With the new OnePlus Buds Pro 3, OnePlus has reached the pinnacle of its craft: these are practically flawless earbuds, highly recommended for OnePlus smartphone users but also for others.
As with all excellent products, that pairs perfectly with the new OnePlus 13 (read our review here).
OnePlus Buds Pro 3: our tops&flops
With this third edition, OnePlus has hit the mark. The earbuds are lightweight, aesthetically pleasing, but most importantly, they have everything you need. They are the perfect match for the OnePlus 13 (in fact, I think they should be bought together, and there are occasional deals for that), but they also work well with a computer—I use them paired with my Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, my tireless travel companion. It’s clear that these are versatile earbuds, capable of multiple simultaneous pairings, making them ideal for those who frequently work on the go, like me. Only with the iPhone does the quality drop significantly, and I’m not sure who’s to blame.
The customization possibilities are practically endless, and the collaboration with Dynaudio (something to be proud of, whether you’re Danish or a lover of Denmark) makes everything perfect. The noise cancellation is incredible for a pair of true wireless earbuds, enhancing their comfort, and as always, the charging cables are outstanding. Perhaps the transparency mode could work a bit better—but maybe that will be fixed with a future update.
- Excellent audio quality with dual DAC and Hi-Res codec
- Good ANC (Active Noise Cancellation)
- Great microphones
What we don’t like
- Gestures don’t work good always;
- Transparency mode could be improved
- Short charging cable
Prices in Scandinavia
Build and ergonomics
The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 feature a refreshed design, particularly in their charging case: the case now opens vertically and boasts a premium finish. The front and back surfaces are covered in faux leather with a hammered texture, which is both visually appealing and pleasant to the touch.
The earbuds themselves have a dual finish: matte white (or black) on the earbud head and glossy silver on the stems. Attention to detail is evident, especially in the touch-sensitive areas for volume control, which feature micro-engravings that provide tactile feedback when swiped.
In terms of shape and design, OnePlus sticks to a winning formula: just like the previous models, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 are extremely comfortable and lightweight, among the most comfortable in-ear earbuds available.
Lastly, the earbuds are resistant to dust and water, with an IP55 certification.
The Dynaudio Touch
Once again, as we said, OnePlus has partnered with Dynaudio for the sound profile, a collaboration that has become well-established across various OnePlus and Oppo headphone models. Dynaudio has not only fine-tuned the audio but also optimized the hardware, making it particularly impressive.
The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 feature dual drivers (an 11mm driver dedicated to bass and a 6mm driver for treble) with refinements over the previous model. More notably, each earbud has a dual DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter), a rare choice in consumer earbuds. One DAC is dedicated to bass, and the other to treble, allowing for more precise sound processing across different frequencies.
The result is exceptional audio with high detail and excellent balance across the frequency spectrum. The default equalization profile has a slight V-shape, enhancing bass and treble, but overall, the sound is dynamic and enjoyable. The HeyMelody app offers five preset sound profiles developed with Dynaudio, along with a six-band equalizer for further customization.
The app also includes a BassWave feature that enhances bass, adjustable from -5 to +5. Additionally, the Golden Sound function optimizes audio based on the user’s hearing sensitivity. Activating it requires a short test (around three minutes), where users adjust volume levels for different frequencies. Once completed, the difference is noticeable, with more details becoming perceptible.
Connectivity
The earbuds support Bluetooth 5.4, ensuring a stable and flawless connection with no dropouts. The LHDC 5.0 codec (available only on Android) is included, alongside standard SBC and AAC codecs. LHDC is a high-resolution codec with variable bitrate, natively supported by Oppo, OnePlus, Huawei, Vivo, and Redmi smartphones (and potentially other Android 10+ devices).
The multipoint connection feature allows simultaneous pairing with two devices, while Fast Pair enables quick pairing with Android smartphones.
Active Noise Cancellation, App, and Features
The ANC is impressive for this kind of earbuds. .
Through the HeyMelody app, users can choose between three ANC levels (Mild, Moderate, Max) or enable Smart Mode, which adjusts ANC intensity based on ambient noise. According to OnePlus, the Buds Pro 3 can reduce environmental noise by up to -50 dB.
The Transparency Mode is effective but not flawless. It naturally reproduces external sounds but introduces a slight artificial hiss in quiet environments.
The HeyMelody app is available on both Android and iOS. It offers a comprehensive set of features.
From the app, users can:
- Adjust ANC and Transparency Mode
- Customize the sound profile (choosing from five presets or setting up a custom EQ)
- Enable Golden Sound
- Perform a Fit Test to ensure proper ear tip fit
- Activate Game Mode (reduces latency for gaming)
- Configure Spatial Audio
Spatial Audio, powered by Google’s technology, creates a surround sound effect, making it seem as if audio is coming from external speakers rather than the earbuds. It can be set to Fixed Mode (consistent effect regardless of head movement) or Head Tracking Mode, where the sound direction changes with head movements. While it works well for movies and games, the effect can be hit-or-miss with music.
Controls
The controls rely on stem squeezing, similar to AirPods Pro. This method is more reliable than touch controls and avoids the discomfort of pressing physical buttons inside the ear. Additionally, swipe gestures on the stem allow for volume adjustments, a welcome feature.
The controls are well-executed, responding promptly with clear audio feedback. They can be customized in the app, but the default configuration is:
- Single press: Play/Pause
- Double press: Next track
- Triple press: Voice Assistant
- Long press: Toggle ANC/Transparency Mode
A proximity sensor automatically pauses playback when an earbud is removed and resumes it when both are back in place.
Battery Life
Battery performance is solid and comparable to other premium models. OnePlus claims:
- 6 hours with ANC on, 10 hours with ANC off
- Up to 43 hours of total battery life with the charging case (ANC off)
The case supports fast charging, providing 5 hours of playback with just 10 minutes of charging. Wireless charging is also available, but the charging coil is positioned at the front of the case—an unusual placement.
Microphone Quality
The microphones perform well, thanks in part to the Voice Pickup Unit (VPU), an accelerometer that tracks jaw movement to enhance voice isolation. The call quality is consistently clear, even in noisy environments, though the algorithm prioritizes noise suppression, which sometimes makes voices sound slightly muffled.
