OnePlus Buds 3 Pro review: The return of the flagship killer

OnePlus Buds Pro 3

“You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need…” Mick Jagger’s inimitable crooning about life’s little ironies -- in The Rolling Stones' track "You Can't Get What You Want" -- could easily be the soundtrack to today’s audio accessory shopping experience.

There’s literally a sea of earbuds out there with the market steering with too many options. Picking the right option is a rather tricky business. Almost everyone has a set template of claims — great sound, sleek design, long battery life and whatnot.

In such a crowded market, it is a challenge for almost any brand and its earbuds to really stand out. Sure, you can be one of the many ‘good’ options but to stand out, you have to offer something special. The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 actually manage to do that.

Priced at Rs 11,999, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 can give any earbuds a run for their money. Read our review to find out more:

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review: Design

The OnePlus Bud Pro 3 come in faux-leather case in two colour options — black and white. The case looks premium and more importantly doesn’t suffer from an AirPods hangover. The pebble-shaped design is quite eye-catching and the case fits easily into your pocket. The case also has a tactile grip and the finish is quite elegant.

If the case doesn’t have an AirPods hangover, then the earbuds are certainly inspired by the AirPods Pro design. However, it still is different as the plastic construction is enhanced by a neat metallic finish on the stems. The OnePlus Buds 3 Pro look quite sophisticated. There’s Dynaudio branding, which is subtly etched onto the rear of the case.

The design of any true wireless earbuds isn’t limited to how they look. The fit and comfort has to be on point and the Buds Pro 3 deliver on that front. Like with any earbuds, it takes a little time to get used but once you’re set the Buds 3 Pro provide a secure and comfortable listening experience. The stem-design earbuds are comfortable to wear for hours and I didn’t feel any ear fatigue even after hours of continuous listening. Even while brisk walking and light jogs, the earbuds stay in place and there’s no fear of them falling out.

OnePlus has added touch controls into the stems — which can be customised through the Hey Melody app — and they are quite responsive. A swipe up and down can adjust the volume and you can trigger ANC as well through the stem controls.

OnePlus Buds 3 Pro review: Audio quality, ANC

Now there are people who pick up true wireless earbuds for calls but the primary purpose is to enjoy listening to music. And the OnePlus Buds 3 Pro are a true delight for that. Rarely you come across a pair of true wireless earbuds — especially in this price segment — that sound great at almost every genre of music.

Take the case of Elton John’s “Crocodile Rock” which is full of energy. On the OnePlus Buds 3 Pro, the bass is punchy but never overwhelming. An upbeat track feels vibrant and fun on the OnePlus Buds 3 Pro — just like it should. The mids are on point and bring out the melody so clearly.

Coldplay’s “Fix You” capture the depth of Chris Martin’s vocals. On the OnePlus Buds 3 Pro, the soundstage opens up dramatically and the subtle nuances of Martin’s vocals sound so good. The treble is balanced whereas the highs are crisp and rarely harsh.

Prateek Kuhad and Ankur Tewari’s duet “Dil Beparvah” is another example of how good the OnePlus Buds 3 Pro sound. The instrument separation is handled immaculately and you can really appreciate every strum and beat. The song sounds really rich and textured — as it should — on the OnePlus Buds 3 Pro.

Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" is another great example of how well the OnePlus Buds 3 Pro can handle rather complex soundscapes. The delicate nuances of guitar solos and the overall expansive atmosphere of Pink Floyd’s iconic song are captured delightfully well on the OnePlus Buds 3 Pro.

The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 are powered by dual drivers (11mm woofer and 6mm tweeter) and come tuned by Dynaudio. In a lot of sense, they sound similar to Oppo Enco 3 but in my opinion, OnePlus Buds 3 Pro offer better signature sound.

The Hey Melody app has a lot of equaliser presets, including ones that can be changed according to the kind of music you are listening to. They work really well and you can hear the soundscape changing with each one of them.

Noise cancellation is another area where the Buds Pro 3 do quite a good job. Not on the same level as AirPods Pro’s gold standard — there’s a considerable price different to be fair — but they offer impressive performance at a significantly lower price point. The adaptive noise cancellation technology adjusts to your environment and works quite well.

In terms of battery, there is a 58mAh battery in each earbud and a 566mAh charging case. Combine they claim to provide up to 43 hours of playback time (with ANC off). The battery life is really good and lives up to OnePlus’ claims.

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review: Verdict

In a sense, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 re the quintessential OnePlus product — the flagship killer. The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 prove that you don't need to break the bank to enjoy flagship-level technology. The Buds Pro 3 are an excellent competitive alternative to the AirPods Pro 2 at less than half the price.

Not just the AirPods but the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 can give most TWS earbuds out there a lot to think about. They offer excellent audio quality, a captivating soundstage and impressive active noise cancellation.