The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro are the latest true wireless earbuds from OnePlus, aimed at budget-conscious consumers looking for a balance of features and performance. As part of the company’s more affordable Nord lineup, these earbuds promise active noise cancellation (ANC), decent battery life, and a stylish design. But how do they stack up against the competition in the crowded TWS market? Let’s dive in and find out.
Design and Comfort
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro feature a distinctive design that sets them apart from the competition. The charging case has a dual-tone finish, with a shiny green top and a lighter green body speckled with white dots, giving it a unique look reminiscent of unpolished jade. The case is lightweight and easy to carry around, with a USB-C charging port and a button for connecting to a second device.
The earbuds themselves have a short stem and an elegant flared shape, made of single-shade plastic with a mostly non-glossy finish for a clean look. However, the tiny ‘R’ and ‘L’ cut-outs on the plastic body take away from the premium feel and increase the chance of dust collection.
In terms of comfort, the medium-sized silicone ear tips provided a comfortable fit for our reviewer. The stems are wider at the bottom, offering a better grip while wearing or adjusting the earbuds. The touch controls are located on the upper, narrower part of the stem, with a distinct indentation to help users easily locate the controls.
Audio Quality and ANC
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro features a 12.4mm titanized diaphragm driver and Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity. However, the audio quality is a mixed bag. The sound is largely dominated by a wide-band bass boost, which can sound muddy and bloated.
The mid-range has a decent presence and timbre but is often overwhelmed by the bass. The upper mids and treble regions lack energy, resulting in a dark and veiled sound.
To alleviate these issues, users will need to rely on the in-app equalizer settings. Even with EQ adjustments, the sound is not especially resolving, detailed, or spacious, which is to be expected at this price point. The lack of high-resolution codec support (only SBC and AAC are available) also contributes to the limited audio performance.
On the plus side, the Nord Buds 3 Pro offer up to 49dB of hybrid active noise cancellation. The ANC takes a moment to kick in and calibrate to your surroundings, but once active, it provides good suppression of low and mid frequencies, with only higher frequencies filtering through. The transparency mode allows you to choose between on, off, and transparent settings.
Microphone and App Support
The microphone performance of the Nord Buds 3 Pro is decent, with effective background noise cancellation. However, this comes at the expense of slight voice garbling, and occasional popping artefacts may occur. Overall, the microphone is suitable for calls, but not exceptional.
Users will need to download the HeyMelody app to configure the earbuds’ settings and optimize the fit and controls. The app allows you to switch between Default, Serenade, and Bass sound modes, adjust the BassWave slider, and use the equalizer.
However, it lacks some premium features found in the OnePlus Buds Pro 3, such as the hearing test and custom audio profile.
Battery Life and Charging
One of the standout features of the Nord Buds 3 Pro is their impressive battery life. Without ANC, the earbuds can last up to 12 hours on a single charge, and the charging case extends the total playtime to 44 hours.
With ANC enabled, the earbuds’ battery life drops to around 6 hours, which is still respectable. The earbuds also support fast charging, offering up to 11 hours of battery life with just 10 minutes of charging at 50% volume. The charging case uses USB-C for wired charging.
Verdict
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro are a solid pair of budget TWS earbuds that offer a unique design, decent ANC performance, and impressive battery life. However, the audio quality is a letdown, with a muddy bass-heavy sound that requires EQ adjustments to improve. The microphone performance is average, and the app lacks some premium features.
If you have a slightly higher budget, the CMF Buds Pro 2 may be worth considering. They offer up to 43 hours of total battery life, up to 50dB of ANC, and a dual-driver system for better sound quality. The companion app also includes ChatGPT integration.
Overall, the Nord Buds 3 Pro are a decent choice for budget-conscious consumers looking for a stylish pair of TWS earbuds with good battery life and ANC. However, those seeking better audio quality may need to look elsewhere or wait for a future iteration with improved tuning.
