OnePlus Buds Pro 3 Review

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, 1 was eager to try these new earbuds, and 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.