as some of the higher-end offerings.
At this price point, the Realme Buds Air 3 Neo is surprisingly well-equipped. It features several other notable features including:
- Dolby Atmos Support: Delivers immersive audio experiences, enhancing your listening enjoyment.
- Environmental Noise Cancellation for Calls: Ensures clear and crisp voice calls, even in noisy environments.
- Fast Charging: Get quick bursts of listening time with support for fast charging.
- 88ms Low Latency Mode: Ideal for gamers, this mode minimizes the delay between audio and visuals for a more immersive gaming experience.
- IPX5 Water Resistance: Protects the earphones from splashes and sweat, making them great for workouts and outdoor activities.
A complete package includes three pairs of ear tips and a short charging cable.
App and Specifications: A User-Friendly Experience
Realme’s Realme Link App plays a vital role in managing and customizing the Realme Buds Air 3 Neo. While the app works wonderfully on Android devices, it lacks support for the iOS version. This might be a significant drawback for iPhone users as they lose access to the app’s functionality.
On Android, the Realme Link App shines with its user-friendly interface, offering:
- Battery Level Display: Stay informed about the remaining battery life of both earpieces.
- Equalizer Presets: Choose from three equalizer presets (Balanced, Bass Boost, Bright) to customize your listening experience.
- Volume Enhancer: Increase the volume output for louder audio.
- Dolby Atmos: Activate Dolby Atmos for an enhanced audio experience.
- Game Mode: Enable the 88ms low latency mode for a seamless gaming experience.
- Customized Tap Controls: Personalize touch controls to control playback, volume, and more according to your preference.
The Realme Buds Air 3 Neo boasts 10mm dynamic drivers, offering rich and powerful sound. With Bluetooth 5.2 for connectivity, the earphones support the SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs.
Performance and Battery Life: Delivering on Value
Realme has undoubtedly come a long way in the true wireless segment, and the Buds Air 3 Neo is another testament to the brand’s commitment to delivering impressive value for money. The Realme Buds Air 3 Neo impresses with its loud, clean sound and a decent set of features, surpassing many other TWS offerings at this price point.
The standard codec support ensures compatibility with both iOS and Android devices, offering a hassle-free audio experience. The earphones deliver a surprisingly high volume output, with the average user not needing to exceed the 50 percent volume level indoors. The sonic signature is characteristically U-shaped, emphasizing the lows and highs even with the ‘Balanced’ equalizer setting.
Tracks like ‘Rollin’ by Calvin Harris highlight the powerful bass response of the Realme Buds Air 3 Neo, with the deep beats hitting hard even at lower volume levels. While the bass dominates the overall sound stage, the vocals don’t feel muffled or lost in the mix. However, the earphones are clearly tuned with a focus on bass-heavy genres like EDM and pop.
In tracks that don’t heavily rely on bass, such as ‘Neon’ by John Mayer, the treble becomes more prominent. Although not harsh or shrill, there are instances where the treble might come across as a bit sharp, particularly when listening to high-frequency instruments like hi-hats. The excellent clarity of the vocals shines through the mix, maintaining the overall balanced and straightforward nature of the audio.
Overall, ‘inoffensive’ accurately describes the sound of the Realme Buds Air 3 Neo. It might not offer the same sophisticated sound signature as some higher-end options, but it delivers a satisfying audio experience for everyday listening and commuting, given its price.
The call quality on the Realme Buds Air 3 Neo is decent for the price, delivering clear conversations both indoors and outdoors. The strong volume output contributes significantly to the clear call quality, even in noisy situations. Connection stability is also commendable, with the earphone maintaining a reliable connection up to 3 meters away from the smartphone. While Dolby Atmos support is present, it doesn’t seem to significantly impact the sound quality with compatible tracks on platforms like Apple Music.
Battery life on the Realme Buds Air 3 Neo is impressive, with the earphones lasting around six hours on a single charge at 50 percent volume. The charging case offers three additional charges, providing a total of 24 hours of battery life per charge cycle.
Verdict: A Budget-Friendly Winner
The Realme Buds Air 3 Neo is a straightforward, yet compelling choice for budget-conscious consumers seeking true wireless earphones. Its sleek design, comfortable fit, compelling features, decent battery life, and respectable sound quality for the price make it a strong contender in the sub-Rs. 2,000 segment.
Alternatives from brands like OnePlus and Oppo could be considered, but the Realme Buds Air 3 Neo possesses an edge with its dedicated app support. For those on a tight budget, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2, with its neckband design and slightly superior sound quality, could also be a worthy alternative.
Overall, the Realme Buds Air 3 Neo delivers a package that’s hard to beat, providing exceptional value for its price, and standing out as one of the best true wireless earphone options under Rs. 2,000.
