OnePlus Buds Pro 3 First Impressions: I'm Ditching my AirPods Pro!

Introduction

Yesterday, I had the chance to get my hands on the OnePlus Buds Pro 3, and I’m excited to share my first impressions. I’ve been looking for alternatives to my first-generation AirPods Pro, as I’ve started to grow weary of their design and performance.

Design and Build Quality

First off, let’s talk about design. The all-plastic feel of my AirPods Pro has become bothersome; they just feel cheap in comparison. I was searching for earbuds that have a more premium feel, ideally with metal components. The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 deliver on that front. They look fantastic and feel solid in hand, which is a huge plus for me. If you prefer understated designs, these may not be your cup of tea, but I personally love the look.

The case for the OnePlus Buds is slightly heavier than the AirPods Pro case, but rather than viewing it as a downside, I appreciate the extra heft—it enhances the premium feel of the product.

Sound Quality

Now to the sound quality. I’m not an audiophile, so I won't dive deep into technical terms, but I can confidently say the sound experience is phenomenal. The bass on the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 is much stronger than what I've been accustomed to with my AirPods Pro. I often found myself cranking the volume up high on my AirPods, but with these, I usually listen at around 60% volume due to their louder output.

Additionally, I've noticed distinct instrument separation that I previously missed while using my AirPods Pro. However, I did find that human voices weren’t as pronounced in the default balanced mode. That said, I got used to it quickly, and the audio quality is still incredibly impressive.

Active Noise Cancelling

Active noise cancelling (ANC) is also a significant concern for me, and the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 deliver here too. While I was hoping for them to surpass the AirPods Pro in this regard, they hold their own pretty well. At the gym, I found that while I could still hear background noise when not playing music, once I hit play, I was immersed completely.

Microphone Quality

Another feature that’s often overlooked is the microphone quality. Many earbuds may excel in sound quality but fail when it comes to voice clarity. After watching reviews, I was hopeful about the microphone capabilities of the OnePlus Buds Pro 3, and so far, they have not disappointed.

Battery Life and Charging

I haven't had the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 long enough to fully evaluate the battery life yet, but I plan to keep using them over the upcoming week. I will definitely provide a more comprehensive review later, but I can already tell they check all my boxes: wireless charging, USB-C compatibility, and a beautiful design.

At a price point of $ 159 (with a discount), these earbuds are significantly cheaper than the AirPods Pro, which retail at around $ 250. Knowing I can charge my earbuds and my MacBook with the same cable is also a winning feature, given I plan to switch to the iPhone 16 Pro soon.

Additional Features

One useful feature worth noting is the Hey Melody app, compatible with both Android and iOS. The app allows you to customize the sound settings. It includes various presets, an EQ feature, spatial audio options, and a "Find My Earbuds" function, which is very handy.

Moreover, I appreciate the multi-point connectivity feature, which allows me to connect to both my iPhone and MacBook simultaneously without needing to switch manually.

In summary, I'm thrilled with my transition from AirPods Pro to OnePlus Buds Pro 3! With their standout features, impressive sound quality, and premium feel, I genuinely feel that OnePlus has nailed it with these earbuds.

Keyword

OnePlus Buds Pro 3, AirPods Pro, wireless charging, USB-C, sound quality, microphone quality, active noise cancelling, battery life, Hey Melody app, multi-point connectivity.

FAQ

1. What are the major features of the OnePlus Buds Pro 3?
The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 features wireless charging, USB-C compatibility, impressive sound quality with strong bass, good active noise cancelling, and customizable sound settings through the Hey Melody app.

2. How does the sound quality compare to the AirPods Pro?
The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 has significantly more powerful bass and a clearer audio experience with better instrument separation compared to the AirPods Pro.

3. Is the design of the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 better than that of AirPods Pro?
Many users, including myself, find the design of the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 to be more premium and visually appealing compared to the plastic feel of AirPods Pro.

4. What is the price difference between OnePlus Buds Pro 3 and AirPods Pro?
The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 is priced at around $ 179, but I purchased them for $ 159 with a discount, making them significantly cheaper compared to the AirPods Pro, which retail for around $ 250.

5. Do the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 have a good microphone quality?
Yes, the microphone quality of the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 is touted as being very good, making them suitable for meetings and calls.