Are the Nord Buds 4 Pro worth buying over cheaper competitors?

If you are looking for the best new pair of earbuds in this segment, these are almost certainly it. But check competitors like CMF Buds and Redmi Buds in the same price range.

Does 55dB ANC mean complete noise cancellation?

No — 55dB is the theoretical maximum claimed. Real-world performance depends on noise type and ear tip seal quality. ANC struggles in noisier environments.

Do they work well with non-OnePlus phones?

Connectivity was reliable. Ironically, OnePlus phones themselves don't deliver the highest LHDC bitrates — Nothing Phone (2) users and some other Android devices may actually get a better audio experience.

What's the difference between Nord Buds 4 Pro and the pricier OnePlus Buds 4?

OnePlus Buds 4 features a dual-driver, dual-DAC setup at ~€119 in Europe. Nord Buds 4 Pro delivers a single 12mm titanium-coated driver at $40. For tight budgets — Nord Buds 4 Pro is the better value proposition.

Will they reach markets outside India?

Launched India-first. OnePlus typically expands Nord audio products gradually to Asian, Middle Eastern, and European markets.

OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro Full Review — 55dB ANC, 54-Hour Battery and LHDC 5.0 at $40 With Important Caveats

OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro — The Most Spec-Heavy Earbuds at This Price?

The Nord Buds 4 Pro have good sound, good comfort, good microphone performance, reliable connectivity, and decent latency. The battery life should also be more than enough for most users. All in all, a fairly competent pair of earbuds for the price. Definitely worth checking out.

Design — Practical With Caveats

The Nord Buds 4 Pro feature a new case design with a familiar shape for the earbuds. The case looks like OnePlus's older Pro series models, but instead of opening horizontally, it's just the top that comes off. The earbuds come in two colors, Radiant Gray and Raven Black. The build quality and finish of the case are decent for the price with a smooth matte texture that resists fingerprints.

The matte texture carries over to the earbuds, but here it ends up feeling a bit cheap and gives an unpleasant sensation in your ears. This is further amplified by the cheap ear tips — they feel plasticky and don't create a great seal. That said, the earbuds are otherwise quite comfortable — wearable for several hours without fatigue.

Each earbud weighs just 4.4 grams.

Sound — Bass-Forward with Mid-Range Shortcomings

Equipped with 12mm titanium-coated dynamic drivers, OnePlus claims they deliver twice the power of Nord Buds 3 Pro. The company openly positions them as bass boosted.

The audio quality is crisp with clear vocals and a good amount of bass. Highs are good, and the mid-range is average.

ANC — The Standout Feature

The Nord Buds 4 Pro have active noise cancellation, with the company claiming up to 55dB of noise cancellation in a 5,000Hz range — said to be 200% better than the Nord Buds 3 Pro.

The ANC surprised me most. At 55dB, it handles fan noise, chatter, and street ambience without that uncomfortable pressure some ANC earbuds create. It feels natural rather than aggressive.

Battery — A Genuine Strength

Each earbud packs a 62mAh battery with a 530mAh charging case. OnePlus claims up to 13 hours on a single charge with ANC off and up to 54 hours total with the case. Ten minutes of charging adds 13 hours of additional playback.

The LHDC Problem — Advertising vs Reality

Connection performance was very good overall. However, the earbuds don't reach the full 1Mbps LHDC bitrate regardless of which devices were tested. The highest possible is 900kbps, and even lower without manually enabling Hi-Res mode through Android's developer settings. Notably, not a single OnePlus device can maintain high bitrates with LHDC or LDAC even with its own earbuds.

Software and Connectivity

Supports Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair, and dual-device pairing over Bluetooth 6.0. The HeyMelody app offers control over ANC levels, EQ, and touch gestures.

Price and Availability

Available at ₹3,999 (~$40), went on sale starting March 23.