OnePlus Buds 3 review in 5 points

The new OnePlus 12 smartphones from OnePlus seem to be the best of the lot that the company has launched yet. In our review, we liked the new flagship OnePlus 12 and its younger sibling, the OnePlus 12R, which we even tagged as the flagship killer. At the same time, even more than the phones, it is the newly-launched OnePlus Buds 3 earbuds that has caught our attention.

OnePlus has managed to offer users a good pair of earbuds that perform almost like their Buds Pro lineup but cost almost half of the Buds Pro 2.Priced at Rs 5,499, the OnePlus Buds 3 offers incredible value and impressive features, including dual dynamic drivers, support for Hi-Res Audio via LHDC 5, 94ms low latency, touch volume control, up to 49dB active noise cancellation, IP55 rating for water and dust protection, and up to 44 hours of playback time with the accompanying charging case.

While the specs look good on paper, in our detailed review of OnePlus Buds 3, we found out that these new earbuds excel in performance and are almost close to the Pro series. Though there are some areas where they could have been better.Featuring a premium design, the OnePlus Buds 3 borrows cues from the Buds Pro 2 and Apple AirPods Pro. Its short-stemmed style earbuds are pair with a revamped pebble-shaped charging case which echoes the design aesthetic of the Buds Pro 2. Available in Splendid Blue and Metallic Gray, these earbuds look premium and the blue variant, which I reviewed, offers the vibrant pop of colour.

Now, while the design is similar, the OnePlus Buds 3 are lighter than the Buds Pro 2. They offer a comfortable, snug fit without feeling cheap or flimsy. While I personally prefer a bit of weight which the premium earbuds offer, the Buds 3 do not disappoint in terms of build quality.During my week of using the Buds 3 for an average of 6-7 hours daily, I found little to complain about these earbuds, especially considering the price. I used earbuds to listen to a range of music albums across genres.

Whether it was melodic Bollywood tunes or energetic K-Pop tracks, the Buds 3 consistently impressed me with clear vocals, immersive backgrounds, and decent bass. While the Buds 3 obviously don't match the performance of the Buds Pro 2 (which is expected considering the price difference), they serve as a strong reminder that specs aren't everything.