OnePlus has stepped up its game with the release of the OnePlus Buds Pro 3, bringing high-end audio quality and a premium feel to its wireless earbud lineup. These earbuds are crafted in collaboration with Dynaudio, a renowned Danish speaker company, ensuring that audio enthusiasts will find plenty to love. From extended battery life to enhanced noise cancellation, the Buds Pro 3 promise a superior listening experience. I’ve spent considerable time testing these, and this review will cover essential aspects such as design, sound quality, battery life, and overall performance.
OnePlus Buds Pro 3 Review: Design & Fit
The design of the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 is one of the first things that caught my attention. Unlike the boxy style of previous models, this time around, OnePlus has gone for a more refined, pebble-shaped case. The matte-finish leather texture on the case, combined with the metal accents along the edges, adds to its sleek appearance. Though the case is built from plastic, it feels sturdy and premium in hand, and I particularly liked how compact it is — it slides effortlessly into a pocket.
The Buds Pro 3 are available in two colors: Midnight Opus and Lunar Radiance. My set came in Lunar Radiance, a color that exudes elegance. When you open the case, the LED indicator between the earbuds lights up, which adds a nice touch. The buds themselves have a dual-tone finish, with a matte front and a glossy metallic back, which I found quite eye-catching. The fit is also worth mentioning.
These earbuds sit snugly in the ears, and I never felt discomfort even after wearing them for hours. You get additional ear tips in the box to customize the fit, which is a nice bonus. Overall, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 strike the right balance between style and comfort.
OnePlus Buds Pro 3 Review: Connectivity & Controls
The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 offer seamless connectivity, and pairing them with a smartphone was incredibly straightforward. Using the HeyMelody companion app, available for both Android and iOS, I had no trouble customizing my experience. The app offers plenty of options for tweaking the settings, such as adjusting the equalizer, toggling noise cancellation, and activating transparency mode. Pairing is a breeze—just open the case, activate Bluetooth, and press the button on the side of the case. The process was fast, and I experienced no connectivity issues during my tests.
The touch controls on the earbuds are responsive and intuitive. A simple tap on the stems lets you pause or play music, while a double tap skips tracks. What impressed me the most was the volume control—you can slide your finger along the stem to increase or decrease the volume, which felt quite natural.
Pressing and holding the stems activates Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which did an admirable job in blocking out ambient noise, particularly in quieter environments. The transparency mode is also useful, allowing you to hear your surroundings without needing to remove the earbuds.
OnePlus Buds Pro 3 Review: Sound Quality & ANC
When it comes to sound quality, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 truly shine. The combination of Dynaudio tuning, an 11mm woofer, and a 6mm tweeter in each earbud results in a well-balanced audio experience. As soon as I started listening to music, I could immediately tell the difference compared to previous models.
The sound is clear, with punchy bass and crisp highs. Whether you’re listening to electronic beats or classical music, the Buds Pro 3 deliver impressive audio fidelity. The bass is rich without being overpowering, and the high frequencies maintain clarity even at higher volumes.
The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is also a notable improvement. It performed well in most environments, especially indoors, where it effectively muted background noise like fans and conversations. Though the ANC struggled a bit in noisier outdoor settings, it’s still a big upgrade from earlier models.
If you prefer customizing your audio experience, the HeyMelody app allows you to choose from five equalizer settings, and the Golden Sound feature can even assess your hearing to fine-tune the audio output. While there’s no support for LDAC or Bluetooth LE, the LHDC 5.0, AAC, and SBC codecs provide excellent sound quality on most devices.
OnePlus Buds Pro 3 Review: Battery Life & Charging
Battery life is another area where the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 impress. According to the company, these earbuds can last up to 10 hours on a single charge when ANC is turned off, and up to 43 hours with the charging case. In real-world usage, I found these claims to be mostly accurate. With ANC turned on, the earbuds lasted a solid 6 hours, which is enough for a full day of intermittent listening. The charging case extends that to 25 hours with ANC enabled, which is perfect for traveling or long commutes.
One of the standout features is the fast charging capability. In just 10 minutes of charging, the earbuds can provide up to 5 hours of playback, which came in handy when I needed a quick charge before heading out. The earbuds also support wireless charging, so if you have a phone that supports reverse wireless charging, you can charge the case on the go. Overall, the battery performance is more than sufficient for most users.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the OnePlus Buds Pro 3?
At approximately $144 USD, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 offer a compelling package for anyone seeking premium wireless earbuds without breaking the bank. While they don’t have every feature found in more expensive competitors, the Buds Pro 3 excel where it counts—sound quality, noise cancellation, and design. The Dynaudio-tuned drivers deliver rich, satisfying audio, and the ANC feature holds its own against pricier alternatives. The earbuds are stylish, comfortable, and boast excellent battery life, making them ideal for both casual listeners and audiophiles.
There are a few minor drawbacks, such as the lack of LDAC support and some muddiness in mid-range frequencies, but these are easy to overlook given the overall quality. If you’re in the market for wireless earbuds that provide a well-rounded experience without a hefty price tag, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 should be high on your list.
