Key Highlights
- Up to 32dB ANC
- 12.4mm Extra-large Driver
- BassWaveTM 2.0
- Up to 43 hours listening time
- Certified by TÜV Rheinland for battery health
- Bluetooth 5.4 + dual connection
I have always been a fan of OnePlus’ Nord series. Why? Well because it offers quality features in budget-friendly price. And now, they have done it again with the Nord Buds 3. I moment I hit the play button on my favorite playlists, these buds gave me that “wow” factor. So, if you are like me who always look for that perfect balance between performance and affordability, the you stick around through this and see what makes these buds a worth buy.
Also Read | OnePlus Buds Pro 3 Review: Will Their Features Make You Ditch Your Old Pair?
| Pros | Cons |
| Impressive ANC | Limited non-OnePlus devices customization |
| Long battery life | Bass dominance |
| Comfortable fit | Manual EQ adjustment |
| Dual connection | |
| Certified battery health |
What’s Inside The Box?
- OnePlus Nord Buds 3 (Melodic White)
- Type-C Charging Cable
- Brand Sticker
- Silicone earplugs (large, medium, small)
- User Guide and Safety and Warranty
Design
When it comes to design, OnePlus has once again nailed it. The charging case of OnePlus Nord Buds 3 has a pebble-like shape which I think looks premium. I received the Melodic White variant as my review unit. It is lightweight and portable, making it easy to carry around. At the bottom of the case, there is a USB Type-C port for quick charging. You will also see a small button next to it that allows you to connect a second device. The LED light at the front shows the battery status at a glance.
Now if we talk about the earbuds, they follow a traditional in-ear design with silicone tips in three sizes, that is, Small, Medium, and Large. I found the medium size to be a perfect fit and felt no discomfort even after a long usage. You will see the L and R symbols on the respective earbuds that double as vents for the drivers. Their broader stem provides a firm grip. The clear indentation on the stem makes it simple to find the touch buttons. Overall, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 are lightweight, compact, and comfortable to wear.
Audio Performance
The 12.4mm extra-large drivers and OnePlus’ BassWave 2.0 technology are included with the OnePlus Nord Buds 3. You will get deep, powerful bass if, like me, you are a bass enthusiast. I like music with a lot of bass, so I was happy to hear the low-end punch. However, in some genres, the bass can feel a bit too dominant and overshadows the highs and mids.
But if you want even more, the BassWave Enhancement 2.0 lets you manually boost the bass to your liking. For those who prefer more balance, there are four EQ presets, that is, Balanced, Serenade, and Bass. Also, you can create a custom EQ to tweak the sound to your preference.
OnePlus 3D Audio is available on select OnePlus devices, including models like the OnePlus 11, OnePlus 12, and Nord 4.
Also Read | OnePlus Nord Buds Review: Fairs The Competitions?
ANC And Call Quality
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 offers solid ANC for its price. With 32dB ANC, it blocks out ambient noise. It also provides you with Transparency mode. This allows you to hear ambient sounds when needed, such as crossing the street or honking. It even turns on automatically when you remove one earbud, which I think is great for quick interactions.
As for call quality, the AI-powered noise reduction and dual ENC microphones perform well. During outdoor calls, wind noise was completely eliminated for the receiver, though faint traffic sounds were still audible. Overall, it handles everyday noise effectively.
Connectivity And Pairing
Connecting devices to the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 is quite simple. For OnePlus smartphone users, you just have to on your Bluetooth, open the charging case near your phone, and follow the instructions. For non-OnePlus devices, you can easily pair by putting the earbuds in the charging case, then press the setup button for 2 seconds, and select the Nord Buds 3 in your Bluetooth settings. Fast Pairing works effortlessly on Android devices. You will need the case to rejoin, though, as the phone pairs with the case rather than the buds directly.
If we talk about the dual connection feature, it is quite convenient to use. It let me connect to two devices simultaneously and switching between them is super easy. If you are using a OnePlus or Realme phone, you can customize controls directly from the settings. For other devices, the HeyMelody app on Android and iOS gets the job done.
Controls
| Function | Left earphone | Right earphone |
| Play or Pause | One tap | One tap |
| Answer or Hang up calls | Two tap | Two tap |
| Next track | Two tap | Two tap |
| Previous track | Triple tap | Triple tap |
| ANC or Transparent mode | Press and hold for one second | Press and hold for one second |
Battery
To be frank, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 truly shines in the department. I enjoyed over 11-12 hours of playback without ANC on a single charge. If paired with the charging case, that number skyrocketed to an impressive 43 hours, which I think is among the best in its class. Also, the fast-charging feature is a lifesaver. I charged it for just 10-12 minutes and got 10 extra hours of playback. This is just perfect for when I was in a rush or on the go.
What sets these earbuds apart is their TÜV Rheinland Battery Health certification. Even after 1,000 charging cycles, the battery retains 80 percent of its original capacity.
Also Read | OnePlus Buds Pro 2 Review: Hitting The Right Notes?
Giznext’s Final Verdict
For the price of Rs. 1,899, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 offers good sound quality, solid ANC, and a comfortable design. This is undoubtedly a great value-for-money option. While it may lack some advanced features found in pricier models, it delivers well on the essentials, especially for bass lovers and casual users.
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