OnePlus has taken the wraps off of the OnePlus Buds Pro — its latest attempt at the true wireless earbud niche. In 2021, options for wireless earbuds are plentiful. Sony's WF-1000XM4 deliver unmatched sound quality and ANC, the Beats Studio Buds came out as a surprisingly great option for Android and iPhone owners alike, and Google's Pixel Buds A-Series are an excellent value for $99. Regardless of how much money's someone looking to spend, there's a pair of true wireless earbuds that'll fit the bill perfectly.
OnePlus first entered the true wireless earbud market in July 2020 with the aptly named OnePlus Buds. The OnePluds Buds delivered good battery life and IPX4 for just $79, but the rest of the experience was fairly lackluster. They didn't have wireless charging, active noise canceling, and the one-size-fits-all design could be quite uncomfortable for certain users. A few months later in November, the OnePlus Buds Z launched as a cheaper (and better) alternative to the original Buds. With proper ear tips, a more reliable IP55 rating, and a mere $50 price, the OnePlus Buds Z made it clear OnePlus had found its footing.
After trying its hand at mid and low-end earbuds, OnePlus has finally debuted its first flagship offering with the OnePlus Buds Pro. The resemblance to AirPods Pro is undeniable, but after looking past the less-than-original design, there's a lot to like about what OnePlus has created. The earbuds appear much more refined than previous models, there are customizable ear tips, and a square charging case that the Buds Pro rest in when not being used. Color options are limited to Matte Black and White, but both do look quite good.
The OnePlus Buds Pro Have Active Noise Canceling & Dolby Atmos
As one would expect from a pair of 'Pro' earbuds, the OnePlus Buds Pro come equipped with active noise cancellation. Each earbud has three microphones that work together to block up to 40dB of surrounding noise. OnePlus touts its ANC system as being a 'smart adaptive' one, saying it "intelligently drowns out unwanted sound frequencies in real time, such as environmental noise or chatter, adjusting the level of noise cancellation accordingly to keep users immersed." OnePlus further promises that call quality should be excellent, praising the earbuds' "enhanced noise reduction algorithms and a mechanical design to reduce wind noise."
Audio quality is also said to be just as impressive. The OnePlus Buds Pro have 11mm dynamic drivers for "rich treble" and "heart-pounding bass," along with a 'OnePlus Audio ID' feature that will automatically calibrate sound profiles based on what someone's listening to. Adding to that mix is Dolby Atmos support, ensuring OnePlus Buds Pro can take advantage of enhanced songs and videos that use the standard. Other highlights of the OnePlus Buds Pro include Bluetooth 5.2 for a (hopefully) reliable connection, up to 38 hours of total battery life including the case, a Pro Gaming mode to reduce latency, and support for Qi wireless charging.
All of this makes the OnePlus Buds Pro the most impressive earbuds from OnePlus to date. Naturally, that also means they're the most expensive. OnePlus is selling the Buds Pro for $149.99 in the U.S. with sales set to begin on September 1. While that is considerably more expensive than past entries in the OnePlus Buds family, this sounds like a compelling package for the price. If the noise canceling, audio quality, and battery life are as good as OnePlus says, the Buds Pro could be one of the best earbud options under $150. That verdict can't be made until some hands-on time is spent with OnePluds Buds Pro, but at least from a distance, they look very promising.
Source: OnePlus