The wireless earbud market has grown exponentially over the past few years, with numerous brands vying for a share of the pie. OnePlus, known for its premium smartphones, has ventured into the audio segment, and the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 is their latest attempt at capturing the mid-range market. With the Nord Buds 3, OnePlus aims to deliver premium audio quality, effective noise cancellation, and robust battery life at a reasonable price.
These earbuds are designed for consumers who seek a balanced combination of style, functionality, and affordability. Whether you’re a casual listener or a power user, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 promises to cater to various audio needs, making it a compelling option.
Design and Build Quality
OnePlus has always been known for its sleek and minimalistic designs, and the Nord Buds 3 are no exception. They feature a compact, in-ear design with a matte finish, making them aesthetically pleasing and modern. Available in multiple color options—Black Slate, White Mist, and a unique Aqua Marine—the earbuds are both stylish and practical.
The build quality is solid, with the earbuds feeling sturdy but not heavy. The charging case is compact, easily fitting into pockets, and it has a soft-touch matte finish that resists fingerprints and scratches. The case also comes with a satisfying magnetic lid that snaps shut securely, ensuring the earbuds stay in place.
Design Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Earbud Weight | 4.1 grams per earbud |
| Case Dimensions | 60 x 40 x 25 mm |
| Material | Matte Plastic |
| Available Colors | Black Slate, White Mist, Aqua Marine |
| LED Indicators | Battery Status and Connectivity |
| Water Resistance | IP55 for Earbuds, IPX4 for Case |
Comfort and Fit
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 are designed to provide a snug and secure fit. With three different sizes of silicone ear tips included in the box, users can choose the size that best suits their ears, ensuring comfort even during extended use. The ergonomic design ensures that the earbuds sit comfortably in the ear canal without causing any discomfort or pressure.
Whether you’re using them for casual music listening or high-intensity workouts, the fit remains secure. The lightweight design further enhances comfort, making it feel like you’re barely wearing anything at all.
Audio Quality
The true strength of the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 lies in its audio performance. Equipped with 12.4mm dynamic drivers, these earbuds deliver a balanced and immersive sound experience. Whether you’re listening to bass-heavy tracks, acoustic melodies, or podcasts, the audio output is consistently clear and rich.
Bass
The Nord Buds 3 offers impressive bass response, thanks to its large drivers. The low frequencies are punchy and powerful, making these earbuds ideal for genres like hip-hop, EDM, and pop. The bass doesn’t overpower the rest of the frequencies, maintaining a balanced sound signature.
Mids
The midrange frequencies are well-represented in the OnePlus Nord Buds 3. Vocals and instruments sound natural and clear, ensuring that details are preserved even in complex tracks. Whether it’s a podcast or a classical symphony, the mids shine without being overshadowed by the bass.
Treble
The treble frequencies are crisp and bright, without being harsh or sibilant. This ensures that high-pitched sounds, such as cymbals and strings, are reproduced with clarity. The Nord Buds 3 delivers a well-rounded listening experience that caters to a wide range of musical preferences.
Noise Isolation
Even without Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 provides decent passive noise isolation. The snug fit helps block out ambient noise, making it easier to focus on your music. However, for noisier environments, the addition of ANC (detailed below) proves to be a game-changer.
Features
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
One of the standout features of the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 is its Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology. With up to 40dB of noise reduction, the ANC effectively blocks out background noise, allowing you to enjoy your music or podcasts without distractions. Whether you’re commuting, working in a noisy environment, or traveling, ANC ensures a more immersive listening experience.
Transparency Mode
In contrast to ANC, the transparency mode allows you to stay aware of your surroundings while listening to music. This is particularly useful when walking on busy streets or engaging in conversations without needing to remove the earbuds.
Touch Controls
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 features intuitive touch controls on the earbuds, allowing users to play/pause music, skip tracks, adjust volume, and answer/reject calls with a simple tap. The touch sensitivity is responsive, and the controls can be customized via the OnePlus app.
Customization via OnePlus App
The OnePlus app enhances the user experience by offering several customization options. You can tweak the sound profile, adjust ANC levels, and configure the touch controls. Additionally, firmware updates can be easily applied through the app, ensuring your earbuds always perform at their best.
Feature Breakdown
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancellation | Up to 40dB Noise Reduction |
| Transparency Mode | Yes |
| Touch Controls | Play/Pause, Skip, Volume, Calls |
| Customization | OnePlus App for Sound Profile, Controls |
| Firmware Updates | Yes, via OnePlus App |
Battery Life
Battery life is a critical aspect of any wireless earbud, and the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 excels in this department. With the earbuds offering up to 7 hours of playback on a single charge (without ANC), and the charging case providing an additional 30 hours, users can enjoy an impressive 43 hours of total playback time.
Earbuds
When ANC is enabled, the battery life drops slightly to around 5.5 hours, but this is still sufficient for most users’ daily needs.
Charging Case
The compact charging case holds enough power to recharge the earbuds multiple times, making it convenient for users on the go. A quick 10-minute charge provides up to 5 hours of playback time, thanks to OnePlus’ fast-charging technology.
Battery Performance
| Component | Battery Life (without ANC) | Battery Life (with ANC) | Quick Charge (10 min) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earbuds | Up to 7 hours | Up to 5.5 hours | 5 hours |
| Charging Case | Additional 30 hours | Additional 24 hours | 10 hours |
Connectivity and Pairing
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 comes with Bluetooth 5.3 technology, offering faster, more stable connections with minimal latency. Pairing the earbuds with your device is seamless and hassle-free, thanks to the instant pairing feature.
Bluetooth 5.3
The Bluetooth 5.3 standard ensures a reliable connection with minimal dropouts. It also improves energy efficiency, contributing to the excellent battery life of the Nord Buds 3. The range is impressive, allowing users to move freely without experiencing connection issues.
Multipoint Connection
A standout feature of the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 is its support for multipoint connection. This allows you to connect the earbuds to two devices simultaneously, such as a smartphone and a laptop, and seamlessly switch between them. This feature is particularly useful for professionals who need to juggle multiple devices.
Durability and Water Resistance
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 are built to withstand daily wear and tear. With an IP55 rating for water and dust resistance, the earbuds are suitable for use during workouts and in light rain. The charging case, while not as robust as the earbuds, has an IPX4 rating, providing some level of splash resistance.
Durability and Resistance
| Component | Water Resistance Rating | Dust Resistance Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Earbuds | IP55 | Yes |
| Charging Case | IPX4 | No |
Gaming Mode and Latency
For gamers, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 includes a dedicated gaming mode that reduces latency to as low as 90ms. This ensures that audio and visuals remain synchronized during gameplay, providing a more immersive experience. While not as advanced as some gaming-specific earbuds, the Nord Buds 3 offers a decent performance for casual mobile gamers.
Call Quality
The call quality on the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 is commendable, thanks to the four built-in microphones that feature noise-reduction algorithms. The microphones effectively filter out background noise, ensuring that your voice is clear even in noisy environments.
Microphone Performance
During phone calls, the earbuds consistently delivered clear audio to the recipient. The wind noise reduction feature also works well, making it easier to take calls outdoors.
Comparison with Competitors
When placed side by side with competitors like the OnePlus Nord Buds 2, Realme Buds Air 3, and Samsung Galaxy Buds 2, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 holds its own with its superior audio quality, noise cancellation, and battery life.
Competitor Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus Nord Buds 3 | OnePlus Nord Buds 2 | Realme Buds Air 3 | Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANC | Up to 40dB | No ANC | Up to 35dB | Up to 30dB |
| Battery Life (Earbuds) | 7 hours (no ANC) | 6 hours | 5 hours | 5 hours |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.2 | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Water Resistance | IP55 | IPX4 | IP54 | IPX2 |
| Price | $79.99 | $59.99 | $69.99 | $99.99 |
Price and Value
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 is priced competitively at around $79.99, making it an excellent value-for-money product. Given its feature set, including ANC, transparency mode, and robust battery life, the Nord Buds 3 offers a premium experience at a budget-friendly price point.
User Experience
Overall, the user experience of the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 is positive. From the seamless pairing process to the customizable sound profiles, users will appreciate the level of control and personalization offered. The earbuds work especially well with OnePlus smartphones, with enhanced integration features like automatic pairing and quick settings for sound modes.
OnePlus Ecosystem Integration
If you own other OnePlus devices, the Nord Buds 3 becomes even more valuable, as it integrates smoothly into the OnePlus ecosystem. The fast pairing and seamless switching between devices make it a convenient choice for OnePlus users.
Compatibility with Other Devices
Despite being optimized for OnePlus devices, the Nord Buds 3 is fully compatible with a wide range of Android and iOS devices, offering a universal experience across platforms.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent audio quality with rich bass
- Effective ANC and transparency mode
- Impressive battery life with fast charging
- Comfortable fit and lightweight design
- Competitive pricing
- IP55 water and dust resistance
Cons:
- Lacks wireless charging for the case
- Limited codec support (no LDAC)
- Gaming mode could be further optimized for lower latency
Final Verdict
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 is an excellent pair of wireless earbuds that strikes a perfect balance between performance, features, and price. With features like Active Noise Cancellation, customizable sound profiles, long battery life, and seamless connectivity, it caters to both casual listeners and audiophiles alike. Whether you’re a OnePlus user or not, the Nord Buds 3 offers exceptional value, making it a solid choice in the mid-range wireless earbud market.
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