OnePlus has stirred the world of electronics with their flurry of launches. Even the world wide pandemic situation didn’t dampen their spirits. One such launch is their first ever True Wireless earphones called OnePlus Buds which was launched along with their new midrange smartphone series called Nord. I’m using the Buds for a month now and I’ll share my experience here.
Design
OnePlus Buds has a design eerily similar to that of Apple Airpods. The charging case is slightly bigger still it easily fits in our pockets. It has the similar polycarbonate aka plastic build with a metal hinge which gives it a premium feel. The magnets inside the case holds the buds in the case properly. Buds are rated for IPX4 for water resistance and can withstand minor physical contacts.
The Buds themselves are slightly larger than Airpods and the fit was perfect for me. Airpods were too small for my ears so this comes down to the personal preference of individual since they’re not adjustable.
OnePlus Buds is now on sale on Amazon. If you are planning to buy one, better do it before stock runs out !
Sound Quality
13.4mm drivers present in the buds are perfect for the job. I am not an audiophile yet I care like everyone do. The sound is crisp and clear, clarity is almost perfect especially during phone calls and the bass is perfect for me. The buds are not bass-heavy earphones like some Sony products but have the right amount for prolonged music sessions.
OnePlus smartphone users will have some customisation options so that they can choose different pre-built styles which suits them. Dolby Atmos support adds to the quality of the product.
Connectivity
The Buds supports Bluetooth 5.0 and SBC and AAC codecs. They don’t support higher codecs like aptX which is a little sad note here. But the quality seems good one these and there is a good connection despite me shifting rooms frequently. The Buds supports Google Swift Pair which makes it a very good accessory for Android devices. OnePlus smartphone users will get customisation of the gestures that can be used to control the touch sensitive area of the buds for quick actions.
However I personally had some connectivity drop issues. Despite using a OnePlus 7 Pro, I didn’t receive the Buds support yet in my software update just because I’m in Closed Beta stream of updates. This is not fair OnePlus. If you see this please take necessary actions.
The Fnatic mode in OnePlus phones will trigger the Low Latency mode of the buds with the minimum latency of 103ms. Its not the best in competition but does the job perfect. I had wonderful sessions with my friends in PUBG. (RIP)
Battery
OnePlus claims a 30 hour battery life on OnePlus Buds with both case and the buds themselves. In my usage I only charged the case once in every 2-3 days. The buds lasted for 6-7 hours of continuous music playback. Buds also supports OnePlus’s Warp Charge technology so charging was a breeze. OnePlus has done an excellent job on this side.
Price and Verdict
OnePlus Buds goes for sale in India for INR 4990. This price makes it an excellent buy for those who look for TWS type earphones. It delivers the similar performance of Airpods at less than half of its price. Buds are perfect for those who already own a OnePlus smartphone. For other android users there’s an option from Oppo that can lure you. But the Sound Quality and Battery of the Buds makes it a superior competitor.
OnePlus Buds is now on sale on Amazon. If you are planning to buy one, better do it before stock runs out !