New Look
The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro stands out from its predecessor, the Buds 3 Pro, thanks to its new squarish charging case. This design marks a departure from the oval shape of the previous model. The matte finish on the Buds 4 Pro is a subtle but practical change, as it can withstand the daily wear and tear of being in your bag or pocket.
This finish also helps avoid smudging with fingerprints, and if any do appear, they are easy to clean. The rounded edges of the case make it comfortable to hold and easy to retrieve from your pocket.
The buds themselves feature a standard-sized stem that provides a secure grip without the risk of them falling out. The silicone tips are available in different sizes, allowing for a customizable fit. Each bud weighs approximately 4.4 grams, making them light enough to wear for extended periods before discomfort sets in. The controls are located on the lower part of the stem.
What It Offers
The earbuds come equipped with 12mm dynamic drivers, which is typical for this category. They support various audio codecs such as LHDC, SBC, and AAC, ensuring a higher quality listening experience. The Nord Buds 4 Pro also includes active noise cancellation, which can be activated through the app or directly on the earbuds. There are six microphones, along with support for spatial audio and some AI features. Overall, the Buds 4 Pro is well-equipped with features that you would expect at this price point and more.
You can connect the earbuds to the HeyMelody app on your phone, which allows for dual connectivity and the ability to adjust the audio profile according to your preferences.
How It Sounds
When it comes to sound quality and performance, the Nord Buds 4 Pro delivers a decent experience. The ANC level is adequate in quiet environments but less effective in noisy public spaces, which is expected. You can manually adjust the settings, but the transparent mode is somewhat unclear in its functionality.
The overall sound profile is bass-heavy, which is common for budget earbuds. However, OnePlus offers an additional bass-focused adjustment that doesn’t significantly enhance the listening experience. In fact, the default mode is often preferable.
The call audio quality is generally acceptable, allowing for clear communication on both ends. While not the best you’ll find in the market, it is reliable and effective for most situations.
Lasts Long
The Nord Buds 4 Pro features a 62mAh battery in each earbud and a larger 530mAh battery in the charging case, providing extended usage. OnePlus claims up to 56 hours of playback without ANC enabled and 26 hours when ANC is active.
In practice, the Buds 4 Pro closely matches these claims, with users reporting over a week of use and achieving around 48 hours of playback under various conditions and settings. You can check the battery status via the app or through your phone’s paired settings. This makes the Buds 4 Pro one of the best-performing earbuds in terms of battery life within the budget segment.
Conclusion
The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro offers reliable and effective TWS earbuds that provide decent noise cancellation for the price, long battery life for most situations, and a range of features that make them a compelling choice in the budget category.
