There are as many different pairs of truly wireless Bluetooth earbuds as there are fish in the sea. I'm sure I have used this expression before, but it stands true — even more so — today. But few deliver well on all fronts, including comfort, brand reliability, sound quality, and the ability to fast charge.
OnePlus Nord Buds 3r embrace that rare combination for a tempting price of just ₹1,599. With proper touch controls, app-based customization, and even 360º surround audio, these are one of the more compelling earbuds in this segment.
But aggressive pricing alone does not establish them as the undisputed leader? Let
Nord Buds 3r get a design overhaul
The design of the OnePlus Nord Buds 3r is significantly improved over the 2r from last year. Both the earbuds and the case are now upgraded, ditching the older lilliputian shape into what looks more identical to the new OnePlus Buds 4.
The upgrade comes without ditching the lightweight frame from last year. And, OnePlus even introduces a new blue colour, which feels like a change over the drab black and white options.
The earbuds also stick well inside the ears and don't seem to get thrown out in activities like running, dancing, or even headbanging (as in my case).
Audio? Not bad
The audio on the OnePlus Buds Nord 3rd actually deserves some praise. The drivers appear to lack any physical upgrades — they still measure 12.4mm. But OnePlus claims they have titanized, which means they are now coated with a layer of titanium, which improves the diaphragm's response.
This reflects in hearing because the earbuds have clearer bass, precise notes, and good delivery for dialogues. Besides SBC, the earbuds also support AAC for slightly more nuanced audio.
However, I would have appreciated if they also came with LHDC, since it's open source and would have allowed for higher resolution.
Despite this lacking, the audio on the Nord Buds 3r is actually fairly enjoyable. It's not exactly the highest resolution, but it's not muffled either. I didn't notice any crackling at full volume, and I truly appreciate that.
There are audio presets but you can also use custom EQ option, which allows for more refinements if you don't like the defaults. I found the bass booster to be quite effective. While it did supress other frequecies slightly, it didn't overshadow them entirely.
Finally, I like 360º audio support. While it's fixed and does not rely on motion tracking, combining the option with OnePlus' Holo Audio makes the instruments more distinguishable, as if each sound is coming from a different direction.
Fast(er) charging
OnePlus practically birthed fast charging on audio products almost a decade ago. Now, every audio product benefits from this pedigree, and the Nord Buds 3r don't stay behind.
The case charges fully within 30 minutes, and so do the earbuds when placed back in the case when it's unplugged. Since there is no active noise cancellation or ANC, the earbuds have a longer battery backup.
After taking them out of the case, the earbuds last for about 7-8 hours of playback at about 70% volume. Since I tend to sleep wearing earbuds and need a constant hum of binaural beats to continue the sound sleep, I cherish the fact that they can last all night long without chiming for low battery, and consequently waking me up mid-sleep.
Touch controls are mostly good
I'm somewhat suprised to see OnePlus enable touch controls on the earbuds at this price point. And that is supplemented by the accuracy.
The touch response is almost instant and on-point. I didn't find any lag, be it with single taps, double taps, triple taps, or even long-presses. The single taps, especially are too sensitive, which is why I kept them off after testing them briefly.
As usual, OnePlus doesn't let you fully customize the controls — you can only enable the existing options or disable them entirely. But I'm glad I could long-press left or right earbuds to lower or enhance the volume.
It's unreasonable to expect earbuds at this price point to house proximity sensors and offer automatic play/pause when earbuds are removed or inserted back into the ear. However, I wish there was an option to assign play/pause to another combination of taps instead of single tap.
But if that's not a major requirement, you're unlikely to be bothered.
Why you should buy it
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3r is a good example of how tech trickles down from expensive and more premium options to more affordable ones.
The Nord Buds 3r are great for a limited budget, and even perfect for people who just want a backup up pair. They're available in India for ₹1,599.
If you increase your budget to ₹2,299, you can also get the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 with ANC. But if that's not an option, the Buds 3r are just as good of a value for money.
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