What can a company do to make wireless earbuds more differentiated in 2021? This is a difficult question because of the near universality of quality hardware. Over the past year, I've tested about 10 different types of buds, and all were pretty good.
There are some interesting companies like Nura and Nothing that offer this category. However, for hardware manufacturers who sell their own handsets as well, sometimes the best headphones for a particular mobile device can be enough.
OnePlus exists in a void between these two worlds. The company produces its own phones but isn't able to compete with giants such as Apple and Samsung. The OnePlus Buds Pro are a fitting pair of buds. They work well with the company's own phones, but also have some interesting extras that help them stand out from the crowd.
OnePlus's performance in this category has been, to my knowledge, unexceptional and even disappointing at times. After a year of tethered play, I was not impressed when OnePlus finally entered the fully wireless category. Although the price was very reasonable at $100, they felt like a set that could have been purchased three to four years ago when there were few options.
Mercifully, the Pros are better in almost every aspect. This must be a relief to the company as one of its cofounders created his own headphones within a month. The product is $150 more expensive than the standard Ear (1) buds, but it comes in at $50 less. The product is a fair value for the quality you get, but it's worth looking at the current landscape.
It is important to note that I tried the headphones with an Android phone other than the OnePlus, and also an iPhone. This requires the HeyMelody OnePlus/Oppo application, which is in a word, lacking. It does the job with some key features. A fit test is performed to make sure that the seal is tight. OnePlus Audio ID allows you to create a customized sound profile.
This is a basic version of the Nura sound test. It runs through several tones and asks if you can hear the playback. Although it is a tedious process, it makes a significant difference. When I was done, the result was much richer and more complete. There isn't much EQ customization beyond this. However, other than a heavy reliance on bass, there is not much to be unhappy about in terms of the sound.
It is also possible to control the noise cancellation via the app or the headphones stems. The buds' most distinctive feature, Zen Mode Air, can be accessed by a long, three-second click on the stems. This is a smart, but unnecessary addition to a world where mindfulness is a top priority. This feature emits white noise to your eyes. Warm Sunrise is the default soundscape. It features chirping insects and birds. You can also choose from four preloaded sounds including the beach and campfires. Although it's not something I expected to use, in a year of stress, I find it useful.
Companies have two options when it comes to design. Either embrace the AirPod, or do something completely different. It is easy to see which direction OnePlus has taken. The difference is less obvious on the matte-black pair that OnePlus sent, but it's still evident in the white models. The metal stems are thrown in to ensure they don't get too close to market leaders.
They are hard to beat from a comfort standpoint. They have been in my bag for a while and I've never had to take them out. The AirPods' design is interesting. The battery life is excellent, lasting five to seven hours depending on ANC usage and 28 to 38 minutes combined with the slim case. Wireless charging is an increasingly common feature at this price.
OnePlus wanted to stay true to its budget roots and launched the $99 buds as its first product. Google's approach of showing the benefits of a premium model, then dropping the budget price is appealing to me. These headphones should have been released by OnePlus a year ago. It's better late than never, but it's still a great product.
