OnePlus has finally decided to enter the true wireless earbud market with its first offering, which I'm not sure is exactly what you're looking for. The OnePlus Buds have some interesting features… and also some qualities that detract from the overall experience. Get comfortable, and I'll explain everything (video included). Let's go.
The OnePlus Buds on video
A matter of ergonomics
OnePlus was already late in launching its own wireless headphones and has finally decided to take the plunge with these OnePlus Buds, a model that costs no less than 89 euros. Is it really worth investing in them?
To answer this simple question, we need to look at all the details. The first thing that catches your eye, and you'll have seen it in the pictures, is its design , especially the color. The Buds are available in black, white, and an original blue/lime green combination that you'll either love or hate. Personally, I don't dislike it. It's true that it deviates from the classic colors for this type of gadget, but it's still a different option, and that (generally speaking) is always welcome.
Its matte plastic case has a rounded shape and a very pleasant feel thanks to its smooth finish. It comes with the typical pairing button on the back and a USB-C port for charging, along with a mini cable in OnePlus's signature red color—I understand OnePlus wanted to maintain that "touch," but it would have been nice if they were the same blue as the earbuds.
Once the case is opened, we find the typical stick design that Apple popularized with its AirPods a few years ago. They have a flat, quite distinct area, which is the touch area for gesture control, and ultimately they sport that rigid, somewhat risky design that may or may not fit well in your ear.
In my case, this type of design is comfortable for short periods but not for long ones, as in those cases I always prefer a model with ear cushions that don't put pressure on certain points of the ear. Do they fall out? Well, just like my AirPods don't fall out, these also stay in place quite well, but again, it's a very subjective aspect and will depend on the shape of your ear.
Sound quality and performance
As for the sound quality, I'm very pleased. I think they have a powerful and well-balanced sound , with a microphone that also performs more than adequately. In this respect, you'll hardly find any fault with them.
Pairing them with an Android smartphone is quite quick, as they'll be detected in just a few seconds. Unfortunately, once connected, there's not much else you can do with your phone. And here lies one of their biggest drawbacks: their control options . If you have a OnePlus, you're all set. You'll have access to a control panel that, while not particularly extensive (we've seen more comprehensive ones), allows you to control at least the essentials, such as sound quality, activate the earbud search function, configure what each gesture performs (although be aware that it's always two taps; it doesn't accept single taps or swipes), and check the battery level of both each earbud and their charging case.
However, if you pair them with any other Android device , virtually none of the options I've described will be available. Everything is much more limited , to the point that I can't even configure the gestures' functions, having to settle for the default ones: two taps on the right earbud to skip tracks and two on the left to pause or resume playback. This happens because there's no dedicated app developed for the headphones, meaning that when paired with a non-OnePlus phone, the default options displayed in the Android preferences menu are far more limited.
At least they're quite responsive. Whether you're changing tracks or removing an earbud, the response is immediate. They're also sweat and water resistant and largely live up to the manufacturer's battery life promise : OnePlus claims they last 7 hours, and in my tests, I got almost six and a half hours without needing to recharge. It's a shame they don't have wireless charging, something I personally like to find in these types of devices, and for me, it's a major omission in these earbuds.
But speaking of absences… noise cancellation is a real drawback. These Buds don't have any noise cancellation system, so isolation is nonexistent. This might not be a problem if you're going to use them in environments where you prefer to be aware of your surroundings at all times, but if that's not the case, it will definitely be something that bothers you about these Buds.
Is it worth your purchase?
Given today's fierce competition, I'd say they're not exactly the first option that should come to mind, especially if you don't have a OnePlus phone. If to the fact that they do not have their own app for Android phones, we add that they do not have noise cancellation and that their design may not fully adapt to your ear, their 89 euros cost too much.
Our recommendation is that if you truly value certain premium features , you should increase your budget and ensure you get the best in the high-end range. However, if you're not particularly demanding when it comes to this type of device and simply want true wireless earbuds that perform well and sound good, there are several lower-priced options on the market that will surely offer the same performance as these Buds without costing you nearly €90. Ultimately, as always, the decision is yours.
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