In the competitive market for true wireless earbuds, where premium features often come with high price tags, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3R stand out as an affordable option that doesn’t compromise on essential qualities. Priced at ₹1,599 in India, these earbuds fall into the ultra-budget segment and compete directly with products like the OPPO Enco Buds 3 Pro and Realme Buds T300. They also showcase OnePlus’s commitment to delivering value-packed technology. While you won’t find the advanced features offered by flagship models such as the Sony WF-1000XM5, the Nord Buds 3R are perfect for students, commuters, or anyone looking to enjoy true wireless sound without overspending. Let’s take a closer look.
Design and Build
The first impressions of the OnePlus Nord Buds 3R are that they are budget-friendly while still showcasing premium qualities. The charging case has a compact design with rounded edges and a matte finish. It is about the size of a matchbox, making it easy to carry, and weighs around 45 grams. The sturdy plastic construction helps resist fingerprints and minor scuffs better than glossy competitors. The lid opens with a satisfying magnetic snap, revealing the earbuds securely fit in a cradle, no wobbly hinges here, unlike cheaper alternatives.
The earbuds themselves are lightweight, weighing just 4.5 grams each, and feature an ergonomic stem design that is reminiscent of higher-end OnePlus models, such as the Buds 4. They come with soft silicone tips available in three sizes (small, medium, and large), ensuring a secure and comfortable fit for extended periods, whether you’re jogging or enjoying a podcast. I tested them while traveling, and they remained in place without slipping. The IP55 dust and water resistance rating performed well against sweat and light rain, making them suitable for workouts at this price point.
The stems include touch controls that facilitate intuitive single, double, and triple taps for playback, volume adjustments, and calls. Long presses toggle different modes. While the controls are generally responsive, the single taps can feel overly sensitive at times, occasionally causing tracks to skip mid-stride.
Although there is no wireless charging or elaborate LED matrix, the practical design features a subtle battery indicator on the case and a Type-C port for easy charging. One minor drawback is the absence of a dedicated pairing button; resetting for a new device requires navigating through a somewhat complicated app process, which may frustrate non-tech-savvy users. However, the inclusion of Google Fast Pair for Android makes the initial setup straightforward on compatible phones.
Performance and Audio
The Nord Buds 3r excel in providing engaging audio that isn’t overwhelming, completed by thoughtful features that enhance everyday use. At their core are 12.4mm dynamic drivers with a titanium-coated diaphragm, offering a frequency response range of 20Hz to 20kHz, 112dB sensitivity, and 32Ω impedance. These specifications contribute to a punchy and detailed sound at an affordable price.
The default tuning highlights bass, thanks to the BassWave enhancement, allowing electronic tracks like The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” to deliver deep, rumbling lows without muddying the mids. Vocals in Bollywood hits or podcasts are crisp and prominent, while the highs are bright without harsh sibilance; even at maximum volume, distortion is absent, a point confirmed by testers across various genres.
Customization is a standout feature through the Sound Master EQ in the HeyMelody app (or native Bluetooth settings on OnePlus devices). It offers three presets: Balanced, Serenade (focused on vocals), and Bass, catering to different listening preferences. Additionally, there is a 6-band equalizer for precise adjustments. I enhanced the mids for acoustic sessions and increased the treble for classical music, unlocking versatility that rivals more expensive earbuds.
Spatial audio support provides a 360-degree immersive experience with OnePlus 3D Audio, transforming stereo tracks into a more expansive soundstage. Subtle head-tracking on compatible apps enhances the cinematic feel of movies, although it doesn’t match the capabilities of Dolby Atmos.
The standout feature is Instant AI Translation, which is a game-changer for travelers or multilingual conversations. You can activate it by tapping a button, speaking in one language (like English), and it will translate in real-time to another language (Hindi, for example, worked excellently in tests, achieving about 90% accuracy with slow speech). The response time is quick, under 2 seconds, thanks to cloud processing, though it requires a stable internet connection and may feel cumbersome in rapid-fire conversations.
Battery
The battery life of the Nord Buds 3R truly demonstrates its value, living up to OnePlus’s claims. Each earbud is equipped with a 58mAh battery, providing up to 12 hours of continuous playback at 50% volume. In real-world tests, they delivered around 10 hours during mixed usage, including music, calls, and podcasts. When placed back in the 560mAh charging case, you can expect a total playtime of 54 hours, or approximately 45 hours in practical use, especially with EQ adjustments and latency mode activated. For talk time, the earbuds offer 7 hours individually and 30 hours when using the case.
Fast charging is a convenient feature; just 10 minutes of charging provides 8 hours of playback, which is perfect for those busy mornings when you might forget to charge them. The case can be fully recharged in under an hour via a Type-C connection, and TÜV certification ensures durability for over 1,000 cycles. While there is no wireless charging option, this is a minor drawback given the price point. After a week of heavy use, including workouts, commuting, and evening use, I only needed to recharge the case twice, showcasing impressive stamina that keeps you free from cords longer than many competitors.
Verdict
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3r have some drawbacks, such as the absence of active noise cancellation, touch sensitivity issues, and a lack of high-resolution audio codecs. However, they deliver great value for their price of ₹1,799.
The positives include outstanding battery life, balanced yet bass-rich audio with a good equalizer, IP55 water and dust resistance, and useful AI features like translation. For casual listeners, gym-goers, or budget travelers, they are an excellent choice. If you need noise cancellation, consider the Nord Buds 3 for ₹2,299. Otherwise, the 3r offers a premium experience at an affordable price, proving that quality can be accessible.