The Realme Buds Air 3: A Solid Upgrade with a Pricey Twist
Affordable true wireless earphones have become increasingly popular, with brands like Realme, Oppo, and OnePlus vying for dominance in the sub-Rs. 5,000 market. While earlier offerings like the Realme Buds Air 2 were decent, recent releases from competitors have set a new standard for what consumers can expect from budget TWS headsets. Now, Realme is back with its latest offering, the Buds Air 3, promising incremental improvements over its predecessor. But with strong contenders like the Oppo Enco Air 2 Pro and OnePlus Buds Z2, does the Buds Air 3 take the crown as the best sub-Rs. 5,000 TWS headset? Let’s dive into this review and find out.
Compact Design & Comfortable Fit
The Realme Buds Air 3, priced at Rs. 3,999, comes in Starry Blue and Galaxy White. A new Nitro Blue option with white racing stripes is available for Rs. 4,999. While the latest iteration is similar in appearance to the Buds Air 2, it features a more compact earpiece and charging case design. The in-canal fit provides excellent noise isolation, enhancing the effectiveness of the active noise cancellation.
The earpieces boast a distinctive design, with stems that are molded differently from the main chamber. The stems are a contrasting silver color on the white earpieces, adding a touch of style. The earpieces are IPX5 water-resistant and weigh just 4.2g each. The packaging includes a short charging cable and three pairs of silicone ear tips for a customizable fit. The touch-sensitive controls on the outer sides of the stems allow for playback control, ANC/hear-through mode switching, voice assistant activation, and game mode activation.
While the touch controls function adequately, there were instances where a triple-tap was misread as a double-tap or didn’t register at all. This can be attributed to the small, unmarked touch-sensitive area on each earpiece.
The charging case complements the earpiece design, featuring a similar color and finish. It includes a USB Type-C port for charging, a Bluetooth pairing button, a LED indicator, and the Realme logo on the top. The charging case, although smaller than its predecessor, offers less additional charging time, but the improved battery life of the earpieces compensates.
App Integration: Enhancing Control and Customization
The Realme Link app (available for Android & iOS) offers a range of features for the Buds Air 3. Users can toggle between ANC and hear-through modes, activate game mode, manage dual-device connectivity, enable in-ear detection, and personalize the touch controls. The app lets you switch between three equalizer presets or create a customized audio signature through a hearing test tailored to your individual preferences.
The app’s flexibility enables users to tailor their audio experience to their liking.
Sound Performance: A Step Up from the Past
The Realme Buds Air 2, while being feature-rich, delivered mediocre sound quality and ANC performance. The Buds Air 3 offers a significant upgrade in this regard, showcasing more detailed audio and improved ANC while retaining the reliable connectivity and ease of use of its predecessor.
Equipped with 10mm dynamic drivers and supporting Bluetooth 5.2, the Buds Air 3 offers a more refined sound with less emphasis on overly powerful bass. The bass is clean and tight, a refreshing departure from the punchy, sometimes overwhelming bass found in other budget TWS options. The highs are comfortable and clean, while the mid-range remains slightly less prominent than the highs and lows.
This balanced sonic signature enhances the overall listening experience, offering an engaging and clean sound, as exemplified by tracks like "Intoxicated" by Martin Solveig. The Buds Air 3 effectively highlight the strengths of the track, emphasizing the beat and clarity, showcasing a noticeable improvement over the Buds Air 2.
The detail and clarity of the Buds Air 3 shine through with the soothing, down-tempo track "Feels Like Summer" by Childish Gambino. The earphones deliver a more pleasant and refined sound, comparable to established players in the price range. The clarity of Donald Glover’s vocals and the nuances of the instrumental details are beautifully captured.
The Buds Air 3 delivers a safe, comfortable sound that avoids listener fatigue, particularly at reasonable volume levels. However, this approach prioritizes comfort over attack and drive, falling slightly behind the Oppo Enco Air 2 Pro and OnePlus Buds Z2 in terms of dynamic range.
Active Noise Cancellation: A Noticeable improvement, but not the Best in Class
The active noise cancellation on the Buds Air 3 is a considerable step up from the Buds Air 2. It effectively reduces constant sounds like the hum of an air conditioner, offering a more focused listening experience. However, while urban noise is softened, it’s not silenced, and competing TWS models like the OnePlus Buds Z2 or the Nothing Ear 1 offer a noticeably more effective ANC.
Transparency mode, while somewhat amplified, allows users to hear their surroundings clearly, making it a viable alternative to removing the earpieces for quick conversations.
Connectivity remains a strong point for the Buds Air 3. The earphones demonstrate reliable performance at distances up to 4m, and multi-point connectivity allows seamless use with multiple devices, including clear, interference-free calls.
Battery Life: Decent Performance with a Smaller Case
The Buds Air 3 delivers a decent 4 hours and 30 minutes of playtime on a single charge. The charging case provides three additional full charges, giving you a total runtime of around 18 hours. While the charging case is smaller than that of the Buds Air 2, offering fewer additional charges, the longer battery life of the earpieces compensates.
Verdict: A Solid Upgrade, But Competition Remains Strong
The Realme Buds Air 3 lives up to the brand’s reputation for delivering value-for-money products. The improvements in sound quality, ANC performance, compactness, and features like multi-point connectivity make it a compelling choice for those seeking a TWS headset under Rs. 5,000.
However, the sound quality and ANC performance, while decent for the price, fall short of the standard set by newer offerings like the Oppo Enco Air 2 Pro and OnePlus Buds Z2. While the Buds Air 3 is a solid choice in this price range, its competitors offer a more premium audio experience and superior ANC. Consider your priorities and budget carefully before making your choice.
Ultimately, the Buds Air 3 represents a significant upgrade over its predecessor and is a worthy contender in the affordable TWS earphones market. However, it faces stiff competition from other top-performing budget TWS headsets, making it necessary to carefully weigh the pros and cons before deciding if it’s the right fit for you.
