OnePlus Buds Pro 3 – A Fresh Take on Premium Earbuds

The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 are the newest addition to OnePlus’s line of earbuds, following the success of the OnePlus Buds Pro and Pro 2. These new earbuds come with a completely different design and some new features that set them apart from their predecessors. Let’s dive into a detailed review of what the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 have to offer.

A Fresh New Design

The first thing you notice about the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 is their different design. Unlike the older versions, which had a more rectangular shape, the Buds Pro 3 have an oval shape. The case has a dual-tone design, with a faux leather texture that gives it a premium look. While the leather texture may not feel as soft as on some phones, it still adds a classy appearance to the buds.

The OnePlus logo is engraved on the case, and you’ll also find the Dynaudio branding. The case is compact, not too heavy, and supports wireless charging. One quirky feature is that the case charges with the OnePlus logo facing down, which might seem odd to some users.

The earbuds themselves have a sleek look, with chrome accents that extend to the top. This design choice does make them a bit of a fingerprint magnet, but they still manage to look stylish. The left and right earbuds are clearly marked, and there’s a new pattern that helps guide your touch for controlling volume and other functions.

Comfortable Fit and Controls

The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 are designed for comfort. They fit snugly in your ears and won’t fall out even during intense activities. You can find extra ear tips in the box, so you can choose the best fit for your ears. The earbuds use a pinch or squeeze style control, which is more accurate than touch controls, and all the controls can be customized.

They are also IP55-rated, meaning they’re resistant to dust and water, making them a good choice for workouts or outdoor use.

Impressive Sound Quality

OnePlus promises top-notch sound with the Buds Pro 3, and they deliver. The sound quality is more balanced and premium compared to the previous models, which some users felt had too much bass. These earbuds offer a good balance of bass and treble, with clearer high frequencies that give the audio a richer feel.

The Buds Pro 3 come with improved dual drivers, dual DACs, and Dynaudio tuning. They also support high-res audio with LDAC, which further enhances sound quality, especially when listening to lossless tracks on platforms like Apple Music.

For those who like to fine-tune their audio, there are multiple EQ options, some co-created with Dynaudio. The BassWave feature boosts bass dynamically, no matter what EQ setting you use. There’s also a Golden Sound feature for personalized audio, which makes a noticeable difference.

Noise Cancellation and Other Features

The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 offer Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) that can reduce noise by up to 50 dB. The ANC works well, especially in noisy environments, but it can create a studio-like effect in already quiet places. The adaptive ANC option adjusts noise cancellation based on your surroundings, making it more comfortable to use. There’s also a transparency mode that lets you hear your surroundings without taking off the earbuds.

One feature that’s missing is voice-aware ANC, which would automatically switch to transparency mode when you start talking. This could be a downside for some users.

The Buds Pro 3 also come with three mics on each earbud, and the microphone quality is a significant improvement over previous models. They work well for calls, even in noisy environments, making them a good choice for those who take a lot of calls on the go.

Battery Life and Connectivity

The battery life on the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 is solid. They offer up to 10 hours of playback with ANC off, which is an improvement over the previous generation. In real-world use, you can expect around 8 hours of battery life with the volume set to 80% and ANC off. The case also supports fast charging, so you won’t have to wait long to get back to listening.

The earbuds come with Google Fast Pair support and dual-device switching, which works seamlessly. You can also use the touch controls on the earbuds to take a photo, and OnePlus phone users can use the earbuds’ mics for recording videos.

Another neat feature is Zen Mode Air, which plays white noise to help you relax, and the earbuds even let you monitor your neck health by showing you the pressure on your neck and suggesting exercises.

Conclusion: A Good Upgrade?

The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 are a great all-around package. They offer a fresh design, improved sound quality, and a bunch of features that make them a worthy upgrade. While the lack of voice-aware ANC might be a drawback, the overall performance of these earbuds makes them a solid choice for anyone looking for premium wireless earbuds.