OnePlus recently launched the Nord Buds 3, its latest TWS earbuds with 32db ANC support and up to 43 hours of playback with the case. These earphones follow the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro, launched a few months ago. It sports a similar design with an oval-shaped case, and the two earphones come with a short stem.
Over the past few weeks, we got the chance to use the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 extensively. Let us dive into its review to find out how it performs.
OnePlus Nord Buds 3 review: Design
Starting with the case, the Nord Buds 3 comes in an oval-shaped charging case, which easily fits inside most types of pockets. It is also compact and comfortable to hold. The Melodic White colour variant that we have features a glossy finish. It is prone to accidental scratches and dust marks.
OnePlus has incorporated the pairing button at the bottom side of the case, which is not visible at first glance. However, this design approach is good, as this hidden button gets the work done and doesn't even spoil the look. Right above the button is a tiny LED indicator that indicates the battery status. It either turns red when the battery is low or lights up in green colour when the earbuds have sufficient juice.
If we talk about the two earbuds, they have a short stem design that we also saw with the Nord Buds 3 Pro as well. With their lightweight design, the buds don’t cause discomfort even after prolonged use. OnePlus has also included different-sized ear cushions in the retail box, allowing one to find the perfect fit.
The earbuds have a snug fit that offers a good level of passive noise isolation. Additionally, the earphones are also IP-55 rated and can be used in the rain or while taking a shower. The earbuds are also attached magnetically to the case, and we didn't encounter any accidental drop issues.
OnePlus Nord Buds 3 review: Audio quality
If you’re a fan of bass-heavy music, you’ll appreciate the audio performance of the Nord Buds 3. It delivers a dynamic audio experience across all genres, and the songs with heavy bass sound particularly pleasing. With the Hey Melody app or the Bluetooth’s built-in controls in the Bluetooth settings, you can set the BassWave option to further enhance the bass.
However, the higher tones or electronic sounds are a bit weak, and the instrument separation is not very noticeable. Overall, the sound profile of the Nord Buds 3 is more bass-heavy, with a good balance of vocals and background sound. It's a good choice if you enjoy strong bass and don’t prefer sharp, bright sounds.
Additionally, the earbuds provide up to 32dB of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) support that cuts out most types of background noise. We even tested it under heavy traffic or on a flight, and the performance was satisfactory. The microphones also worked well, people on the calls could hear us in noisy backgrounds, and we could hear them as well, with minimal background noise.
The Nord Buds 3 also comes with lots of customisation options with the HeyMelody app. You can set a single press for play/pause, and also change double-press for the next track to the previous track. With a double or triple tap the earbuds can launch voice assistant for either left or right or both the earbuds. The triple tap function can also be customised. The app also provides multiple EQ options to customise the sound profile. OnePlus Nord Buds 3 review: Battery life
The battery life of the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 is terrific, to say the least. OnePlus claims that the earbuds can last up to 12 hours on a single charge without ANC and up to 43 hours with the case. We found these claims to be quite accurate, as the earbuds with the case last a whole week of heavy usage without charging them.
We also used the earphones in the second week 3-4 hours a day with ANC turned on all the time and volume at 75%. With this usage the battery backup drops slightly, but the earbuds still last for more than five days, which is quite good.
The earbuds also support fast charging, and the case with an 80W OnePlus charger managed to fully charge in under an hour. Overall, the battery life on the Nord Buds 3 is very impressive, even when you use it with ANC. OnePlus Nord Buds 3: Verdict
If we were to sum it up one line, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 is worth buying under Rs 2m500. With reliable sound quality, satisfactory ANC performance, and a premium design, it ticks all the boxes for consumers looking for a well-rounded audio experience in this price range. However, we wished it came with in-ear detection and the vocal sound could have been better.
However, if you have a limited budget of around Rs 2,500 and want great audio quality with good battery life, you can’t go wrong with the OnePlus Nord Buds 3. It is recommended for budget-conscious consumers looking for wireless earbuds with decent ANC and bass-heavy audio performance. Moreover, with offers, you can buy it for under Rs 2,000, which makes it one of the better ones in this price range.
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