Key Highlights
- 50dB ANC
- 11mm woofer, 6mm tweeter
- Hi-Resolution audio
- Dual drivers
- Spatial audio
- Google Fast Pair
- Sound quality co-tuned by Dynaudio
Picture this: you are getting ready for a morning walk. Your favorite songs are lined up. But something is missing. That’s right, your earbuds. Well for me, earbuds are more than just an accessory. They are an essential part of my daily routine. Whether I am travelling through the crowded metro, taking an evening stroll, or simply tuning out the world, a good pair of earbuds are non-negotiable. And to be honest, when it comes to selecting the right pair, I am quite picky. However, there is one brand that never fails to catch my attention, and that is OnePlus.
OnePlus have consistently impressed me with their devices, especially in the audio segment. So, when the recently launched OnePlus Buds Pro 3 dropped, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on them. After using them for few weeks, I am here to share my experience. Let’s just know if its all about the hype or have joined my new favorite list.
Also Read | OnePlus Buds Pro 2 Review: Hitting The Right Notes?
| Pros | Cons |
| New and stylish design | No high-res codec support |
| Supports dual connectivity | No Bluetooth LE audio support |
| Good audio performance | Average mid-range clarity |
| Effective ANC |
What’s Inside The Box?
- OnePlus Buds Pro 3 (Black)
- Charge Cable
- Four Pair Of Eartips
- User Guide
- Red Cable Club Welcome Card
Design
The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 features a design that is both luxurious and minimalist. They have a pebble stone form factor and a two-tone design. It combines a leathery texture on the front and back along with a metallic finish on the sides. However, the case is not made from real vegan leather but rather hard plastic textured just to mimic the appearance of leather. Once you hold the case, you will get to realize it’s just a plastic.
The front and back of the case have the logos of OnePlus and Dynaudio, respectively. On the bottom, there is a charging port accompanied by an LED light for charging status. On the right, you will see the pairing button. Once you open the case, there’s two earbuds and another LED for pairing status.
The earbuds are compact yet spacious enough to fit-in serious drivers. They come pre-fitted with medium-sized silicone tips. Personally, I found the fit perfect, and the earbuds didn’t cause any discomfort, even after extended use. But for those who find the earbuds too big or too small, OnePlus includes three additional pairs of ear tips in the retail box, i.e., extra small, small, and large.
Each earbud has a rounded stem and a dual-tone finish. The stem features a unique slide function, with the designated slide area marked by tiny horizontal lines towards the front of the stem. I must say it is really a thoughtful design so that you can easily locate the slide area without fumbling.
The device is available in two classic shades: Lunar Radiance and Midnight Opus. I have got the latter one for the review, which looks elegant. Additionally, the earbuds come with an IP55 rating. This makes them resistant to heavy sweating during workouts or outdoor activities. The case does not carry an IP rating.
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Sound Performance
OnePlus has continued its collaboration with Danish audio company Dynaudio for a rich and immersive audio experience. The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 is equipped with an 11mm woofer and a 6mm tweeter setup. The ANC on these buds reaches a depth of 50dB, and it does effectively block out unwanted noise.
These buds are made for audio lovers, and they did not disappoint me at all. I really enjoyed the Spatial Audio feature while streaming my favorite songs on various music apps. The balance between highs and lows is well-managed. The bass is punchy and delivers a solid output with great clarity. However, the mid-range sound can sometimes lack clarity.
The ANC is particularly impressive as it adjusts automatically based on your surroundings. Whether you are stuck in noisy traffic or trying to focus in a lively office, the ANC adapts seamlessly.
Each earbud features three microphones and a Voice Pickup sensor that enhances the call quality. This uplifts the clarity of your voice during calls. The voice is clear and loud enough for the receiver to hear with decent clarity.
However, there are a couple of drawbacks. The Buds Pro 3 lacks support for high-res codecs like AptX or LDAC. And it is a letdown for audiophiles. Additionally, there’s no support for Bluetooth LE audio or LC3.
Overall, the sound experience I got on the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 is balanced and detailed. Through the HeyMelody app, you can access a six-band customizable equalizer. This allows you to fine-tune the sound to your preference. The earbuds also come with five Dynaudio-backed EQ presets, that is, Balanced, Bold, Serenade, Bass, and Dynaudio featured. The last preset aims to reproduce the sound of Dynaudio speakers for balanced bass, mids, and treble. While I am not completely sure if it achieves that or not, the sound is nonetheless pleasant and enjoyable.
Connectivity And Pairing
The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 comes with Bluetooth 5.4 and support Google Fast Pairing. One standout feature is its dual connectivity. It allows you to pair the earbuds with two devices simultaneously. I personally found this feature super convenient as I keep switching between my phone and laptop.
On a positive note, pairing the earbuds was super easy. I paired them with my iPhone without a struggle, and the process was smooth and quick. You can also pair the earbuds using the HeyMelody app, available on both Android and iOS. The app provides a lot of control and customization options as well. During my usage, the connection remained stable even as I walked around the room. This stability is a definite plus.
| Function | Left | Right |
| Play/Pause, Answer/End calls | Press | Press |
| Next track/Reject call | Double-press | Double-press |
| Previous track | Three-press | Three-press |
| ANC/Transparent mode | Press and hold for 1 second | Press and hold for 1 second |
| Increase Volume | Slide up | Slide up |
| Decrease Volume | Slide down | Slide down |
Battery Life
When it comes to battery life, each bud houses a 58mAh cell and the case has a 566mAh battery capacity. One can easily get up to 10 hours of playtime with full charge.
In my experience, I managed to get over 40 hours of total playback time from the earbuds without ANC, which is quite impressive. And with ANC turned on, the playback time reached about 25 hours. But I was still very pleased with the performance. When using the lossless LHDC codec with Smart ANC mode enabled and the volume set to over 60-70 percent, the earbuds, along with the case, provided a runtime of over 20 hours.
Now coming to the charging part, it takes over one hour to completely charge from 0 to 100 percent through wired charging process. Beside that, the device also supports wireless charging.
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Giznext’s Final Verdict
At Rs. 11,999, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 stands out as one of the best earphones you can buy if you are looking to up your audio experience. It has an elegant design, comfortable fit, and a great battery life. The ANC, good microphone quality, and great latency performance make it a well-rounded package. For the price, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 delivers all the key features that make it a winner.
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