If you are looking for new wireless earbuds, you might be thinking about the OnePlus Buds 3 and the newer OnePlus Buds 4. Both of these earbuds have good sound and many features. But the Buds 4 cost more money, and you want to know if the extra cost is worth it.
This article will help you understand what is different between the two pairs of earbuds. We will look at the price, the sound quality, the noise cancellation, the battery, and the special features. By the end, you will know which pair of earbuds is right for you.
Price and What You Get in the Box
The first thing you will notice is the price. The OnePlus Buds 3 launched at around $99 in the US, which is about ₹5,499 in India . The OnePlus Buds 4 cost more money. They sell for about £119 in the UK, which is roughly ₹5,999 in India .
When you open the box of either earbud, you get the same things. The box contains the earbuds, a charging case, a USB Type-C charging cable, and three sizes of ear tips (small, medium, and large). The medium size is already on the earbuds . Both models are available in two colors. The Buds 3 come in Metallic Gray and Splendid Blue. The Buds 4 come in Storm Gray and Zen Green.
Read Also: How to Connect External Wireless Mic OnePlus Nord N200 5G?
Design, Fit, and Comfort
Both the Buds 3 and the Buds 4 are in-ear earbuds. They are both small and light. OnePlus designed them to sit snugly in your ears .
The Buds 4 are a little lighter than the Buds 3. Each Buds 4 earbud weighs 4.73 grams. Each Buds 3 earbud weighs 4.8 grams . You will not feel this tiny difference.
The charging case for the Buds 4 is shaped like a smooth oval. Some people say it looks like a bar of soap that has been used many times . The Buds 3 case is more rectangular. Both cases fit easily in your pocket .
Sound Quality
This is one of the most important things to think about. How do they sound?
The OnePlus Buds 3 use what OnePlus calls a dual-driver setup. This means each earbud has two drivers for sound. There is a 10.4mm woofer that makes the low sounds, like the bass in music. There is also a 6mm tweeter that makes the high sounds, like vocals and cymbals .
The OnePlus Buds 4 also use a dual-driver setup. But the drivers are different. The Buds 4 have an 11mm woofer and the same 6mm tweeter . The woofer in the Buds 4 is bigger. A bigger woofer can usually make bass that sounds deeper and has more power.
The frequency response is the same for both earbuds. They can both play sounds from 15Hz to 40kHz . This is good for hearing many details in your music.
There is one more important difference for sound. The OnePlus Buds 4 have something called dual DACs . DAC stands for digital-to-analog converter. It changes the digital music from your phone into a sound signal. Having two DACs can make the sound clearer and more detailed.
Both the Buds 3 and the Buds 4 support high-quality audio codecs. They both support LHDC 5.0. This is a codec that lets you hear high-resolution audio if you have a compatible phone . High-resolution audio has more detail than regular audio.
Noise Cancellation
Noise cancellation helps you block out background sounds so you can focus on your music. This feature is very important to many people.
The OnePlus Buds 3 have active noise cancellation up to 49dB . This is good. It will block out many sounds like a fan running or traffic outside.
The OnePlus Buds 4 have a big upgrade in this area. Their noise cancellation is much stronger, going up to 55dB . OnePlus says this is a 200% improvement in voice canceling compared to the older model . That number might sound like marketing talk, but it tells you there is a big difference.
The Buds 4 also have a wider noise cancellation range. It works up to 5,500Hz, compared to 4kHz on the Buds 3 . This means the Buds 4 are better at canceling higher-pitched sounds, like voices in a cafe or a baby crying. The Buds 4 also have an adaptive mode for noise cancellation. This mode changes the level of noise cancellation based on the sounds around you . If you are in a quiet room, it will cancel less noise. If you are on a loud bus, it will cancel more.
Microphones and Call Quality
If you make a lot of phone calls with your earbuds, this section is for you.
Both the Buds 3 and the Buds 4 have three microphones in each earbud . They both use AI to cancel noise around you so your voice sounds clear on calls.
The Buds 4 have something extra: AI Translation. If you have a compatible OnePlus phone, you can use this feature to get real-time translations of conversations in many different languages . This is useful for travelers or people who work with other people who speak different languages.
Battery Life
You want your earbuds to last a long time without charging. Let's look at how long each pair lasts.
OnePlus Buds 3
OnePlus Buds 4
The Buds 4 give you one extra hour of total battery life. This is not a big difference. But the fast charging on the Buds 4 is better. A quick 10-minute charge gives you 11 hours of music. The Buds 3 give you 7 hours with the same quick charge .
Connectivity and Gaming
The OnePlus Buds 3 use Bluetooth 5.3 . The OnePlus Buds 4 use Bluetooth 5.4 . Bluetooth 5.4 is a newer version. It can give you a more stable connection and a longer range. OnePlus calls this feature "Steady Connect" on the Buds 4 .
Both earbuds support Google Fast Pair and dual-device connection. This means you can quickly connect them to your Android phone, and you can connect them to two devices at the same time.
Gamers will care about latency, which is the delay between the video and the sound. The Buds 3 have a latency of 94ms . The Buds 4 have a lower latency of 47ms . This lower latency means that when you play a game, the sound will be better matched to the action on your screen.
Special Features
Here are some other special features to think about.
Spatial Audio
Both earbuds have OnePlus 3D Audio. This feature creates a surround sound effect. It makes you feel like the sound is coming from all around you . This is good for watching movies or playing games.
Golden Sound
Both earbuds have Golden Sound. This feature does a quick test of your ears. Then it creates a sound profile that is made just for you .
Water Resistance
Both earbuds have an IP55 rating . This means they are protected against dust and against water spray from a nozzle. This rating does not cover the charging case. This means you can wear them while you exercise, but you should not swim with them or put them in the washing machine.
Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
The choice comes down to what you value most.
Choose the OnePlus Buds 3 if:
Choose the OnePlus Buds 4 if:
The OnePlus Buds 4 is the better earbud. It has better features in almost every area. But the OnePlus Buds 3 is still a very good earbud, and it costs less. If you have the extra money, the Buds 4 is a worthwhile upgrade. If you want to save money, the Buds 3 is still a strong choice for good quality sound and features.
Thomas Hardy
If you are looking for new wireless earbuds, you might be thinking about the OnePlus Buds 3 and the newer OnePlus Buds 4. Both of these earbuds have good sound and many features. But the Buds 4 cost more money, and you want to know if the extra cost is worth it.
This article will help you understand what is different between the two pairs of earbuds. We will look at the price, the sound quality, the noise cancellation, the battery, and the special features. By the end, you will know which pair of earbuds is right for you.
Price and What You Get in the Box
The first thing you will notice is the price. The OnePlus Buds 3 launched at around $99 in the US, which is about ₹5,499 in India . The OnePlus Buds 4 cost more money. They sell for about £119 in the UK, which is roughly ₹5,999 in India .
When you open the box of either earbud, you get the same things. The box contains the earbuds, a charging case, a USB Type-C charging cable, and three sizes of ear tips (small, medium, and large). The medium size is already on the earbuds . Both models are available in two colors. The Buds 3 come in Metallic Gray and Splendid Blue. The Buds 4 come in Storm Gray and Zen Green.
Read Also: How to Connect External Wireless Mic OnePlus Nord N200 5G?
Design, Fit, and Comfort
Both the Buds 3 and the Buds 4 are in-ear earbuds. They are both small and light. OnePlus designed them to sit snugly in your ears .
The Buds 4 are a little lighter than the Buds 3. Each Buds 4 earbud weighs 4.73 grams. Each Buds 3 earbud weighs 4.8 grams . You will not feel this tiny difference.
The charging case for the Buds 4 is shaped like a smooth oval. Some people say it looks like a bar of soap that has been used many times . The Buds 3 case is more rectangular. Both cases fit easily in your pocket .
Sound Quality
This is one of the most important things to think about. How do they sound?
The OnePlus Buds 3 use what OnePlus calls a dual-driver setup. This means each earbud has two drivers for sound. There is a 10.4mm woofer that makes the low sounds, like the bass in music. There is also a 6mm tweeter that makes the high sounds, like vocals and cymbals .
The OnePlus Buds 4 also use a dual-driver setup. But the drivers are different. The Buds 4 have an 11mm woofer and the same 6mm tweeter . The woofer in the Buds 4 is bigger. A bigger woofer can usually make bass that sounds deeper and has more power.
The frequency response is the same for both earbuds. They can both play sounds from 15Hz to 40kHz . This is good for hearing many details in your music.
There is one more important difference for sound. The OnePlus Buds 4 have something called dual DACs . DAC stands for digital-to-analog converter. It changes the digital music from your phone into a sound signal. Having two DACs can make the sound clearer and more detailed.
Both the Buds 3 and the Buds 4 support high-quality audio codecs. They both support LHDC 5.0. This is a codec that lets you hear high-resolution audio if you have a compatible phone . High-resolution audio has more detail than regular audio.
Noise Cancellation
Noise cancellation helps you block out background sounds so you can focus on your music. This feature is very important to many people.
The OnePlus Buds 3 have active noise cancellation up to 49dB . This is good. It will block out many sounds like a fan running or traffic outside.
The OnePlus Buds 4 have a big upgrade in this area. Their noise cancellation is much stronger, going up to 55dB . OnePlus says this is a 200% improvement in voice canceling compared to the older model . That number might sound like marketing talk, but it tells you there is a big difference.
The Buds 4 also have a wider noise cancellation range. It works up to 5,500Hz, compared to 4kHz on the Buds 3 . This means the Buds 4 are better at canceling higher-pitched sounds, like voices in a cafe or a baby crying. The Buds 4 also have an adaptive mode for noise cancellation. This mode changes the level of noise cancellation based on the sounds around you . If you are in a quiet room, it will cancel less noise. If you are on a loud bus, it will cancel more.
Microphones and Call Quality
If you make a lot of phone calls with your earbuds, this section is for you.
Both the Buds 3 and the Buds 4 have three microphones in each earbud . They both use AI to cancel noise around you so your voice sounds clear on calls.
The Buds 4 have something extra: AI Translation. If you have a compatible OnePlus phone, you can use this feature to get real-time translations of conversations in many different languages . This is useful for travelers or people who work with other people who speak different languages.
Battery Life
You want your earbuds to last a long time without charging. Let's look at how long each pair lasts.
OnePlus Buds 3
OnePlus Buds 4
The Buds 4 give you one extra hour of total battery life. This is not a big difference. But the fast charging on the Buds 4 is better. A quick 10-minute charge gives you 11 hours of music. The Buds 3 give you 7 hours with the same quick charge .
Connectivity and Gaming
The OnePlus Buds 3 use Bluetooth 5.3 . The OnePlus Buds 4 use Bluetooth 5.4 . Bluetooth 5.4 is a newer version. It can give you a more stable connection and a longer range. OnePlus calls this feature "Steady Connect" on the Buds 4 .
Both earbuds support Google Fast Pair and dual-device connection. This means you can quickly connect them to your Android phone, and you can connect them to two devices at the same time.
Gamers will care about latency, which is the delay between the video and the sound. The Buds 3 have a latency of 94ms . The Buds 4 have a lower latency of 47ms . This lower latency means that when you play a game, the sound will be better matched to the action on your screen.
Special Features
Here are some other special features to think about.
Spatial Audio
Both earbuds have OnePlus 3D Audio. This feature creates a surround sound effect. It makes you feel like the sound is coming from all around you . This is good for watching movies or playing games.
Golden Sound
Both earbuds have Golden Sound. This feature does a quick test of your ears. Then it creates a sound profile that is made just for you .
Water Resistance
Both earbuds have an IP55 rating . This means they are protected against dust and against water spray from a nozzle. This rating does not cover the charging case. This means you can wear them while you exercise, but you should not swim with them or put them in the washing machine.
Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
The choice comes down to what you value most.
Choose the OnePlus Buds 3 if:
Choose the OnePlus Buds 4 if:
The OnePlus Buds 4 is the better earbud. It has better features in almost every area. But the OnePlus Buds 3 is still a very good earbud, and it costs less. If you have the extra money, the Buds 4 is a worthwhile upgrade. If you want to save money, the Buds 3 is still a strong choice for good quality sound and features.