OnePlus Buds 4 Review: The New Standard for Value ANC Earbuds

OnePlus Buds 4 have lastly made it to India in July this 12 months. And, they give the impression of being nothing like their predecessor. For the all-new Buds, OnePlus appears to have gone again to the drafting board and redesigned the complete product, slightly than utilizing the identical design and including some upgrades.

Its predecessor, the Buds 3, was launched in January 2024, so we are able to say OnePlus delayed the launch of the Buds 4 by a couple of months. However, this delay may very well be linked to maintaining the TWS launch in sync with the brand new Nord gadgets – the Nord 5 and Nord CE 5.

The neatest thing is that OnePlus has managed to maintain the value in test, maintaining it below Rs. 6,000. For comparability, the Buds have been launched in India final 12 months at Rs. 5,499. This means that OnePlus goals to take care of its market share within the sub-Rs. 6,000 TWS worth section with its non-Pro buds mannequin. On paper, the Buds 4 is crammed to the brim with options that you simply often get in a better worth section, so must you put money into these TWS? I attempt to reply that in my evaluate.

OnePlus Buds 4 Review: Design is chunky

• Dimensions: Earbuds – 31×20.6×4.2mm
• Charging case – 65.4×52.4×25.3mm
• Weight: Earbuds – 4.73g, charging case – 39.57g, and complete – 49g
• Colours: Zen Green and Storm Grey

The OnePlus Buds 4 look nothing like its predecessor, the Buds 3, and that is not a deal breaker in any manner. It takes some inspiration from the Buds Pro 3 and beforehand launched Nord TWS fashions. The minimalist design of the Buds 4 seems to be nice at first look, and the design change appears extra of an improve than the rest. The metallic texture with a matte end offers it a extra premium look. OnePlus says that it has used a non-conductive vacuum metallisation (NCVM) coating on the Buds 4 casing and buds. Additionally, the OnePlus engraving has been completed utilizing a CO2 laser. All of this makes the Buds 4 look fashionable, vibrant and complicated.

In the retail field, you get the Buds together with a charging case, Type-C Charging Cable, ear suggestions, person Manual, Safety and Warranty card

Available in Storm Grey and Zen Green colors, OnePlus has gone with a extra muted color selection that will look recent for an extended interval. For my evaluate, I acquired the Zen Green color mannequin, and it seems to be good. The case lid is simple to open with only one hand; nonetheless, resulting from its texture, it tends to turn out to be slippery when operated with one hand. The oval-shaped case feels chunky within the pocket and does not really feel as gentle to hold because the Buds 3.

The stem and ear tip designs are utterly revamped and, very like the case, are chunkier. The stem is thick and is simple to carry in comparison with the Buds 3’s stem. Thanks to a thicker stem design, OnePlus has added swipe gesture controls on the stem for adjusting quantity. You also can long-press on the stem to toggle between ANC and transparency modes. Additionally, you can even faucet on the stem to play, pause or skip tracks. Notably, you’ll be able to customise these settings within the HeyMelody app on non-OnePlus gadgets.

(*4*)

The earbuds are light-weight and weigh 4.73 grams every

Overall, the OnePlus Buds 4 provide a great, light-weight design for every day use. However, the design is a blended bag for me, as I desire the Buds 3 design over the oval-shaped Buds 4 design.

OnePlus Buds 4 Review: App help and specs

• App help: HeyMelody app (non-OnePlus gadgets)
• IP Rating: IP55-rated water and mud resistance
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4 (efficient distance 10m)

The OnePlus Buds 4 helps the HeyMelody app for non-OnePlus gadgets. If you are utilizing an OnePlus machine, you’ll have all app options constructed into the cellphone’s Bluetooth settings. The HeyMelody app is acquainted, and all of the OnePlus audio gadgets I’ve beforehand reviewed have used this app. The UI is easy, with choices for noise management upfront, alongside OnePlus 3D Audio and Sound Master equaliser settings, all only one faucet away. The Buds 4 help twin connection, which suggests it may possibly join to 2 gadgets on the similar time and might change between them simply.

The HeyMelody app additionally gives extra options, reminiscent of an earbud match check that checks whether or not the ear suggestions create a great seal along with your ear canal for improved noise cancellation. There’s additionally a Golden Sound characteristic accessible within the app that creates studio-quality sound customised to your ear canal construction and listening to traits. There’s additionally a devoted Game mode that syncs with audio and video on the machine to cut back sport lag for a smoother expertise.

In the field, the Buds 4 provide totally different ear tip sizes – S, M and L pairs with M being pre-installed

For ANC, the Buds 4 provide 4 settings: Noise Cancellation, Adaptive, Transparency, and Off. I most well-liked Adaptive throughout the evaluate and can talk about the standard in a bit. Out of all of the apps I’ve seen for varied TWS, the HeyMelody app has the perfect UI and can also be clutter-free, with pointless choices eliminated. It leans in the direction of a extra customized choice, which seems to be good and works in favour of the OnePlus audio merchandise.

Listing spotlight specs, the OnePlus Buds 4 get an 11mm woofer and a 6mm tweeter. It options IP55-rated water and mud resistance, and is designed for hard-core players, supporting 47ms ultra-low latency. It will get Bluetooth 5.4 and LHDC 5.0 help. It additionally options an AI Translation operate that works completely with a OnePlus smartphone. The Buds 4 additionally get Google Fast Pair and dual-device connection. For common calls, the TWS includes a triple microphone setup and a wind noise suppression operate within the background.

For non-OnePlus gadgets, HeyMelody is the companion app for each Android and iOS customers

OnePlus Buds 4 Review: Performance and battery life

• Drivers: 11mm woofer and 6mm tweeter
• Features: Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) with noise discount depth of as much as 55dB
• Codec help: LHDC 5.0 / AAC / SBC
• Battery Capacity: Earbuds – 62mAh and Charging Case – 530mAh

The Buds 4 provide probably the greatest ANC experiences on this worth bracket, setting a benchmark. OnePlus claims that the TWS can scale back noise by as much as 55dB and includes a broad frequency vary of 5500Hz. In real-world utilization, the Buds 4 do an incredible job of noise cancellation in varied background settings. Out of the three energetic ANC settings, Adaptive is the one which was my favorite throughout the evaluate and was good sufficient to adapt to the environment.

The Buds 4 help Google Fast Pair and dual-device connection

With ANC enabled and set to Adaptive, I might barely hear the fan and AC noise in my room. However, once I was speaking with somebody, I might nonetheless hearken to the particular person speaking to me with out having to unplug the buds—a really good implementation of the Adaptive setting on the Buds 4 by OnePlus. While commuting with ANC on was my default mixture throughout the evaluate, because it utterly suppresses ambient road noise. I can confidently say that the Buds 4 ANC’s efficiency was on par with that of the Buds 3 Pro, a higher-priced TWS.

Talking about sound high quality, the Buds 4 excel right here as properly, virtually. The TWS gives sufficient punch, depth and readability. The default equaliser setting is usually balanced, although barely leaning in the direction of bass. Testing tracks like Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody, which options advanced vocal harmonies and loads of devices, the Buds 4 does properly in dealing with quiet to loud transitions and in addition handles separation swiftly. Then, on Adele’s Someone Like You, the TWS manages to maintain the deal with vocal readability and refined nuances in her voice.

The charging case takes about 90 minutes to cost from 0 to 100%

Similarly, Don’t Know Why by Norah Jones has superbly recorded vocals and acoustic guitar. The Buds 4 handle to maintain the naturalness, heat, and element within the midrange. It, nonetheless, does not beat the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 or Realme Buds Air 7 Pro – each of which did higher. Lastly, I attempted a Hans Zimmer basic, Mountains from the Interstellar soundtrack, which gives orchestral items, and Buds 4 does properly with broad soundstages and good instrument separation. All in all, you will not be disillusioned by the sound high quality of the Buds 4, particularly contemplating these are TWS priced below Rs. 6,000.

The OnePlus Buds 4 are wonderful for calls and pack a great set of microphones. The voice is evident on calls when utilizing Buds 4, and the TWS can deal with a mildly noisy atmosphere promptly throughout calls while not having to modify to ANC manually. However, on the streets, you will hear background noise on the decision, and Buds don’t maintain every part effectively. For gaming, the TWS is sweet sufficient and handles latency as marketed.

The Buds 4 include an 11mm woofer and a 6mm tweeter

Coming to battery life, the Buds 4 is claimed to supply playback of as much as 11 hours on earbuds and when used with the case to as much as 45 hours with ANC off and 50% quantity. The battery efficiency drops to six hours on earbuds and as much as 24 hours with the case when ANC is on and at 50% quantity. In real-world utilization, the Buds 4 provide a strong battery life, permitting for as much as 7 hours of playback (with ANC on and at 50% quantity) with simply the earbuds and greater than 30 hours with the charging case. For these unaware, sticking to the AAC codec is nice for battery life whereas there’s LHDC help, however Buds 4 battery efficiency drops significantly.

It additionally will get fast-charging help with a 10-minute cost providing greater than 3 hours of playback. The charging case takes about 90 minutes to cost absolutely. Unfortunately, there isn’t any wi-fi charging help.

The charging case packs a 530mAh battery

OnePlus Buds 4 Review: Verdict

At Rs. 5,999, the OnePlus Buds 4 come out as a strong choice below Rs. 6,000. The TWS gives a complete set of options, and its conventional in-ear design supplies a extra comfortable match in comparison with the Buds 3 design. Additionally, the companion app helps options just like the Golden Sound expertise, the place customers can map their ear canals for a extra personalised audio expertise. The TWS gives a superb three-mic setup that is nice for calls. The battery life is implausible and constantly delivers good battery efficiency. The sound high quality is usually balanced and must be appreciated by shoppers on this worth bracket.

Of course, the design is one thing that may not be appreciated by all, and the contact gesture controls on the buds will not be intuitive for every day use, and at instances, might be irritating.

The Buds 4 is out there in Zen Green and Storm Grey colors

For alternate options, contemplate the TWS choices reminiscent of Nothing Ear, which gives a putting design and polished sound high quality. Realme Buds Air 7 Pro supplies a great design and thumping bass. You also can contemplate the Sony WF-C700N, which is barely expensive however gives a superb sound output.