OnePlus Buds Pro 3 Review: Exceptional True Wireless Earbuds

The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 has been designed to enhance the true wireless earbud experience, featuring dual drivers, adaptive ANC, spatial audio, and a unique posture tracking capability. Given the stiff competition from brands like Samsung, Sony, and Apple, it is essential to evaluate what sets these earbuds apart.

Design & Comfort: A Stylish Upgrade

OnePlus has transitioned from the traditional horizontal case to a more modern vertical design, complete with a faux leather texture. While this plastic material does not convey the premium feel one might expect, the case itself is robust, and the hinge operates smoothly. The earbuds boast polished stems, pressure-sensitive controls, and an IP55 rating, ensuring they are both fashionable and resilient.

Regarding comfort, the earbuds offer a fair fit, although they appear slightly bulky. The default ear tips may not provide an optimal hold, necessitating frequent adjustments during use.

Sound Quality: Rich Details, but Sharp Treble

Equipped with an 11mm woofer and a 6mm tweeter alongside a dual DAC system, the Buds Pro 3 aims to deliver high-resolution audio. The out-of-the-box tuning leans towards a pronounced V-shape, delivering robust bass coupled with sharply defined highs. This dynamic sound profile can be quite thrilling; however, it may lead to listening fatigue over extended periods.

OnePlus collaborated with Dynaudio for the tuning process; however, early firmware updates downgraded the best preset, resulting in an unexpected boost in the mid-range frequencies. Fortunately, users have the option to adjust the six-band EQ via the app for a more balanced audio experience.

While the support for LHDC 5.0 is commendable, the absence of LDAC or Bluetooth LE Audio restricts the high-quality audio capabilities on devices other than OnePlus.

ANC & Features: Impressive for the Price

The active noise cancellation performance is akin to flagship models, effectively reducing ambient sounds like voices and background noises. It performs well against wind interference, although subtle sounds like keyboard clicks remain audible. Transparency mode is functional, although it could enhance voice amplification more effectively.

The HeyMelody app facilitates adjustments to ANC, EQ settings, and spatial audio features. Additionally, multi-device pairing is seamless. While the neck posture tracking feature is unique, it may come across as more show than substance.

Battery Life: Solid, but Not Exceptional

The battery performance stands at approximately 5 hours with ANC activated (almost 9 hours without), which is satisfactory. The charging case provides multiple recharges, and fast charging capabilities allow for quick top-ups.

Verdict: A Strong Contender with Minor Flaws

Priced at Rs 10,999, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 delivers excellent ANC, a host of features, and commendable audio performance. Nonetheless, the pronounced treble, lack of LDAC support, and moderate comfort prevent them from achieving a flawless rating.

OnePlus has indeed achieved a robust feature set, although refinement in sound tuning is necessary. Nevertheless, they stand as a compelling choice in the premium wireless earbuds market.