OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro: Elevating TWS Experience with Stylish Design and Impressive Sound

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds were introduced alongside the OnePlus Nord 4 on Tuesday. They feature active noise cancellation (ANC) of up to 49dB, support dual device connectivity, and offer customizable equalizer settings. With a battery lifespan reaching up to 44 hours, including the charging case, these earbuds also have an IP55 rating for protection against dust and splashes. They are compatible with the Hey Melody application and include a three-microphone system for improved call clarity.

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro Design and Features: Elegant, dual-tone finish

• Dimensions — 29.99 x 20.30 x 23.87mm (Buds); 66.60 x 51.24 x 24.83mm (Case)
• Weight — 4.4g (Each bud); 38.2g (Case)
• Resistance to water and dust — IP55 (Buds only)
• Available Colors — Soft Jade, Starry Black

The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro earbuds adopt a conventional in-ear design and come with silicone tips in three sizes — S, M, and L. The medium size fit me quite well. The lower part of the stem is thicker, providing a better grip when wearing or adjusting the earbuds. Touch controls are positioned on the upper, slimmer section of the stem, which contains a pronounced, elongated indentation. This design choice makes it easier for users to find the touch control area.

The in-ear design of the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro ensures comfortable wear

The charging case for the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro features a dual-tone design that exudes a premium feel. Although two color options are available, I received the review unit in the Soft Jade variant. The top of the pebble-like case has a shiny green finish, while the remaining body is a lighter green adorned with small, scattered white spots, reminiscent of an unrefined jade stone. Both the case and earbuds are lightweight and easy to transport.

The case is equipped with a USB Type-C charging port located at the bottom. Additionally, there is a button next to the port that facilitates connecting to a second device. A small LED indicator is found on the front of the case, beneath the branding, to show the battery status of the earbuds. Each earbud, rated at IP55, has charging connectors at the bottom of their stems to avoid any direct skin contact.

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro App and Specifications: User-friendly, efficient

• Driver — 12.4mm dynamic driver
• Companion App — Hey Melody
• Gesture controls — Yes

The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro are compatible with the Hey Melody app, which has a user-friendly design. The first screen displays the battery percentage for both the earbuds and charging case (when opened). Following this are the various noise cancellation modes: Noise Cancellation, Off, and Transparency.

Selecting the first mode allows users to adjust the intensity of noise cancellation from another section—Mild, Moderate, Max, and Smart. The first three options are self-explanatory and can be tailored to suit individual preferences regarding their environment. The ‘Smart’ mode automatically determines the optimal level of noise cancellation based on surrounding disturbances.

The Hey Melody app is simple to navigate and utilize

These functionalities are complemented by a Personalized noise cancellation feature, which adjusts settings based on the shape of your ear canal and the fit of the earbuds. Activating this feature requires you to toggle it on and wait while the earbuds conduct a brief test. However, I did not notice any significant difference in the ANC capabilities when using this feature.

Through the app, you can also adjust touch controls and customize equalization settings, with several EQ presets available, as discussed in the next section. A special low-latency Game Mode ensures a smooth, lag-free gaming and audio-visual experience, and the earbuds support dual connectivity, allowing simultaneous connections to two devices.

The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro features 12.4mm dynamic drivers and a three-microphone setup. They provide ANC of up to 49dB and a total battery life of up to 44 hours. The charging case is equipped with a 440mAh battery, while each earbud contains a 58mAh battery. The earbuds are rated IP55 for dust and water resistance. The charging case does not have any such rating and supports USB Type-C charging. These earbuds are compatible with Google Fast Pair, use Bluetooth 5.4, and support SBC and AAC audio codecs.

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro is distinguished by its outstanding battery longevity

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro Performance and Battery Life: Powerful bass, robust battery

• ANC — 49dB
• Battery — 58mAh (Bud), 440mAh (Case)
• Fast Charging — Yes (claimed 10 minutes for up to 11 hours)
• Bluetooth — v5.4

The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro allows users to select from three primary noise cancellation modes: on, off, and transparency. Transparency mode permits some ambient noise to filter through, while ANC on mode can be further categorized into three intensity levels — mild, moderate, and max. The highest ANC intensity provides decent noise isolation but still allows some low-frequency sounds, such as the hum of a fan. Nonetheless, it successfully blocks out common noises like conversations or kitchen appliances without excessive pressure on the ears.

The auditory experience of the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro leans heavily towards bass, making them great for vibrant, energetic tracks, but the finer details in the mids and highs can often sound compressed. The Hey Melody app presents users with three presets in addition to a six-band customizable equalizer — Balanced, Serenade, and Bass. There’s also a specially designed BassWave mode for an enhanced bass output.

The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro earbuds and their charging case are lightweight and portable

In terms of connectivity, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro supports dual device connections and features Google Fast Pair. They establish a seamless connection with two devices simultaneously—like a smartphone and a laptop in my situation—offering a nearly lag-free interaction. These earbuds do not support lossless audio codecs, providing SBC and AAC connectivity via Bluetooth 5.4. However, within this price range and the corresponding features, this decision is understandable for manufacturers of audio products.

The three-microphone system augmented by noise cancellation equips the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro users with a distinctly clear calling experience. Even in busy environments, such as crowded shops, voices remain intelligible.

The remarkable battery life of the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro stands out as a key feature. Without ANC, they are claimed to provide a battery lifespan of up to 44 hours on a single charge when paired with the charging case. The earbuds can last up to 12 hours without ANC on a single charge, while the playback time with ANC in Max mode reduces to about six hours.

Furthermore, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro supports rapid charging, allowing for up to 11 hours of usage with only a 10-minute charge, at 50 percent volume without ANC. The case supports USB Type-C for wired charging.

The broader base of the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro stem provides improved grip

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro: Conclusion

Priced at Rs. 3,299, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro serve as an excellent choice for budget-friendly TWS earbuds for casual use, particularly if you appreciate a bass-centric audio experience. Their fashionable design and comfortable fit contribute significantly to their appeal, as does the battery performance. If you prefer not to constantly charge your devices, these earbuds may be ideal for you, offering up to two days of use without ANC on a single charge, depending on usage.

For those with a slightly higher budget, consider the CMF Buds Pro 2, which reportedly provide up to 43 hours of total battery life and 50dB of ANC. They offer a more detailed sound profile due to their dual-driver setup, featuring an 11mm bass driver and a 6mm micro planar tweeter. Additionally, the companion Nothing X app offers ChatGPT integration for these earbuds. They are currently available in India for Rs. 4,299.