When OnePlus first pitched the idea of $49 wireless headphones, my expectations were at rock bottom. Well, I was wrong. These headphones are among the best I’ve tested.
But that’s mostly down to the fact that the true wireless stereo (TWS) market has grown over the past few years, and competing devices in this area cost around $180. So these headphones at 49 euros question. How many features have been removed to bring the price down so much?
After testing the Nord Buds last week, I understand better. At 49 euros, OnePlus is not fighting against the AirPods or the high-end offers from Samsung and Sony. The Nord Buds are inexpensive, no-frills accessories that stream good sound wirelessly.
Nord Buds Specifications
- Dimensions: 67.9mm x 35.5mm x 28.68mm (charging case)
- Charging case weight: 41.7g
- Headphone weight: 4.8g
- Titanium Speaker Size: 12.4mm
- Frequency response range: 20Hz – 20,000Hz
- Charging case battery: 480mAh
- Headphone battery: 41mAh
- Sustainability : water and sweat resistance (IP55)
- Connection: Bluetooth 5.2
- Bracket: Android and iOS, via the HeyMelody app
- Color : black slate and white marble
In 2020, OnePlus launched the first Nord smartphone. This device embodied the company’s return to its roots, when it produced fundamentally excellent technology at lower prices than the competition. These values remain true with the OnePlus Nord Buds at 49 euros.
I will try to restrain myself now from mentioning this price in this article. But if we rely solely on the technical data sheet, it is difficult to say where exactly OnePlus has made savings. The 12.4mm titanium speaker, frequency response range sweep, battery size, and even the IP55 rating are no compromises in any way. There’s also Bluetooth 5.2 for a low-power connection, a feature that OnePlus phone users can take advantage of by quickly pairing with the Nord Buds.
The Nord Buds unboxing experience doesn’t skimp on the means either. The headphones come charged in a cradle case, alongside a red USB-C cable, a user guide, three pairs of tips (small, medium and large) and a Nord sticker. There really is nothing more one could ask for.
Nord Buds design
The design of the OnePlus Nord Buds reminds me a lot of the Nothing Ear, except that they are not transparent. Each earbud is short-stemmed, with flat edges and silicone tips. The ear pads aren’t as thick and stuffy as the OnePlus Buds Z2 and Buds Pro, but do a functional job of holding the accessories in your ears. Naturally, they also form passive noise cancellation that is enough to attenuate (but not block) outside sounds during use.
Image: June Wan/ZDNet.
A total of four microphones are dispersed in the two buds. According to OnePlus, they help filter out unwanted background noise during calls. I’ll talk more about their effectiveness in the performance section. What impressed me the most was the metallic, circular touchpad that sits on the outer parts of the headphones. Believe it or not, there are plenty of wireless headphones on the market that don’t offer touch gestures. (The worst cost over $150.) So when I realized the Nord Buds had built-in touch controls, I was understandably blown away.
Picture: OnePlus.
The Nord Buds are housed in a cylindrical USB-C compatible charging case. The case isn’t the most compact I’ve seen. And it creates a noticeable bulge when tucked into jeans. It also doesn’t support wireless charging and doesn’t offer the same water and sweat resistance (IP55) as headphones, but those are features of another price point.
Nord Buds performance
OnePlus smartphones are naturally the best performers when it comes to interacting with the Nord Buds. Not only do they support quick pairing when you open the top of the case, there are a host of functions that can be changed in the phone’s Bluetooth settings app. On the OnePlus 10 Pro, I was able to change headphone controls, check for firmware updates, and even adjust Sound Master EQ settings.
Image: June Wan/ZDNet.
Other Android phones come in second, with access to similar functionality when you pair the Nord Buds through the HeyMelody app. If you have an iPhone, you can still use the iOS version of the app, but it has significant limitations, like no equalizer. Luckily, there are plenty of other headphones that are more optimized for iPhone users.
The lack of active noise cancellation may be another cause of rejection for some, but I found the sound quality of the Nord Buds to be decent. Right out of the box, the earphones pump out a very serious sound, with bass that covers most drums and vocals. Fans of electronic music or dance will appreciate this extra power.
But if you’re like me and prefer a more balanced playback, then the EQ is your best friend. After switching between OnePlus’ preset EQ profiles, I found “Bold” to be the best. Whether I’m listening to pop, rock, hip-hop or ballads, the vocals are dynamic and clear, and the instruments continue to generate thumping sounds that I can’t help but shake my head over.
The Nord Buds are also compatible with the Dolby Atmos system, which simulates the sounds of movies and songs to create an immersive, 3D-like experience.
Image: June Wan/ZDNet.
The main issue I have with the OnePlus Nord Buds is the sound quality from the mic. The lack of clarity and noise isolation causes your voice to sound muffled, much like a car radio when entering a tunnel.
As someone who uses wireless earbuds for video meetings and phone calls, it always left me feeling guilty when the person on the other end reacted to my first words with “Are you using a new mic? ? “. The difference compared to my phone’s microphone is so noticeable.
Nord Buds battery and charging
OnePlus claims the Nord Buds should last seven hours per charge, with the 480mAh charging case providing an additional 30 hours. In testing, I listened to an average of six hours of audio before having to put the Nord Buds back in the case. This number would be higher if I listened to, for example, low-quality music at about 20% volume during the working day.
I don’t mind those numbers, because the Nord Buds support what OnePlus calls “fast charging.” With a 10-minute charge, the earbuds can have five hours of listening time. It’s an impressive feat for 49 euros.
to summarize
The OnePlus Nord Buds are OnePlus at its best. They offer great audio performance, intuitive controls, and small features that add up to a package well worth its $49 price tag. The most notable issues with these headphones are poor mics, lack of iPhone-compatible features, and no active noise cancellation. But for that price, the Nord Buds are almost too easy to recommend.
You can pre-order the Nord Buds from May 31. They will be officially available from June 9.
To go further on this subject
Source: ZDNet.com