OnePlus Buds 4 have lastly made it to India in July this 12 months. And, they give the impression of being nothing like their predecessor. For the all-new Buds, OnePlus appears to have gone again to the drafting board and redesigned the whole product, slightly than utilizing the identical design and including some upgrades.

Its predecessor, the Buds 3, was launched in January 2024, so we will say OnePlus delayed the launch of the Buds 4 by just a few months. Nonetheless, this delay could possibly be linked to holding the TWS launch in sync with the brand new Nord gadgets – the Nord 5 and Nord CE 5.

The very best factor is that OnePlus has managed to maintain the worth in examine, holding it beneath Rs. 6,000. For comparability, the Buds had been launched in India final 12 months at Rs. 5,499. This implies that OnePlus goals to keep up its market share within the sub-Rs. 6,000 TWS value section with its non-Professional buds mannequin. On paper, the Buds 4 is crammed to the brim with options that you simply often get in the next value section, so must you spend money on these TWS? I attempt to reply that in my evaluate.

OnePlus Buds 4 Evaluate: Design is chunky

• Dimensions: Earbuds – 31×20.6×4.2mm
• Charging case – 65.4×52.4×25.3mm
• Weight: Earbuds – 4.73g, charging case – 39.57g, and complete – 49g
• Colors: Zen Inexperienced and Storm Gray

The OnePlus Buds 4 look nothing like its predecessor, the Buds 3, and that is not a deal breaker in any manner. It takes some inspiration from the Buds Professional 3 and beforehand launched Nord TWS fashions. The minimalist design of the Buds 4 seems nice at first look, and the design change appears extra of an improve than anything. The metallic texture with a matte end offers it a extra premium look. OnePlus says that it has used a non-conductive vacuum metallisation (NCVM) coating on the Buds 4 casing and buds. Moreover, the OnePlus engraving has been achieved utilizing a CO2 laser. All of this makes the Buds 4 look fashionable, vibrant and complex.

Within the retail field, you get the Buds together with a charging case, Sort-C Charging Cable, ear ideas, person Handbook, Security and Guarantee card

Out there in Storm Gray and Zen Inexperienced colors, OnePlus has gone with a extra muted color alternative which will look recent for an extended interval. For my evaluate, I obtained the Zen Inexperienced color mannequin, and it seems good. The case lid is simple to open with only one hand; nonetheless, resulting from its texture, it tends to change into slippery when operated with one hand. The oval-shaped case feels chunky within the pocket and does not really feel as mild to hold because the Buds 3.

The stem and ear tip designs are fully revamped and, very like the case, are chunkier. The stem is thick and is simple to carry in comparison with the Buds 3’s stem. Due to a thicker stem design, OnePlus has added swipe gesture controls on the stem for adjusting quantity. You can too long-press on the stem to toggle between ANC and transparency modes. Moreover, you may also faucet on the stem to play, pause or skip tracks. Notably, you may customise these settings within the HeyMelody app on non-OnePlus gadgets.

The earbuds are light-weight and weigh 4.73 grams every

General, the OnePlus Buds 4 supply an excellent, light-weight design for every day use. Nonetheless, the design is a blended bag for me, as I want the Buds 3 design over the oval-shaped Buds 4 design.

OnePlus Buds 4 Evaluate: App assist and specs

• App assist: HeyMelody app (non-OnePlus gadgets)
• IP Score: IP55-rated water and dirt resistance
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4 (efficient distance 10m)

The OnePlus Buds 4 helps the HeyMelody app for non-OnePlus gadgets. For those who’re utilizing an OnePlus gadget, you’ll have all app options constructed into the cellphone’s Bluetooth settings. The HeyMelody app is acquainted, and all of the OnePlus audio gadgets I’ve beforehand reviewed have used this app. The UI is straightforward, with choices for noise management upfront, alongside OnePlus 3D Audio and Sound Grasp equaliser settings, all only one faucet away. The Buds 4 assist twin connection, which implies it might join to 2 gadgets on the identical time and may swap between them simply.

The HeyMelody app additionally gives further options, akin to an earbud match check that checks whether or not the ear ideas create an excellent seal together with your ear canal for improved noise cancellation. There’s additionally a Golden Sound characteristic accessible within the app that creates studio-quality sound customised to your ear canal construction and listening to traits. There’s additionally a devoted Sport mode that syncs with audio and video on the gadget to scale back recreation lag for a smoother expertise.

Within the field, the Buds 4 supply completely different ear tip sizes – S, M and L pairs with M being pre-installed

For ANC, the Buds 4 supply 4 settings: Noise Cancellation, Adaptive, Transparency, and Off. I most well-liked Adaptive throughout the evaluate and can focus on the standard in a bit. Out of all of the apps I’ve seen for numerous TWS, the HeyMelody app has the perfect UI and can also be clutter-free, with pointless choices eliminated. It leans in direction of a extra customized possibility, which seems good and works in favour of the OnePlus audio merchandise.

Itemizing spotlight specs, the OnePlus Buds 4 get an 11mm woofer and a 6mm tweeter. It options IP55-rated water and dirt resistance, and is designed for hard-core avid gamers, supporting 47ms ultra-low latency. It will get Bluetooth 5.4 and LHDC 5.0 assist. It additionally options an AI Translation perform that works completely with a OnePlus smartphone. The Buds 4 additionally get Google Quick Pair and dual-device connection. For normal calls, the TWS encompasses a triple microphone setup and a wind noise suppression perform within the background.

For non-OnePlus gadgets, HeyMelody is the companion app for each Android and iOS customers

OnePlus Buds 4 Evaluate: Efficiency and battery life

• Drivers: 11mm woofer and 6mm tweeter
• Options: Energetic Noise Cancellation (ANC) with noise discount depth of as much as 55dB
• Codec assist: LHDC 5.0 / AAC / SBC
• Battery Capability: Earbuds – 62mAh and Charging Case – 530mAh

The Buds 4 supply among the finest ANC experiences on this value bracket, setting a benchmark. OnePlus claims that the TWS can scale back noise by as much as 55dB and encompasses a large frequency vary of 5500Hz. In real-world utilization, the Buds 4 do an amazing job of noise cancellation in numerous background settings. Out of the three energetic ANC settings, Adaptive is the one which was my favorite throughout the evaluate and was good sufficient to adapt to the environment.

The Buds 4 assist Google Quick Pair and dual-device connection

With ANC enabled and set to Adaptive, I might barely hear the fan and AC noise in my room. Nonetheless, after I was speaking with somebody, I might nonetheless hearken to the particular person speaking to me with out having to unplug the buds—a really good implementation of the Adaptive setting on the Buds 4 by OnePlus. Whereas commuting with ANC on was my default mixture throughout the evaluate, because it fully suppresses ambient avenue noise. I can confidently say that the Buds 4 ANC’s efficiency was on par with that of the Buds 3 Professional, a higher-priced TWS.

Speaking about sound high quality, the Buds 4 excel right here as nicely, virtually. The TWS gives sufficient punch, depth and readability. The default equaliser setting is generally balanced, although barely leaning in direction of bass. Testing tracks like Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody, which options complicated vocal harmonies and loads of devices, the Buds 4 does nicely in dealing with quiet to loud transitions and in addition handles separation swiftly. Then, on Adele’s Somebody Like You, the TWS manages to maintain the deal with vocal readability and delicate nuances in her voice.

The charging case takes about 90 minutes to cost from 0 to 100%

Equally, Do not Know Why by Norah Jones has fantastically recorded vocals and acoustic guitar. The Buds 4 handle to maintain the naturalness, heat, and element within the midrange. It, nonetheless, does not beat the OnePlus Buds Professional 3 or Realme Buds Air 7 Professional – each of which did higher. Lastly, I attempted a Hans Zimmer basic, Mountains from the Interstellar soundtrack, which gives orchestral items, and Buds 4 does nicely with large soundstages and good instrument separation. All in all, you will not be upset by the sound high quality of the Buds 4, particularly contemplating these are TWS priced beneath Rs. 6,000.

The OnePlus Buds 4 are glorious for calls and pack an excellent set of microphones. The voice is obvious on calls when utilizing Buds 4, and the TWS can deal with a mildly noisy setting promptly throughout calls with no need to modify to ANC manually. Nonetheless, on the streets, you may hear background noise on the decision, and Buds don’t deal with every little thing effectively. For gaming, the TWS is nice sufficient and handles latency as marketed.

The Buds 4 include an 11mm woofer and a 6mm tweeter

Coming to battery life, the Buds 4 is claimed to supply playback of as much as 11 hours on earbuds and when used with the case to as much as 45 hours with ANC off and 50% quantity. The battery efficiency drops to six hours on earbuds and as much as 24 hours with the case when ANC is on and at 50% quantity. In real-world utilization, the Buds 4 supply a strong battery life, permitting for as much as 7 hours of playback (with ANC on and at 50% quantity) with simply the earbuds and greater than 30 hours with the charging case. For these unaware, sticking to the AAC codec is nice for battery life whereas there’s LHDC assist, however Buds 4 battery efficiency drops significantly.

It additionally will get fast-charging assist with a 10-minute cost providing greater than 3 hours of playback. The charging case takes about 90 minutes to cost absolutely. Sadly, there is not any wi-fi charging assist.

The charging case packs a 530mAh battery

OnePlus Buds 4 Evaluate: Verdict

At Rs. 5,999, the OnePlus Buds 4 come out as a strong possibility beneath Rs. 6,000. The TWS gives a complete set of options, and its conventional in-ear design offers a extra comfortable match in comparison with the Buds 3 design. Moreover, the companion app helps options just like the Golden Sound expertise, the place customers can map their ear canals for a extra personalised audio expertise. The TWS gives a wonderful three-mic setup that is nice for calls. The battery life is unbelievable and constantly delivers good battery efficiency. The sound high quality is generally balanced and ought to be preferred by customers on this value bracket.

In fact, the design is one thing which may not be preferred by all, and the contact gesture controls on the buds usually are not intuitive for every day use, and at instances, could be irritating.

The Buds 4 is offered in Zen Inexperienced and Storm Gray colors

For options, think about the TWS choices akin to Nothing Ear, which gives a striking design and polished sound quality. Realme Buds Air 7 Pro offers a good design and thumping bass. You can too think about the Sony WF-C700N, which is slightly costly but offers an excellent sound output.