OnePlus Nord Buds 3r launched in India as the brand’s new entry-level true wireless earphones (TWS), priced at Rs 1,799. The main attention areas are long battery and bass sound. The earphone also features a 12.4mm dual driver setup, pre-tuned EQ presets, OnePlus 3D Audio compatibility with select OnePlus smartphones, 47ms low latency (in Game Mode), touch controls, and AI call noise cancellation. Therefore, it is designed for users who want a feature-packed earphone without straining their budget. But, should you consider it? Are there any corners cut, and most importantly, how good do the OnePlus earphone sounds for the asking price? Let’s find out. I have been listening to it for some time now, and below is a closer look at how it performs in design, features, audio quality, and overall usability after extended testing.
This is Digit’s OnePlus Nord Buds 3r review, starting with the crux of it:
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3r delivers energetic sound and solid comfort for the price. Its V-shaped tuning works well for bass-heavy genres like EDM and pop, though it trades some detail and openness for impact. While the soundstage feels a bit closed, the overall energy makes up for it. Battery life and connection stability are strong, and while it lacks active noise cancellation (ANC), passive isolation remains decent due to the snug fit. Overall, it’s a reliable, fun-sounding budget TWS that favours punch over precision, and that is okay.
The Nord Buds 3r box includes the earbuds, the charging case, a set of eartips (small, large, medium pre-installed), paperwork and a sticker. Our review unit has the Aura Blue colour, while you can also pick the earbuds in Ash Black colour.
The case looks chic in blue, sporting an angular design and a matte finish. The OnePlus logo is centred on the front, and a small LED indicator sits below it to show the charging and pairing status. There is a USB-C port at the bottom. There is nothing else on the surface. Very neat, indeed!
The case is compact and comfortable to hold, and easy to slip into a pocket. The lid can be opened with a single hand by pushing a little with the thumb. Let’s come to the buds now.
The Buds 3r has a stem-style design. The stem isn’t too long and sits snugly in the ear. The in-ear seal is also tight, which provides passive isolation even without ANC. You can comfortably wear them for extended sessions, and the lightweight design helps prevent fatigue. Build quality is also fine for the price. The plastic body doesn’t feel cheap, since it is finished well.
I also appreciate OnePlus for offering IP55 dust and water resistance on their entry-level buds.
The pairing process was simple thanks to Google Fast Pair. Open the case, with the earbuds still nested in, and once the LED indicator on the case turns white on its own, you’ll see Fast Pair notification on your phone. Press connect and that’s it. I connected it to a OnePlus 13. Despite its budget positioning, the Buds 3r doesn’t feel stripped down due to this and its dual-device connection. By the way, there is gatekeeping too, as certain features like OnePlus 3D Audio and AI Translate will work when paired with supported OnePlus phones. But these aren’t dealbreaker features. So, it is fine.
If you use a compatible OnePlus phone, you can access these settings within the phone’s Bluetooth settings page. In case of other brand phones, the settings will be available in the HeyMelody app (downloadable on the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store).
Either way, the OnePlus buds offer the following settings or features to tweak:
There is no in-ear detection here. I give it a pass, considering the price.
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3r uses a 12.4 mm dynamic driver system tuned primarily for deep bass. This driver size is also found in the Nord Buds 3 (Rs 1,899), Noise Buds Xero (Rs 1,999), Nord Buds 3 Pro (Rs 2,599), the Realme Buds T310 (Rs 2,198), and CMF by Nothing Buds 2a (Rs 2,199). OnePlus combines the driver with a titanium-coated diaphragm for clarity in treble. The result, as per our testing, is a V-shaped frequency response. In simpler words, the bass and treble are boosted while the midrange is recessed. So, you can expect a sound signature that’s energetic and appealing for most mainstream music, though not always accurate.
The bass feels weighty and thumpy. On tracks like ‘Pull Me Under’ by Dream Theater and ‘Selkies’ by Between the Buried and Me, and ‘Around the World’ by Kings of Leon, the kick drums and bass guitars hit strongly. However, the boosted bass tends to mask some detail and clarity, especially in dense mixes. In the aforementioned songs, the fine textures of guitars lose sparkle. In the case of ‘Hurt’ by Johnny Cash, the singer’s gravelly voice and its fragile quiver can be heard. Still, overall, I feel there is a need for more space/room. The sound staging is narrow, and it is noticeable especially in tracks like ‘Hotel California’ by Eagles.
This was in no means a detriment to my listening experience. For instance, in ‘Centuries’ by Fall Out Boy, I liked the voice, and the guitar didn’t feel harsh to my ears. Since the treble is smooth but rolled off, this could help in allaying fatigue for some. Moreover, for a budget earphone, this tuning makes sense, as the masses prefer bass.
By the way, the supported codecs are AAC and SBC. I heard songs in the more efficient AAC codec. OnePlus 3D Audio didn’t do much spatial wonders for us. So, I turned it off.
The buds also get plenty loud. The 80% volume is louder than my personal Galaxy Buds 2. Due to this loudness, you may not miss the absence of ANC much. But at 50-60% volume, you will hear just enough ambient sound to stay aware of your surroundings.
One more thing, the passive isolation offered by the earbuds’ seal was good enough to weaken the noise of the air purifier in my room.
Let’s now read how calls sound on this pair.
Also Read: OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro Review: Bang for your buck with bangin’ bass
For calls, the OnePlus Buds 3r perform reliably indoors. I could hear the other person’s voice clearly, and they could too.
There’s also AI call noise cancellation that filters environmental sounds during voice calls. But the recipient said they could hear people around me.
Dual-device connectivity is a welcome inclusion. You can stay connected to two devices simultaneously, switching automatically when audio starts playing. Bluetooth stability remains solid, too. It supports Bluetooth 5.4.
Let’s now see how long it can run.
OnePlus quotes 12 hours of playback at 50% volume with AAC codec from the 58mAh battery. Based on testing, the buds lose about 10% in 1 hour and 48 minutes at 80% volume. Even if you keep volume, codec and other aspects constant, this should last a working day. It lasted 12 hours in our continuous music playback test. Coupled with the 560mAh case, we were able to get a total runtime close to 50 hours.
And when the Buds 3r seek juice, plug in a USB-C charger to get a quick top-up. The company claims a 10-minute charge for 8 hours of playback. That should be reassuring when you are in a pinch.
Finally, it is time for the end note:
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3r is built for users who prioritise strong bass and long battery life from a TWS earphone priced under Rs 2,000. It gets several things right for the segment.
The sound is lively and bass-driven, which makes most songs, especially from genres like EDM, pop, and hip-hop, enjoyable. However, mids are slightly recessed, highs are softened, and the soundstage feels narrow. That said, you may enjoy this tuning, and the loud output ensures immersion even without ANC.
Call quality is decent indoors, and while AI call noise cancellation doesn’t fully remove background chatter, it performs acceptably for short calls. The dual-device connection and Google Fast Pair support add to usability, and the IP55 rating is a welcome bonus at this price. Battery life and fast charging are reassuring, too.
A main omission is Active Noise Cancellation. Buds 3R’s alternatives like the Boat Nirvana Ion, Realme Buds T310, CMF Buds 2a, and Noise Buds Xero offer ANC. Even the slightly more expensive Nord Buds 3 offer this feature.
But if you are on a strict budget, and you want a well-built, bass-rich, and long-lasting earphone from a trusted brand, you can consider the OnePlus Nord Buds 3r for Rs 1,799. It’s not the most detailed or open-sounding option, but it’s certainly one of the most enjoyable at this price. Check it out on OnePlus’ official website and other online platforms like Amazon and Flipkart.
Keep reading Digit.in for more such reviews and stories.
Also Read: OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Review: A home run for the price—for everyone but audiophiles
