OnePlus Buds 3 Review — Premium Mid-Range TWS with Dual Drivers
The Quick Verdict The OnePlus Buds 3 is a mid-range TWS that brings a 10.4mm driver, active noise ca...
Earbuds Under ₹1500
OnePlus Buds 3
★
★
★
★
★
3.25/5
Battery Life: ~10 hrs earbuds, 28 hrs total with case
Driver Size: 10.4mm Dynamic Driver
Noise Cancellation: Up to 49dB
Bluetooth: 5.3
Water Resistance: IP55
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Earbud Specifications
Earbuds Under ₹1500Battery Life
~10 hrs earbuds, 28 hrs total with case
Driver Size
10.4mm Dynamic Driver
Noise Cancellation
Up to 49dB
Bluetooth
5.3
Water Resistance
IP55
Audio Codec
AAC, SBC
Case Battery
520mAh
Weight
~4.7g per earbud, 40g total
Microphone
3 mics per bud, AI Call Noise Cancellation
Low Latency
94ms
Type
In-Ear TWS
Connectivity
Wireless
Noise Cancel
Yes (Up to 49dB)
Best For
You want a proven OnePlus TWS, You value HeyMelody app, You prefer balanced sound, You want decent ANC under ₹5,000, You want dual device connectivity, You find it on sale below ₹4,000
Our Review
The Quick Verdict
The OnePlus Buds 3 is a mid-range TWS that brings a 10.4mm driver, active noise cancellation, and the polished HeyMelody app ecosystem to the sub-₹5,000 segment. Positioned between the Nord Buds 4 and the flagship Buds Pro 3, the Buds 3 offers a balanced feature set with decent ANC, good sound quality, and reliable connectivity. However, at ₹4,999, it faces stiff competition from the newer OnePlus Buds 4 (₹5,999) and the Nord Buds 4 Pro (₹3,999), both of which offer better features at similar or lower prices. The Buds 3's single-driver setup feels dated compared to the dual-driver Buds 4, and the 28-hour total battery is shorter than competitors. For OnePlus users who want a proven, reliable TWS, it's decent. For feature hunters, newer models offer significantly more.
Bottom Line
The OnePlus Buds 3 is a decent mid-range TWS that suffers from being overshadowed by newer, better-value models in OnePlus's own lineup. The single driver, dated Bluetooth, short battery, and high gaming latency make it hard to justify at ₹4,999 when the Nord Buds 4 Pro at ₹3,999 offers superior everything. For OnePlus loyalists who find the Buds 3 on deep discount, it's a functional choice. For everyone else, the Nord Buds 4, Nord Buds 4 Pro, or Buds 4 offer significantly better value.
Rating: 3.25/5
Pros
- + Polished HeyMelody App Ecosystem — Intuitive EQ, firmware updates, and seamless OnePlus integration.
- + Decent ANC Performance — Up to 49dB ANC effectively reduces ambient noise.
- + Balanced Sound Signature — Clear mids, decent highs, and controlled bass.
- + Reliable Build Quality — Solid plastic construction with satisfying case hinge.
- + Dual Device Connection — Seamlessly switch between two devices.
- + Fast Charging — 10 minutes delivering 5 hours for quick top-ups.
Cons
- − Single Driver Feels Dated — 10.4mm single driver outclassed by dual-driver competitors at similar prices.
- − Short Battery Life — 28 hours total is significantly shorter than 52-55 hour competitors.
- − Bluetooth 5.3 Is Dated — Newer competitors offer 5.4 or 6.1 with better stability and efficiency.
- − 94ms Gaming Latency — Nearly double the 47ms of newer competitors; noticeable lag for competitive gaming.
- − No LHDC or Hi-Res Audio — Limited to AAC/SBC at ₹5,000.
- − Overpriced Compared to Newer Models — Nord Buds 4 Pro at ₹3,999 offers superior everything.
Verdict
The OnePlus Buds 3 is a decent mid-range TWS that suffers from being overshadowed by newer, better-value models in OnePlus's own lineup. The single driver, dated Bluetooth, short battery, and high gaming latency make it hard to justify at ₹4,999 when the Nord Buds 4 Pro at ₹3,999 offers superior everything. For OnePlus loyalists who find the Buds 3 on deep discount, it's a functional choice. For everyone else, the Nord Buds 4, Nord Buds 4 Pro, or Buds 4 offer significantly better value.
6.5
Overall
Score
Score
Spec Comparison
Side-by-side vs alternatives| Spec | ★ OnePlus Buds 3 | OPPO Enco Buds 3 Pro Plus | OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z | boAt Airdopes 800 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Battery Life
|
~10 hrs earbuds, 28 hrs total with case | 50 Hours | 40 Hours | 40 Hours |
|
Driver Size
|
10.4mm Dynamic Driver | 12.4mm | 12.4mm | 12.4mm |
|
Noise Cancellation
|
Up to 49dB | 32dB Active Noise Cancellation | No | No (ENx only) |
|
Bluetooth
|
5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 |
|
Water Resistance
|
IP55 | IP55 | IP55 | IPX5 |
|
Audio Codec
|
AAC, SBC | SBC, AAC | AAC, SBC | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
|
Case Battery
|
520mAh | ~43 hours total (ANC off) | N/A (Neckband) | ~40 hours total |
|
Weight
|
~4.7g per earbud, 40g total | 37.8g (case), 4.2g per bud | ~28g | ~45g (case) |
|
Microphone
|
3 mics per bud, AI Call Noise Cancellation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
|
Low Latency
|
94ms | Yes (47ms) | Yes | 50ms low latency mode |
|
Type
|
In-Ear TWS | In-Ear TWS | In-Ear Neckband | In-Ear TWS |
|
Connectivity
|
Wireless | Wireless | Wireless | Wireless |
|
Noise Cancel
|
Yes (Up to 49dB) | Yes (32dB Active Noise Cancellation) | No | Yes |
|
Best For
|
You want a proven OnePlus TWS, You value HeyMelody app, You prefer balanced sound, You want decent ANC under ₹5,000, You want dual device connectivity, You find it on sale below ₹4,000 | Best Value | Warp Charge | Good Bass |
★ Highlighted column = this product