OnePlus Buds 4 Review — Best Mid-Range TWS with Dual Drivers and 55dB ANC

How the OnePlus Buds 4 Fit Into the Mid‑Range TWS Landscape

The sub‑₹6,000 true‑wireless segment has become a battleground where manufacturers pack flagship‑grade specifications into increasingly affordable packages. The OnePlus Buds 4 arrives as the direct successor to the standard‑line Buds 3, inheriting many of the Pro model’s headline features — most notably the 55 dB adaptive ANC and the dual‑driver acoustic architecture — while keeping the price comfortably below the ₹6,000 ceiling. This positioning makes the Buds 4 a compelling alternative to the more expensive OnePlus Buds Pro 2 and to rival offerings from brands such as Sony, Samsung and Nothing, which typically charge ₹7,000‑₹9,000 for comparable ANC depth and high‑resolution codec support.

What to Look For in a Mid‑Range TWS Pair

• Active noise cancellation depth: Anything above 45 dB is considered class‑leading for this price tier; the Buds 4’s 55 dB figure sets a new benchmark.
• Driver configuration: Dual‑driver setups (woofer + tweeter) generally deliver better frequency separation than single‑driver designs.
• Codec support: LHDC 5.0, LDAC or aptX Adaptive enable high‑resolution streaming on compatible Android devices.
• Battery endurance: A total playtime of 40 hours or more with ANC on is a practical baseline for daily commuters.
• Multipoint connectivity: Simultaneous pairing to two devices adds convenience for users who switch between phone and laptop.
• App ecosystem: A companion app that offers EQ customisation, ANC profiles and firmware updates extends the product’s usable life.

Design, Build Quality and Comfort

The Buds 4 retain the stemmed silhouette that OnePlus has used since the original Buds Pro, but the chassis is noticeably bulkier. Each earbud weighs 4.73 g, a figure that is on the heavier side for in‑ear models and contributes to the “chunky” feel highlighted in the cons list. The matte NCVM coating on the charging case gives a premium tactile impression, yet the surface is slippery, making one‑handed opening a little precarious. Three sizes of silicone ear tips are bundled; users with smaller ear canals may need to experiment with third‑party tips to achieve a secure seal, which is critical for both ANC performance and bass response.

Active Noise Cancellation – Real‑World Performance

The headline 55 dB ANC figure is achieved through a real‑time adaptive algorithm that recalibrates up to 800 times per second. In practice this translates to very effective suppression of low‑frequency drone — such as aircraft cabin noise or metro rumble — while mid‑range chatter is attenuated to a level that makes conversation barely audible. The adaptive mode automatically switches between “Max”, “Moderate” and “Light” profiles depending on ambient sound pressure, which helps preserve battery life without manual intervention. A dedicated “Transparency” mode pipes external sound through the microphones with natural tonality, useful for quick announcements or crossing streets.

Sound Quality – Dual‑Driver Architecture in Detail

The 11 mm dynamic woofer handles frequencies below roughly 1 kHz, delivering weighty, controlled bass that does not bleed into the midrange. The 6 mm planar‑magnetic‑style tweeter takes over the upper mids and treble, providing air and detail that single‑driver buds often lack. The result is a soundstage that feels wider than the physical enclosure suggests, with clear instrument separation on complex tracks. The frequency response claim of 15 Hz‑40 kHz exceeds the typical audible range, and while the extreme ends are more marketing than perceptible, the extended treble does contribute to a sense of openness.

LHDC 5.0 support enables bitrates up to 1 Mbps at 24‑bit/96 kHz on compatible OnePlus, Oppo and Xiaomi handsets, delivering a noticeable improvement over standard SBC or AAC streams. For users on other Android phones, the buds fall back to AAC, which still sounds competent but lacks the last layer of refinement. The Golden Sound feature runs a short hearing test in the HeyMelody app and applies a personalised EQ curve; the effect is subtle but can compensate for age‑related high‑frequency roll‑off.

Gaming Latency and Pro Gaming Mode

A dedicated low‑latency mode reduces end‑to‑end delay to 47 ms, a figure that places the Buds 4 among the fastest TWS options for competitive mobile gaming. In titles such as Call of Duty Mobile or BGMI the audio‑visual sync is tight enough that gunfire and footsteps align with on‑screen action without perceptible lag. The mode is toggled via a triple‑tap gesture (customisable in the app) or automatically when a game is detected on OnePlus devices running OxygenOS 14 or later.

Call Quality – Three‑Mic AI Noise Cancellation

Each earbud houses three MEMS microphones fed into an AI‑trained noise‑suppression engine. In noisy cafés or windy outdoor environments the caller’s voice remains intelligible, with background chatter reduced to a faint murmur. The algorithm occasionally over‑processes, imparting a slight “digital” texture to the voice, but this is a common trade‑off in this price class and rarely impairs comprehension.

Battery Life, Charging and Fast‑Charge Realities

The quoted 45 hours of total playback (ANC on) is achieved with the case providing roughly four full top‑ups. In mixed usage — ANC on for commuting, transparency for office hours, occasional gaming — real‑world endurance settles around 38‑40 hours, which still comfortably covers a work week. The 10‑minute fast charge delivering 11 hours of listening is a standout convenience; a quick coffee break can rescue a dead pair for an entire day. The absence of wireless charging is a deliberate cost‑saving measure; the case charges via USB‑C at up to 5 V/2 A.

Controls, App Experience and OnePlus‑Exclusive Features

Touch controls cover playback, ANC cycling, volume (via swipe) and voice‑assistant activation. The finicky behaviour reported in the cons — missed taps and accidental triggers — is largely a consequence of the relatively small touch surface on the stem. Sensitivity can be tuned in the HeyMelody app, but the learning curve remains steeper than on rivals that use larger capacitive areas or physical buttons. OnePlus‑only features such as AI Translation, Find My Buds (via the Find My Device network) and seamless device switching across OnePlus phones, tablets and watches add tangible value for ecosystem loyalists but are unavailable on other Android skins.

Spatial Audio and Content Compatibility

OnePlus 3D Spatial Audio creates a virtualised surround effect by applying head‑tracking data (when paired with a OnePlus phone equipped with a gyroscope) to supported video apps such as Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar and YouTube. The effect is convincing for movies with Dolby Atmos mixes, though the lack of a dedicated head‑tracking sensor on the buds themselves limits precision compared to Apple’s AirPods Pro implementation.

Alternatives Worth Considering

• OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro (₹3,999): Offers a very similar dual‑driver layout and 48 dB ANC for two‑thirds the price; sacrifices LHDC 5.0 and the 55 dB ANC peak.
• Nothing Ear (2) (≈₹5,999): Distinctive transparent design, 45 dB ANC, LHDC support and wireless charging — a strong style‑focused rival.
• Sony WF‑C700N (≈₹5,490): Excellent ANC for the price, LDAC codec, but single‑driver sound and no multipoint.
• Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro (≈₹7,999): Superior ANC and 360 Audio, but exceeds the ₹6,000 budget.

Buying Tips for Indian Shoppers

• Check for ongoing bank‑card offers on Amazon India, Flipkart or the OnePlus online store; a 5‑10 % instant discount often brings the effective price below ₹5,500.
• If you already own a OnePlus phone running OxygenOS 14, the exclusive features (AI Translation, seamless switching) become a decisive advantage.
• Purchase a set of memory‑foam tips (e.g., Comply or SpinFit) if the stock silicone tips feel loose; a better seal improves both ANC and bass.
• Register the product on the OnePlus Care app within 30 days to activate the 12‑month warranty and receive firmware‑update notifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does the OnePlus Buds 4 support wireless charging? No. The charging case only accepts wired USB‑C charging.
• Can I use LHDC 5.0 on a non‑OnePlus phone? LHDC 5.0 works on any Android device that implements the codec (selected Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo models). On other phones the buds fall back to AAC.
• Is the 55 dB ANC figure measured in a lab or real world? The 55 dB rating is a laboratory maximum; real‑world attenuation typically lands in the high‑40 dB range, still class‑leading for this segment.
• How does the gaming mode affect battery life? Enabling the 47 ms low‑latency mode adds roughly 5‑8 % extra drain because the Bluetooth controller stays in a higher‑power state.
• Are the earbuds IP rated? The buds carry an IP55 rating (dust‑protected and water‑jet resistant); the case is not rated.
• Can I use a single earbud in mono mode? Yes, removing one bud from the case automatically switches to mono playback with full ANC functionality.

Final Assessment – Should You Buy the OnePlus Buds 4?

The OnePlus Buds 4 delivers a feature set that punches well above its ₹5,999 price tag. The 55 dB adaptive ANC, dual‑driver acoustic engine, LHDC 5.0 support and 47 ms gaming latency are specifications usually reserved for earbuds priced ₹8,000 and above. Compromises — no wireless charging, a slightly unwieldy stem design and touch controls that demand a learning period — are acceptable trade‑offs for the majority of buyers who prioritise audio performance and noise cancellation over convenience extras.

For OnePlus ecosystem users the decision is straightforward: the Buds 4 unlock exclusive software features and integrates seamlessly with OxygenOS, making them the logical upgrade from any previous OnePlus TWS model. For platform‑agnostic buyers, the value proposition remains strong, especially when the frequent online discounts are factored in. If budget is the primary constraint, the Nord Buds 4 Pro at ₹3,999 captures roughly 90 % of the audio and ANC experience for 66 % of the cost, but it forgoes the highest ANC tier and LHDC 5.0.

Rating: 4.25/5