ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The OnePlus Buds 4 can be found now for $90.
- They provide flagship earbuds a run for his or her cash with top-notch ANC efficiency and a snug match.
- The swipe gestures could be finicky, and the slick case is simple to drop.
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The OnePlus Buds 4 sit under the Professional mannequin in title, however they borrow a few of its greatest options and pack them right into a extra inexpensive price ticket. With a handful of upgrades over their predecessor, the OnePlus Buds 4 function a brand new twin DAC system, bigger twin drivers, LHDC 5.0 and the identical audio high quality I’ve come to count on from the model.
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There’s not a lot to fault OnePlus Buds 4 aside from one annoyance that retains coming again day by day — however I would fortunately put up with it for the top-notch ANC efficiency. I have been utilizing them for the previous 10 days, and this is why I am not placing them down any time quickly.
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Type issue trade-offs
When it comes to design, OnePlus Buds 4 are a mixture of Nord Buds 3 Professional and Buds 3 Professional. They reside in a shell case, which has a metallic really feel and matte end. It does not have a grippy, leather-like textured end from the Buds 3 Professional, which makes it slippery. In actual fact, I’ve unintentionally dropped it twice in my 10-day utilization, and have needed to consciously be extra cautious taking it out of my pocket.
The earbuds themselves are gentle and cozy to put on. OnePlus has flattened the stem, a design ingredient taken from the Nord Buds lineup, which makes them really feel bulkier than earlier than. Nonetheless, it does not affect the wearability. I’ve worn them for prolonged intervals with none points. They match me effectively and do not fall off simply. I’ve worn them on runs, in flights, on commutes, and whereas strolling across the busy streets of New York. They have not fallen out of my ears unintentionally, even as soon as.
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My aforementioned main annoyance stems from this up to date stem design. The earbuds’ management touch-sensitive space is positioned on the outer a part of their stem, so at any time when I attempt to change the quantity or carry out every other motion with the swipe gestures, I’ve to regulate the match.
To maintain them in place, I want to carry them with my thumb and center finger whereas swiping with my index finger on the buds. It’s much less intuitive than aspect controls, the place I solely use my thumb and index finger. Most individuals will ultimately get used to it, nevertheless it’s one thing that has persistently bothered me.
The OnePlus Buds 4 provide a full suite of controls, without having to select from quantity adjustment, playback management, sensible assistant, ANC on/off, and extra. Just like the OnePlus Buds Professional 3, you get all of them concurrently, due to help for a number of faucet and swipe gestures. The Buds 4 are rated IP55 for mud and water resistance, so sweat or drizzle will not be an issue.
It is all about that bass
In case you get pleasure from bass-forward audio, you will just like the OnePlus Buds 4. They function twin drivers, together with 11mm woofers and a 6mm tweeter, for enhanced high-frequency efficiency. In addition they add a twin DAC system to energy every driver individually. You get help for SBC, AAC, and LHDC 5.0 over Bluetooth 5.4.
By default, the OnePlus Buds 4 are tuned to be bass-heavy. The decrease frequencies are boosted, whereas the highs are now not piercingly excessive (an enchancment over the Buds 3). The mids are nice, however the decrease mids can sound muddy on account of boosted low frequencies. I miss the brilliance in excessive frequencies from the Buds 3 Professional, however I would take this over the Buds 3’s sharp highs.
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You’ll be able to tune the OnePlus Buds 4 to your liking by the HeyMelody app for iOS and Android. You’ll be able to additional increase bass, activate Sport Mode for decreased latency, activate OnePlus 3D Audio for a spatial listening expertise (with out head monitoring), and modify controls.
The app additionally contains a Golden Sound choice, which generates a customized audio curve based mostly on the outcomes of a listening to take a look at. It takes a few minutes to finish, and it is a enjoyable function to strive, however I would depend on customized tuning by Grasp EQ.
The ANC competes with rivals
The OnePlus Buds 4 declare to cut back noise by as much as 55dB and canopy a frequency vary of 5500MHz, which is healthier than the Buds Professional 3. You’ll be able to modify the ANC stage to Low, Average, or Excessive choices, however I left it on Auto to let the earbuds decide the optimum ranges. It really works very effectively, undoubtedly on par with their dearer flagship sibling, muffling each avenue noise and the airplane engine on a current flight.
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The transparency mode can also be fairly good. When activated, I may hear my environment fairly clearly with the buds sitting in my ears. There is a new adaptive mode that toggles ANC or transparency mode based mostly on ambient sound. I discovered it did not fairly work in addition to it is speculated to, and I want having guide management over the ANC.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The OnePlus Buds 4 are priced at $129 however can be found for $89 throughout Black Friday week. In case you are searching for a pair of earbuds for lively noise cancelation for round $100, they’re a fantastic selection. They function flagship-level ANC and transparency efficiency, paired with bass-heavy sound, a plethora of options, and a comfortable-to-wear design.
These are finally earbuds designed for people who wish to block out their day by day commute and avenue noise.
Replace log
- This story was initially printed on July 14, 2025, and was up to date on December twenty fourth, 2025, with a radical reality test and a change to the pricing after current promotions.
