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OnePlus Nord Buds 4 review: Budget earbuds that punch well above their price
For years, the Nord Buds series has focused on offering the essentials without making buyers feel like they’re settling. The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 continue that philosophy, but this time, OnePlus has packed in features that were once reserved for more expensive earbuds. You get up to 52dB active noise cancellation (ANC), spatial audio, Bluetooth 6.1, AI-powered features, and an impressive battery life, all at an affordable price.
I spent several days using the Astral Teal variant for music, calls, videos, gaming, and commuting. While they aren’t perfect, they easily outperform what you’d expect from earbuds in this price segment.
A familiar design that’s comfortable all day
The Astral Teal variant is easily the more eye-catching of the two color options. Its soft matte finish and muted green shade give the earbuds a fresh, premium look straight out of the box. However, after using them for around 10 days, I felt some of that initial visual appeal had faded. The finish seemed to lose a bit of its freshness with regular use, which made me think the Stellar Black variant may hold up better over the long run and hide everyday wear more effectively.
That said, the charging case remains compact enough to slip into a jeans pocket, while the earbuds themselves weigh just 4.3g each. Comfort has been one of the Nord Buds series’ strengths, and the Nord Buds 4 continue that tradition. I could comfortably wear them for a couple of hours without feeling any pressure or fatigue. Whether I was working from home or taking a walk outdoors, the fit remained secure. The IP55 rating also means you won’t have to worry about sweat or a light drizzle during workouts.
Surprisingly rich sound for the price
OnePlus has equipped the Nord Buds 4 with 12mm titanium-coated dynamic drivers, and they deliver a lively sound signature that most users will immediately enjoy.
Bass is the highlight here. It has plenty of punch without becoming muddy, making Bollywood tracks, EDM, hip-hop, and action movie soundtracks particularly enjoyable. At the same time, vocals remain clear enough that podcasts and acoustic tracks don’t get drowned out by the low end. Spatial Audio also adds a greater sense of immersion when watching movies or playing supported games, giving audio a wider and more spacious presentation.
Audiophiles looking for an analytical sound signature may still want something more refined, but for everyday listening, the Nord Buds 4 strike a pleasing balance between energetic bass and clear mids.
HeyMelody app lets you fine-tune the experience
The companion HeyMelody app gives you more control over how the earbuds sound and behave. The Sound Master EQ offers three presets: Balanced, Serenade, and Bass, allowing you to quickly switch between different sound profiles depending on what you’re listening to. If you enjoy a stronger low-end, the BassWave slider lets you gradually adjust the bass level instead of relying on a fixed preset, making it easy to find a sound signature that suits your taste.
The app also lets you customise touch controls, switch between ANC modes, enable low-latency gaming mode, update the firmware, and locate your earbuds if you’ve misplaced them nearby.
One feature I particularly liked is Spotify Tap, which lets you assign a double tap, triple tap, or touch-and-hold gesture to instantly resume your music or discover a new recommendation in Spotify without having to reach for your phone. It’s a small addition, but one that frequent Spotify users will appreciate.
ANC that genuinely makes a difference
ANC is often the first feature manufacturers compromise on in affordable earbuds, but that isn’t the case here.
The Nord Buds 4 offer up to 52dB real-time ANC, and while real-world performance naturally varies depending on your surroundings, they do an excellent job of reducing constant background noise. During my commute, they noticeably reduced the hum of traffic and air conditioning, making music and podcasts easier to enjoy without constantly increasing the volume.
Call quality is another pleasant surprise. The six-microphone setup, combined with AI noise reduction, keeps voices clear during outdoor conversations. Even in breezy conditions, callers had little trouble hearing me.
Built for gaming, commuting and everyday convenience
These earbuds aren’t just about music. Gaming performance is impressive thanks to the 47ms low-latency mode, which helps keep audio in sync with on-screen action. Bluetooth 6.1 connectivity remained stable throughout my testing, while dual-device pairing made switching between my laptop and smartphone effortless.
Battery life is another major strength. With ANC turned off, the Nord Buds 4 are rated for up to 54 hours of total playback with the charging case, while a quick 10-minute charge can provide several hours of listening. I never found myself worrying about running out of power, even after several days of regular use.
OnePlus has also added AI features like AI Translate and voice assistant support on compatible devices. While these aren’t reasons alone to buy the earbuds, they do add extra convenience if you’re already invested in the OnePlus ecosystem.
Nord Buds 4 vs Nord Buds 4 Pro
The Nord Buds 4 and Nord Buds 4 Pro target different buyers. The standard OnePlus Nord Buds 4 misses out on premium audio features found in the Pro model, specifically losing high-resolution LHDC 5.0 codec support, and a wider 20Hz – 40kHz frequency response. Physically, it lacks the convenient Volume Swipe Control on the stems, restricting you to basic touch controls. Finally, it omits a USB-C charging cable from the box, though it oddly gains a slightly newer Bluetooth version (6.1 vs 6.0).
Verdict
The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 are easy to recommend. They don’t try to be flagship earbuds at a budget price. Instead, they focus on getting the fundamentals right while borrowing a few premium features that genuinely improve the everyday experience.
The sound is energetic, ANC works better than expected, battery life is excellent, and the lightweight design makes them comfortable enough for extended listening sessions. Add dependable call quality, gaming-friendly latency, and stable connectivity, and you have one of the strongest all-round packages in its segment.
Priced at Rs 3,299, with a limited-period introductory price of Rs 3,099, the OnePlus Nord Buds 4 offer excellent value. They will go on sale from June 29 via the OnePlus Store App, OnePlus Experience Stores, Amazon.in, Flipkart, Blinkit, Myntra, and select offline partner stores.
If your budget is around Rs 3,000 and you’re looking for a pair of earbuds that deliver strong sound, capable ANC, long battery life, and everyday reliability without unnecessary compromises, the OnePlus Nord Buds 4 deserve a place near the top of your shortlist.
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The post OnePlus Nord Buds 4 review: Budget earbuds that punch well above their price appeared first on Gizmochina.
