The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 have burst onto the audio scene, promising exceptional sound and thoughtful design at an attractive price point. With substantial upgrades over their predecessors, these earbuds have generated quite the buzz among tech enthusiasts.
Launched on August 20, the Buds Pro 3 quickly captured attention with their competitive pricing. They retail for about ₹11,999 ($143) in India and debut at $149 in North America, with promotional discounts bringing the price down to $119 during their initial sales period.
From the outset, OnePlus has been known for delivering quality audio products, and the Buds Pro 3 represent their most ambitious endeavor yet. These earbuds are engineered with dual audio drivers—an 11mm woofer and 6mm tweeter optimized through collaboration with Dynaudio, achieving remarkable sound accuracy and depth.
A significant enhancement from previous models is the refined tuning, which has moved away from overwhelming bass. The focus now is on achieving a balanced and versatile sound profile, suitable for various music genres, marking the Buds Pro 3 as one of the brand's standout audio devices.
A night-and-day difference is evident when contrasting with older models, which often emphasized deep bass over clarity. With improved audio fidelity, users can enjoy not only pulsing low frequencies but clear mid and high ranges as well, making listening more enjoyable and immersive.
The physical design of the Buds Pro 3 has also seen subtle yet effective updates. OnePlus opted for glossy accents running along the entire stalk and driver housing, lending the earbuds a more modern and sleek look.
Despite being slightly heavier than the Buds Pro 2 at 5.28g each, they remain lightweight and comfortable for extended use. Available in two colors—Midnight Opus and Lunar Radiance—the new series caters to varied tastes, but the glossy finish might not be ideal for those who prioritize practicality over aesthetics.
Using four different ear tip sizes provided, including the medium tips fitted as defaults, reinforces the earbuds' snug fit. Users can expect them to stay secure even during rigorous activities such as workouts, ensuring maximum comfort and usability.
Moving on to their charging case, OnePlus has opted for faux leather construction for the Buds Pro 3's case, steering away from traditional plastic models. This design choice not only gives the case a premium feel but also adds notable size, making it potentially less portable than previous iterations.
OnePlus has introduced grooved textures on the bottom of the earbud stalks to improve gesture controls. This ergonomic tweak helps distinguish touch areas, making controls for volume and playback more intuitive, though some users may find sliding gestures to be finicky.
Water and dust resistance is another feather in the cap of the Buds Pro 3. With IP55 rating, they are poised to handle workouts and outdoor conditions, though users should keep the case dry since it's not similarly protected.
Among the most exciting features is adaptive active noise cancellation (ANC) capable of blocking out up to 50dB of external sound. This functionality allows users to customize noise isolation levels, aiding immersion, especially during commutes or busy environments.
Spatial audio capabilities have also been improved with Google's technology now being standard across devices. This is especially exciting for those using multiple platforms, providing widespread compatibility unlike the previous generation, which had more limited support.
Late-night gaming sessions would not be complete without low latency either. The Buds Pro 3 have been integrated with gaming mode, significantly reducing audio lag for mobile gaming experiences, providing gamers with real-time sound synchronization.
Battery life remains impressive, offering around 10 hours of playtime before needing the case for recharging, which extends up to 43 hours with the charging case. The fast charging feature is also noteworthy, promising quick top-ups of three hours’ listening from just 10 minutes of charge time.
Despite these improvements, the absence of high-resolution codecs like AptX and LDAC is felt, especially among audiophiles who prioritize top-tier codecs for optimum sound quality. Users are limited to SBC and AAC, which may disappoint some seeking high-fidelity streaming.
Nevertheless, the Buds Pro 3 have been praised for their exceptional sound quality, clear and defined across all genres. With enriched bass and clear mids and highs, it’s safe to say these earbuds deliver some of the best audio within their price range.
Users excited for high-quality audio without breaking the bank have found their match with the OnePlus Buds Pro 3. Overall, they embody significant enhancements over previous offerings and stand out within the ever-competitive audio market.
Whether users are commuting, working out, or enjoying some downtime, the Buds Pro 3 offer versatility and reliability. With such comprehensive features packed within stylish design at reasonable prices, they’ve positioned themselves strongly against competitors.
With OnePlus making strides not just with improvements but also with competitive pricing strategies, the new Buds Pro 3 may very well redefine what consumers expect from true wireless earbuds.
