OnePlus Buds Review: Great Sound At An Affordable Price

OnePlus, a company known for releasing affordable smartphones with top-tier specs, is launching a new pair of wireless earbuds called the OnePlus Buds. What do the OnePlus Buds offer to the consumer?

Here's a quick look at some of the device's key features, as well as some pros and cons.

Design

The OnePlus Buds are the company's first true wireless earbuds. Unlike earlier releases like the Bullets Wireless, the OnePlus Buds do not have any wires or cables that users have to deal with. It's more like Apple's AirPods in terms of design but is distinctly different.

The Verge noted that OnePlus' new Buds are made of rigid plastic and feature a “half-ear” design like the AirPods. It does not make use of an in-ear tip that needs to be pushed into the ear canal. OnePlus told the outlet that this design is intentional because it “wanted to make the OnePlus Buds more friendly for a wider range of users.”

Sound Quality

The OnePlus Buds' half-ear design means that they won't achieve a proper seal. This means users can't expect outside noise to be totally blocked out when listening or taking calls.

The lack of an active noise cancellation feature also means users will have to get used to hearing outside noise even when their favorite music is playing.

XDA Developers noted, however, that OnePlus did a good job of balancing the Buds' sound. The bass is boosted, but it does not make the sound muddy. It simply makes the sound more “punchy in the ears.” Pressing the earbuds into the ears increases the bass to “extremely strong” levels, but wearing them normally results in good audio quality.

Call quality

The OnePlus Buds do a good job when making and taking calls, XDA Developers noted. It has “really good call quality ” and the environmental noise cancellation “seems to work pretty well.”

Battery life

The OnePlus Buds offer a total of 30 hours of battery life, charging case included. The Buds can last for up to seven hours before needing a charge via the charging case. Placing the Buds in the case for 45 minutes brings them to 100%.

Other important things

The OnePlus Buds are IPX4 rated for water resistance, which means it can be used when working out or listening to music under the rain. The Verge noted, however, that users will need a OnePlus handset to take advantage of the OnePlus Buds' features.

The OnePlus Buds sell for $79 per pair. It comes in white and gray versions in the U.S. There's also a “Nord Blue” version available outside the U.S.