[ad_1]
True wireless headphones cost a dime in today’s market, with so many models released that you’re sure to find one that fits your needs and budget perfectly. Next week, OnePlus will release the Buds Pro as its most expensive option yet, but also its best yet based on my first impressions.
Speaking to the elephant in the room, the OnePlus Buds Pro have a design that looks quite familiar because, well, they’re virtually identical to the AirPods Pro.
The only big differentiator between these two pairs of earbuds is the two-tone finish which shows a solid black or white color on the top of the earbud and shiny silver along the bottom half. Other than that, everything from the general shape to the oval tip is basically copied from Apple’s model. The case, however, is not the same and instead has a larger footprint with a design that sees the headphones lay flat, where Apple makes them sit in small silos for charging. Personally, I prefer Apple’s design here, but what OnePlus chose works great too. I never had the headphones that didn’t connect for charging.
It’s not a bad thing that OnePlus is copying Apple’s design, but it’s a bit hilarious given the history of the OnePlus Buds seized by authorities because they are so similar to AirPods.
Ignoring this point, however, I think the OnePlus Buds Pro stand out for several reasons.
It starts with the sound quality, which is shockingly awesome for this price. They sound much better than the standard OnePlus Buds and have more clarity and depth in their sound compared to the equally priced Galaxy Buds 2, which I just reviewed last week. Active noise cancellation is in the middle of the pack when it comes to its effectiveness, dropping a few points just because it’s hard to trigger.
Comfort was another point where the OnePlus Buds Pro was a big win for me. The headphones fit my ear perfectly and, unlike many others, can stay there for a few hours at a time without any discomfort or pain. The only other headphones that have come close to comfort for me are the original Pixel Buds, but the OnePlus Buds Pro takes the edge back by having a more secure fit in my ear.
However, there are definitely a few negatives that I encountered over the past few days of using these headphones. First of all, the software suite. If you are not using a OnePlus smartphone, you will need to download the Oppo “HeyMelody” app. The app is relatively well designed, but I had some functional issues controlling the ANC through the app as it was trying to force transparency mode.
Then there are the touch controls. This is a place where the original OnePlus Buds really suffered, and unfortunately the Buds Pro don’t completely solve the problem. Instead of simple touch controls, every interaction with Buds Pro is handled by a “push” of the rod. This makes each action a bit longer, and I found it frustrating because I couldn’t perform simple actions like pausing music without disturbing the fit of the earpiece. On the plus side, there’s a lot of customization to be had with this. OnePlus has gestures for single, double, and triple “squeeze” actions. By default, they pause the next track and the previous track respectively. You can also squeeze the buds for a full second to switch between ANC modes or squeeze for 3 seconds to trigger “Zen Mode Air,” which plays white noise as a smart add-on feature.
Are the OnePlus Buds Pro a worthwhile buy? Three days of use on my end isn’t enough to completely decide this, but the overall package is certainly pretty convincing at $ 149, and I’ll definitely be using them as my primary headphones for the next moment.
OnePlus Buds Pro goes on sale September 1 in the United States.
Learn more about OnePlus:
FTC: We use automatic affiliate links which generate income. Following.
Check out 9to5Google on YouTube for more information:
[ad_2]
Source link