The OnePlus Nord series is designed to provide a high-quality experience to people who are typically on a tight budget. The Nord series smartphones are good-looking and pocket friendly. Now, OnePlus expanded this formula to its other product catalogue. The OnePlus Nord Buds is the first device in the ecosystem to offer decent specifications at an affordable rate. These buds are designed for those who want a premium experience under Rs. 3,000. In India, these are the company’s first TWS earbuds with the Nord branding. We’ve had the OnePlus Nord Buds for a while and here’s what we think of it.
What’s Inside The Box?
- OnePlus Nord Buds (main unit)
- USB Type-C charging cable
- Extra pair of ear tips
- User manual
Design
The OnePlus Nord Buds comes with a traditional rectangular design case which is made out of plastic and has curved edges on both sides. We have the Black color variant which feels premium. However, it is prone to scratches if you carry it in your bags or pockets. Its form factor is ergonomic and can be carried around without difficulty.
Although the case supports USB-C charging, it does not support wireless charging. The presence of a set-up button makes it easy to pair your devices quickly. An LED is also located on the front of the device that indicates charging or pairing.
Coming to the buds, they come in a Black and Silver shade that looks subtle. They feature a stem design though not very compact. They are lightweight and comfortable when you wear them.
We have used them while community in a crowded metro and during outdoor activities such as running. Thankfully, the earbuds hold on to ears without making you worried of them dropping off. It also has an IP55 water and dust resistance rating and didn’t seem to be harmed by sweating.
On the flip side, the buds come with touch-sensitive buttons on each earbud. These buttons are highly responsive and accurate. To navigate, users can use the touch-sensitive controls on each of the earbuds.
New users will find the tap motions easy for calling and music playback. Besides, OnePlus does come in three pairs of extra ear tips of different sizes. So, finding your required fit should not be a problem.
Audio Performance
Considering the affordable price, the OnePlus Nord Buds offers a good sound experience. The TWS buds have 12.4mm drivers which the brand says were designed for deeper bass and crisper, clear sound. The bass is indeed deep and hefty. However, there is enough punch to get you through peppy numbers. We thoroughly enjoyed its presence while listening to music. The Dolby Atmos support on board also contributes to its overall performance.
You can also take phone calls using the OnePlus Nord Buds and so far the experience has been good. The Buds feature four microphones to filter out the noise while taking calls. With vocals sounding clear and natural, the earbuds is just fine in the midrange. In short, the sound coming from the OnePlus Nord Buds is good, and what we expect from earbuds priced under Rs. 3,000.
Connectivity And Battery
Let’s start with the pairing section. The OnePlus Nord Buds feature SBC and AAC codecs and are Bluetooth 5.2 compliant. These earbuds connect to your Android device in the same way that any other Bluetooth accessory does.
On the case, there’s a set-up button which you have to long press to pair it from your device. Once the upfront green light changes into white, the pairing mode is on. Follow the standard connecting process on your smartphone or tablets to complete the setup process. Its Fast Pair feature, on the other hand, is limited to OnePlus smartphones only.
Connecting them to my smartphone was smooth and hassle-free process. For the fast pair feature, non-OnePlus users can download the OnePlus Melody app. This app is unavailable on iOS.
Talking about the battery, the brand claims seven hours for the buds and 30 hours overall with the charging case. The backup is close to what the company claims with moderate volume levels. They are capable of lasting a long time on a single charge. However, it also support fast charging for faster refuels. Overall, the battery life of the OnePlus Nord Buds is good for the price.
Verdict: Should You Buy The OnePlus Nord Buds?
The OnePlus Nord Buds provide a good balance of satisfactory audio performance and ease of use at a reasonable price. They are available for sale for Rs. 2,799. At a time when the TWS segment is in high demand, we strongly recommend the OnePlus Nord Buds if you are on a budget. However, there are more options on the market if you want features like multi-device connectivity and ANC. But for those who want a general earbuds that provide long battery life and good overall sound, we feel the OnePlus Nord Buds will fit the bill.
