The latest OnePlus Buds Pro 3 were recently launched at a price of ₹13,999, with potential discounts available. As someone who used the Buds Pro 2 daily for much of last year, I was eager to try these new earbuds, and I have several observations to share.
Design, Build, and Feel
The design of the Buds Pro 3 has seen some notable changes. First, the charging case has been updated to a flip design, similar to other recent OnePlus earbuds, moving away from the flat design of the Buds Pro 2. The case now features a textured, leather-like finish that enhances grip and feels sturdy and premium in hand. However, like Apple’s AirPods, they now come in a white colour, called Lunar Radiance, which may require more frequent cleaning.
The earbuds themselves maintain the familiar in-ear stem design but with some visible differences. The Buds Pro 3 are slightly larger, indicating an internal redesign, possibly to accommodate the dual DACs in each earbud, which deliver a more powerful audio experience compared to the previous model.
The stems are now longer and feature a touch-enabled sliding function for adjusting volume—a welcome and much-needed addition. However, getting the gesture right can be tricky, as I found my left earbud occasionally slipping out. The earbuds also now have “L” and “R” markings, making it easier to identify the correct earbud, another thoughtful improvement. And with an IP55 rating, won’t have sweat creep in through them.
A nice touch is the “co-created with Dynaudio” branding on the earbuds and the case.
Sound Performance
The Buds Pro 3 support Fast Pair, which means they quickly connect to Android devices, especially OnePlus phones, when brought close. The pairing process is swift, and the earbuds offer the same settings as the Buds Pro 2, with no significant changes. iPhone users can access similar features through the HeyMelody app, though OnePlus should do more to highlight this compatibility.
In terms of sound quality, the Buds Pro 3 deliver a noticeably louder, clearer, and crisper audio output. The bass is well-rounded, much like the Buds Pro 2, but with a richer overall sound. OnePlus claims these earbuds can cancel noise up to -50dB, and they deliver on that promise. The Adaptive Noise Cancellation feature adjusts to your environment, cutting out outside noise more naturally than the Buds Pro 2, which tended to create a slight vacuum effect.
Areas for Improvement
While the overall experience is designed with OnePlus phone users in mind, I feel there’s room for improvement for iOS users. The fit of the ear tips also leaves something to be desired. Despite trying all the provided tips, the fit still felt average and slightly loose during sound tests.
Another issue I’ve noticed with the Buds Pro 2 is that latency tends to increase over time, particularly when connected to a TV, leading to brief connection drops. I’ll need more time with the Buds Pro 3 to see if this issue persists.
As for call quality, there’s definite improvement—voices sound clearer, though still somewhat robotic.
Conclusion
The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 are simple and easy to use. Just pop them open, and they connect to your paired devices, ready to go. They offer a range of customization options and deliver sound quality that sits comfortably between Apple’s AirPods Pro and Samsung’s Buds Pro.
The standout feature here is the price. At ₹13,999, with potential discounts making them even more affordable, the Buds Pro 3 offer excellent value for money. With features like multiple device connections, fast charging (providing up to 43 hours of listening time), and LHDC support (though this won’t work with iOS and Pixel devices), they are a compelling choice.
Ultimately, it’s the combination of price and features that make the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 a great product for the money, especially when compared to pricier competitors like AirPods and Samsung buds.