First Impressions
I got my hands on the OnePlus Nord Buds 3r after hearing about the massive 54‑hour battery claim. The ash‑black case felt solid, and the earbuds slid comfortably into my ears without the usual pressure points I’ve experienced with other true‑wireless models.
Key Features
- Battery life: A full charge gave me roughly 52 hours of music before I needed to top up, and a 10‑minute quick charge added about 8 hours – exactly what the spec sheet promised.
- Sound: The 12.4 mm titanium‑coated drivers produced a surprisingly deep bass for such a small driver, while mids stayed clear and highs were crisp. I could hear the subtle details in classical pieces and the punch in rock tracks.
- AI call noise cancellation: During a windy walk, the two‑mic system filtered out most background hiss. My voice sounded natural on the other end, and the wind‑reduction algorithm worked better than the standard ANC on many budget buds.
- AI translation: With a single tap, the buds activated OnePlus’s translation mode. It worked well for short phrases in Spanish, but it required the OnePlus companion app and a stable internet connection.
- Dual‑device connectivity: I paired the buds to my phone and laptop at the same time. Switching audio from a Zoom call to a YouTube video was seamless – the buds remembered which device was active.
- Low latency: In a fast‑paced shooter game, the 47 ms latency felt negligible. There was no noticeable audio lag between my actions and the sound effects.
Pros
- Exceptional battery life with fast‑charge support.
- Rich, balanced sound thanks to the titanium‑coated drivers.
- Effective AI‑driven call noise cancellation, even in windy conditions.
- Convenient dual‑device pairing and Google Fast Pair.
- Low‑latency mode makes them suitable for gaming.
Cons
- AI translation only works smoothly with OnePlus phones; limited on other Android or iOS devices.
- No active noise cancellation (ANC) for passive ambient noise.
- The touch controls are a bit sensitive – sometimes a light tap registers as a double‑tap.
- While the case is sturdy, it doesn’t have a built‑in speaker for easy location.
Overall, the Nord Buds 3r feel like a premium offering at a budget‑friendly price. The battery life alone convinced me to keep them as my daily drivers, and the sound quality exceeded my expectations for the price tier. If you own a OnePlus phone and can take advantage of the translation feature, they become even more attractive. At ₹ 1,747 they’re hard to pass up – I’d recommend checking the current price and giving them a try if you value long listening sessions, clear calls, and low‑latency gaming.