OnePlus Nord Buds 3 was launched in India on September 17, nearly two months after the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 was launched. OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro released. The newly launched true wireless stereo (TWS) earphones feature 12.4mm titanium alloy dynamic drivers, support up to 32dB active noise cancellation (ANC), and are said to have a total battery life of up to 43 hours. The normal option seems similar to the Pro version in terms of design. They share some of the same specs, but the cheaper Nord Buds 3 don’t have some of the features offered by the Nord Buds 3 Pro. Will these differences affect the overall performance of the base version? Is there a noticeable difference in the user experience offered by these two headphones? We’ll find out in this review.
OnePlus Nord Buds 3 design and features: familiar territory
- Dimensions – 29.99 x 20.30 x 23.87 mm (headphones); 66.60 x 51.24 x 24.83 mm (casing)
- Weight – 4.2 (buds); 46.2 grams (box)
- Waterproof and dustproof – IP55
- Color- Harmony Gray, Melody White
The design of the newly launched OnePlus Nord Buds 3 is similar to the Nord Buds 3 Pro design. Like the Pro version, these TWS headphones have a traditional in-ear design with silicone ear tips. The nibs are available in small, medium, and large sizes, with the medium size working best for me.
The touch control area towards the top of the stem is demarcated by a depression
The headphones are also comfortable to use for long periods of time. The earphones are wider at the base, making it easier for users to adjust the fit. There is less chance of accidentally triggering a touch control command because the sensor is placed on a narrower upper part of the stem and is significantly indented.
Meanwhile, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3’s pebble-shaped magnetic charging case has a USB Type-C port and a pairing button at the bottom. A flashing LED light on the front of the case indicates the device’s charging status. The charging connector inside the case is placed towards the bottom. Even with the headphones, the box is lightweight and easy to carry. The earphones have an IP55 dust and splash resistance rating, while the case doesn’t have any such certification. They are available in Harmony Gray and Melody White colours.
OnePlus Nord Buds 3 apps and specs: The clear takeaways
- Driver – 12.4mm
- Companion App – Hey Melody App
- Gesture control – Yes
The Hey Melody app allows users to monitor the battery level of the charging case as well as individual earphones. It also helps manage different noise reduction modes, namely on, off and transparent. You can use the app to control touch functions and customize EQ settings. A dedicated gaming mode is claimed to ensure smooth gaming and audio-visual playback with low latency. Dual device connectivity allows the headset to connect to two devices at the same time.
EQ settings can be easily customized via the Hey Melody app
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 feature 12.4mm dynamic drivers and a dual-mic system. They offer up to 32dB ANC and up to 43 hours of total battery life. Each earphone is equipped with a 58mAh battery, and the charging case is equipped with a 440mAh battery. The case comes with a USB Type-C charging port. They support Google Quick Pair, Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity, and SBC and AAC audio codecs. Only the earphones have an IP55 dust and splash resistance rating.
OnePlus Nord Buds 3 performance and battery life: Too much bass?
- ANC – 32dB
- Battery – 58mAh (buds), 440mAh (box)
- Fast charging – yes
- Bluetooth- v5.4
Is there something like too much bass? This was the first question that came to my mind during the first few minutes of using the OnePlus Nord Buds 3. But it’s not so much the presence of bass boost as it is the lack of balanced tuning. I replaced these headphones with my regular headphones during the review period and was unhappy when some of my current favorite tracks sounded muddled. The lack of detail, especially in high-frequency sounds, is most vivid.
However, the customizable EQ settings on the Hey Melody app are somewhat of a saving grace. For a casual listener like me, fiddling with the six-band EQ allowed me to play most of the songs in my playlist with ease. The Serenade preset on the app highlights the vocals a bit, but it mostly takes away some of the punch of the bass. While I’m not crazy about the sound quality, I’m not complaining about the bass. The bass is good. It gets us out of bed or sometimes helps us control procrastination. It would be better if the sound could be balanced as well.
The earphones and charging box are both light and easy to carry
Turn to the ANC. Let’s be honest; it doesn’t do much. It’ll remove some indoor distractions for you, but it’s still a long way from eliminating any distractions. Of course, Transparency mode allows for more noise than ANC mode, but it doesn’t block out much noise either. I prefer turning off the ANC feature rather than using transparency mode.
Considering that the microphone performance of OnePlus Nord Buds 3 is pretty good. Can you enjoy stable phone calls using these headphones in busy streets? No, should you expect one or the other? Neither. Even if the sound is slightly distorted, it is still audible. I’m not a regular phone person so I can’t say this changed my experience.
However, my complaints about the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 end there. The headphones support dual-device connectivity as well as Google Fast Pair. Not only does this mean that the TWS wearable can be connected to two devices at the same time, but these headphones also allow us to switch between them seamlessly. These budget products come with SBC and AAC support along with Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity. The lack of lossless audio codec support is justified considering the price.
Similar to the Pro version, these headphones have a wider stem at the base
The best feature of the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 is the battery life. The company claims the numbers are large, and in most cases, they’re close. Without ANC, these headphones gave me about 42 hours of total playback time, while the headphones alone lasted over 11 hours on a single charge. Once ANC is turned on, battery life is significantly reduced. I got a little over 26 hours of total playtime, and about 6 hours using just the headphones. During battery testing, I never got more than 50% charge.
OnePlus Nord Buds 3: Verdict
It turns out that there can be too much bass, especially if the overall tuning is unbalanced. Granted, the sound experience delivered by the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 lacks detail, and the noise-canceling performance is lacking. However, this may not deter interested customers, especially those on a tight budget.
At Rs. 2,299, these TWS earphones offer impeccable battery life. Additionally, the comfortable wearing experience of the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 is a great incentive for casual listeners who use headphones for long periods of time. Most budget TWS headphones in particular are notorious for causing ear discomfort over extended periods of use. Smooth dual connections add to your reasons for choosing these.
With limited funds, none of us would have expected a studio-mastered sound experience. After all, half a loaf is better than none. If you have extra doughYou can opt for retail OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro, though (review) rupee. India has 3,299. Additional payment of Rs. 1,000 and you get significantly better sound and noise cancellation.
