OnePlus has a fairly predictable approach to its Nord audio lineup: pack in as many features as possible while keeping the price tag aggressive. Usually, this translates to heavy, overwhelming bass and cheap plastic builds.
However, the new OnePlus Nord Buds 4 take a slightly different direction. Rather than simply blowing out your eardrums with low-end frequencies right out of the box, these earbuds aim for a more balanced sound profile and a surprisingly premium physical construction.
I have spent the last few days using them as my primary audio gear, and the experience breaks away from the typical budget formula.
Design and case quality
The first thing that grabbed my attention was the OnePlus Nord Buds 4’s charging case. In a price segment where hollow, flimsy plastic hinges are the absolute norm, this case feels exceptionally well-constructed. The lid has a solid, weighted mechanism and snaps shut with a highly satisfactory, reassuring click. It genuinely feels like a piece of hardware that belongs in a much higher price bracket. However, just one little con with the case is that the pebble-like finish scratches really easily, and it might look a bit worn after a couple of months of pocket use.
The overall finish of the case is smooth, and it slips easily into a jeans pocket without feeling bulky. At around 4.3 grams, the earbuds themselves are lightweight with a standard stem design. They offer a secure, comfortable fit, making them easy to wear for hours while working at a desk without causing any ear fatigue or discomfort.
Audio Performance
The sound signature is where the Nord Buds 4 completely deviates from the budget market standard. Most affordable wireless earbuds are tuned to be heavily bass-forward, which often muddies the vocals and hides the finer details of a track. Here, the default bass is definitely present and punchy, but it is tightly controlled.
The good thing is that this bass can be reduced via the equaliser if you prefer a flatter profile. On the flip side, if you are someone who specifically wants skull-rattling bass for gym workouts, there is a dedicated ‘Bass mode’ in the companion app that immediately delivers that extra heavy thump.
Beyond the low-end, the tuning focuses heavily on a wider soundstage and crisp treble. I ran these earbuds through a very mixed, versatile playlist to see how they handle different genres. Listening to Michael Jackson tracks, the quick snaps, hi-hats, and layers in Michael’s voice were incredibly clear. I then switched to the Cocktail 2 soundtrack, which features a mix of heavy Indian instrumentation and electronic beats, and the vocal clarity remained excellent.
However, this emphasis on crisp treble does have a slight drawback. In certain songs, such as Kawa Kawa, I felt the vocals and high notes became a little piercing and irritating at higher volumes. It is a minor quirk, but something to keep in mind if you frequently listen to tracks with high-pitched vocals or aggressive treble.
Noise Cancellation and microphones
Active noise cancellation (ANC) in budget earbuds is usually a hit-or-miss feature. Half the time, it just slightly muffles the outside world without making a real difference. The ANC on the Nord Buds 4, however, is highly effective. It easily managed to cut off the majority of background hums, ceiling fans, and general household noises during my testing. It easily ranks as one of the best noise-cancelling implementations I have experienced in this specific budget space.
Call quality is equally reliable. Each earbud is equipped with three separate microphones to handle voice pickup and environmental noise reduction. I mainly used them for making phone calls to friends while walking around my home, and the audio on the other end was consistently clear. The microphone setup does a very good job of isolating your voice from ambient room noise, meaning you do not have to shout or repeat yourself during a normal conversation.
Battery Endurance and the Companion App
Battery life is another area where you will rarely face any anxiety. During my entire testing period, I was actually unable to drain the battery entirely from 100 to zero. Based on the battery drop I observed during continuous use, you can safely expect at least 20 hours of total playback time with ANC turned on and the volume pushed all the way to maximum. If you listen at moderate volumes, which is usually loud enough for most environments, that number will stretch even further. You can easily take these on a weekend trip without carrying the charging cable.
On the software side, the earbuds pair with the HeyMelody app (or integrate directly into the Bluetooth settings if you happen to use a OnePlus smartphone). The app interface is clean, straightforward, and avoids unnecessary visual clutter. It gives you quick access to essential features like tweaking the equaliser, turning on the aforementioned Bass mode, customising the touch controls, and toggling the different ANC modes. It does exactly what it needs to do without forcing you to navigate through complicated sub-menus.
The Verdict
The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 are a refreshing option in a very crowded and repetitive budget audio market. By offering a balanced default tuning with the option to aggressively boost or reduce the bass via the app, OnePlus has created a versatile pair of earbuds that let you hear the fine details in your music. Combined with a premium charging case, highly effective noise cancellation, and good batterylife, they offer genuine, practical value. OnePlus has priced these TWS at Rs 3,299 and for that price I think they are definately worth checking out.