OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Review – Entry-Level Earbuds with Flagship-Level Performance

Highlights

• OnePlus has launched its entry-level earbuds Nord Buds 3.
• It is powered by up to 32dB ANC and a 12.4mm extra-large driver enhanced by OnePlus’ proprietary BassWave 2.0 technology.
• It supports AI Clear Calls, Master EQ and 3D Audio.
• Available in two colour options – Harmonic Gray and Melodic White.
• OnePlus Nord Buds 3 price in India is Rs 2,299.

OnePlus Nord is the affordable’ product line of the Chinese consumer brand. After the successful release of the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 last year, the company has now released an upgrade – the OnePlus Nord Buds 3.

To understand if the latest entry-level OnePlus offering in the wearable audio category is worth upgrading to, here’s our in-depth OnePlus Nord Buds 3 review.

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 – Key Features

• Up to 32dB Active Noise Cancellation
• AI Clear Calls
• Transparency Mode
• 4mm Extra-large Driver
• BassWave 2.0
• Master EQ
• 3D Audio
• Up to 43 Hours of Listening Time
• Fast Charging
• World’s First Buds Certified by TÜV Rheinland for Battery Health
• Bluetooth 5.4
• Dual Connection
• Google Fast Pair
• IP55 Rating

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 – Pros & Cons

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 – What’s In the Box?

• OnePlus Nord Buds 3 earbuds
• OnePlus Nord Buds 3 charging case
• User guide
• Silicon ear tips × 3 (S, M, L)
• Safety and Warranty card
• USB Type-C charging cable
• Nord emoji sticker

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Unboxing Video

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 – Design, Build Quality and Fit

 

The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 come in a sleek case. The case has a smooth matte finish with subtle metallic accents. It doesn’t pick too many fingerprints. For this review, we had the Harmonic Gray variant. This is a classic black colour that makes it look stylish.

The design is compact and simple. OnePlus has followed a minimalist approach.

Earbuds have waterdrop-shaped stem

As for the size, each earbud is small and lightweight. You wouldn’t feel them in your ears even while wearing them for long hours. It is a good pick for people who indulge in long listening sessions.

The case is also compact and weighs only 46.2 grams. It’s easy to slip into your pocket and doesn’t add much bulk. The lid of the case feels sturdy when opened and shut.

In terms of build quality, the Nord Buds 3 feels solid. It comes with an IP55 rating. So, it can handle sweat and light splashes of water.

You can use them in the gym or on a rainy day. We tried using them in light rain and didn’t face any issues.

Fit-wise, the earbuds sit snugly in the ear. It being so lightweight definitely helps. We found them comfortable for extended use. The good seal with the ear tips helps with passive noise isolation.

It overall has a premium feel and doesn’t feel entry-level at all.

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 – Audio Quality

 

About the audio quality, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 provides a good overall audio experience.

The 12.4mm dynamic drivers deliver clear and balanced audio.

We can say these are perfect for everyday listening. It’s perfect for every type of audio, whether upbeat tracks, soft music or even podcasts. Vocals also come through crisply. We also tried instruments sound and it felt distinct.

While the sound is detailed, what is truly impressive is the strong bass.

It comes with the second generation of BassWave technology.

Overall, the audio profile feels rich.

The titanized diaphragm in the earbuds also adds to the clarity. These perform especially well in the mids and highs.

The buds also cover the full range of typical hearing. You can expect decent performance for deep lows to crisp highs.

We also felt the design of these buds makes sure that even at higher volumes, the audio stays clean and clear. We got smooth performance without distortion. 

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 comes with two microphones. This ensures voice comes through clearly. Even when we tried using the calling feature in noisy environments, it responded well.

Overall, Nord Buds 3 delivers impressive audio quality for the price point.

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 – ANC Performance

 

The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 come with up to 32dB of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). It is impressive for earbuds available at this price point.

With ANC on, the earbuds do a great job of reducing background noise. It also manages to reduce low-frequency sounds such as air conditioning or a running engine. This makes music or podcasts sound much clearer.

It also has feedforward ANC technology. This actively listens to the environment and adapts so that the noise-cancellation can block distractions.

For casual everyday use, it’s more than enough.

There’s also a Transparency Mode. This feature makes the ambient sounds hearable when needed.

The AI noise cancellation feature performs well during calls also. It helps make the voice sound clearer and reduces background noise while speaking on calls.

OnePlus has used an advanced AI-based call algorithm for better call quality.

Overall, we can say the ANC performance on Nord Buds 3 punches well above its weight.

It’s a definitely standout feature.

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 – Features

 

The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 are packed with useful features.

It comes with Bluetooth 5.4 and promises stable and fast connectivity. It has a wireless range of up to 10 meters. We tried testing it and holds up well when there are no big obstructions.

There is also the Sound Master Equalizer. It gives you full control over the sound profile.

The three presets—Balanced, Serenade, and Bass are decently versatile to suit your preferences.

For OnePlus smartphone users, there’s the added benefit. They will be able to utilise 3D Audio. This brings a rich and more immersive sound experience.

For quick and seamless pairing, the Nord Buds 3 comes with Google Fast Pair. You can easily connect to your devices with this feature.

It also has the Dual Connection feature to connect the earbuds to two devices simultaneously. We found the switching between your phone and laptop effortless.

Other controls, whether you’re streaming or taking calls are smooth too.

App support is available via the HeyMelody app. You can access more settings and features. It also provides further customisation options.

All in all, Nord Buds 3 provides a host of useful features making it perfect for everyday audio use.

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 – Battery Life

The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 delivers good battery life. The reliable battery makes Nord Buds 3 perfect for long listening sessions.

Each earbud is powered by a 58mAh battery. As for the case, it comes with a 440mAh battery.

 OnePlus says these are the first earbuds to receive the TÜV Rheinland Battery Health certification. It guarantees that at least 80% of the original battery capacity will remain after as many as 1,000 charging cycles. If we compare, the industry average is just 700 cycles.

With ANC off, you can easily expect up to 12 hours on a single charge. And when paired with the charging case, you get 43 hours of total playback.

Even with ANC on, the battery life is still solid. It offers around 8 hours of playback on the earbuds and up to 28 hours with the case.

Charging is also quick and convenient. It supports the USB Type-C fast charge. The brand claims a quick 10-minute charge gives you up to 11 hours of playback (with both the case and earbuds).

Overall, the battery life on the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 is good and provides a great audio experience for long hours of listening.

Verdict – Should You Buy OnePlus Nord Buds 3?

The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 are budget earbuds that offer great value for money.

It basically offers everything that you expect from a decent pair of earbuds. You get sleek-looking lightweight and comfortable earbuds for all-day use. The sound quality is good with a solid ANC performance.

You also get features like Google Fast Pair, Dual Connection, and AI Clear Calls. These earbuds are convenient and user-friendly.

So, we would say if you are looking for feature-packed, budget-friendly wireless earbuds with solid ANC and good battery life, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 are definitely worth considering.

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Reason To Buy

• Good Audio and Call Quality
• Strong ANC performance
• Impressive battery life
• Customisable sound
• Comfortable and lightweight

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Reasons Not to Buy

• No wireless charging
• Limited Codec Support
• No In-Ear Detection

Alternatives

realme Buds Air 3S

Key features –

• In-ear Wireless Earbuds
• 30 hrs Playback Time
• Replaceable Earbuds

Price – ₹2,470.

Noise Buds VS103

Key features –

• In-ear Wireless Earbuds
• Bluetooth v5.2
• 32 hrs Playback Time
• 10mm Driver
• Noise Reduction

Price – ₹1,999.

OPPO Enco Air2 Pro

Kea Features –

• In-ear Wireless Earbuds
• Bluetooth v5.2
• 28 hrs Playback Time
• Noise Cancellation

Price – ₹2,799.

FAQs

 What is the battery life of the OnePlus Nord Buds 3?

With ANC off, the earbuds offer up to 12 hours of playback on a single charge, and up to 43 hours with the charging case. With ANC on, you get up to 8 hours on the earbuds alone and 28 hours on the case.

 Do the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 have ANC?

Yes, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 features up to 32dB of Active Noise Cancellation, effectively reducing background noise. They also include a Transparency Mode to let in ambient sounds when needed.

Can I use the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 with multiple devices?

Yes, the Dual Connection feature allows you to connect the earbuds to two devices at the same time, making it easy to switch between your phone, tablet, or laptop.

Are the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 compatible with the HeyMelody app?

Yes, they are compatible with the HeyMelody app, which allows for additional customization and settings adjustments.

How fast is the charging for the OnePlus Nord Buds 3?

The earbuds support fast charging via USB Type-C, providing up to 11 hours of playback with just a 10-minute charge.

What are the smart noise management offers on OnePlus Nord Buds 3?

• Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): Up to 32dB of ANC.
• Feedforward Technology: External microphones catch ambient sound around the earbuds, which is inverted using a dedicated digital signal processor (DSP).
• AI Clear Calls: Advanced dual mic system captures human voices with better clarity and accuracy. AI-based algorithm amplifies voices in loud environments for clear phone calls.
• Transparency Mode: Blends ambient external sounds with audio from the connected device, maintaining awareness of surroundings while enjoying music or conversations.

How is the bass & sound quality offered by the OnePlus Nord Buds 3?

• Driver: Robust 12.4mm extra-large titanized diaphragm with an outer layer of 100% TPU (Thermoplastic polyurethane), larger rear cavity, and lighter copper wire coil.
• BassWave™ 2.0: Adjustable range up to ±10dB; bass level increased by 2dB for deeper, more resonant sound.
• 3D Audio: Proprietary soundscape expansion algorithm for immersive soundscapes with depth, directionality, and realism when paired with OnePlus smartphones.
• Master EQ: Three modes – Balanced, Serenade, and Bass – for customizable sound presets.

Can OnePlus Nord Buds 3 last in high temperatures?

• The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 has undergone rigorous testing, including 55℃ extreme temperature tests, 20,000 folds of the case hinge, 1.5-meter drops of the charging case, and 1.8-meter drops of the earbuds to ensure long-lasting, dependable quality.

Is OnePlus Nord Buds 3 easy to carry?

• Size and Weight: 10% smaller and lighter than its predecessor; weighs 4.2 grams.
• Design: Upgraded ergonomic design with softer curves for comfortable all-day wear. Available in Harmonic Gray and Melodic White.

How well is OnePlus Nord Buds 3 priced?

• Price: Starts at INR 2,299.
• Discounts:
  • INR 200 instant bank discount on ICICI Bank and OneCard Credit Cards.
  • INR 200 additional discount for students on oneplus.in and OnePlus Store App.

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