The wireless earbuds market has been a whirlwind of innovation and fierce competition, and OnePlus has been steadily steering its ship through these turbulent waters. The latest vessel to join its fleet, the OnePlus Buds 4, sails into the arena with a promise to blend premium features with an accessible price tag, aiming squarely at budget-conscious audiophiles and everyday listeners alike. Following previous models like the Buds 3 and Buds Pro 3, these earbuds mark a notable leap forward in OnePlus’s quest to balance performance and value, making waves with advancements in active noise cancellation, audio technology, and intelligent features.
Setting sail on the journey of true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds, OnePlus has charted a course since its mid-2020 market debut with the original OnePlus Buds. Each subsequent offering pushed the envelope incrementally — the Buds 3 arrived early in 2024 with respectable noise cancellation and battery life, while the Buds Pro 3 upped the ante further with richer sound and better ANC. Now, the Buds 4 aim to take a substantial leap ahead, signaling OnePlus’s growing competence in this fiercely contested segment. Released first in China, these buds have since drawn global attention due to their improved features and attractive cost, highlighting OnePlus’s strategy to capture a broader swath of the market by offering solid performance without the premium price.
The standout feature of the Buds 4 is their enhanced active noise cancellation (ANC), which dramatically improves over the Buds 3’s already commendable 49 dB rating, jumping up to 55 dB. This upscaling not only drowns out more ambient noise but does so across an ultrawide frequency range of 5,500 Hz, meaning environments like noisy subway rides, packed cafes, or bustling city streets become a lot more bearable. For commuters and urban dwellers, this level of ANC translates to a quieter sanctuary for music, podcasts, or calls. The improvement isn’t just a number on a spec sheet — it’s a noticeable upgrade in everyday listening experiences. Such ANC performance is impressive in this price category and certainly positions the Buds 4 as a serious contender among budget wireless earbuds.
Sound is the heart and soul of any earbud, and here the Buds 4 chart a course toward richer, more immersive audio. The secret lies in their dual-driver design — a configuration where separate drivers handle different frequency ranges, typically with one dedicated to highs and another to mid and low frequencies. This arrangement results in noticeably improved clarity and depth, presenting a more nuanced and balanced soundscape compared to the usual single-driver earbuds in this segment. Whether you’re chasing crisp vocals during a podcast, deep bass in music, or natural tones on voice calls, the dual-driver setup elevates the listening journey. Moreover, OnePlus’s care for ergonomics shines through in the Buds 4’s half in-ear design, ensuring they stay comfortable for long durations — no fatigue or pesky fit issues. That’s a big win for users who wear their buds from dawn till dusk.
The wallet-friendly price point is a major anchor for the Buds 4’s appeal. With the Buds 3 priced around $100, the new model is expected to maintain or even improve affordability, hovering near $75 in markets like India. That aggressive pricing, especially when stacked against its feature set, makes these earbuds a tempting choice for consumers unwilling to break the bank but eager for quality sound and robust noise cancellation. This pricing strategy underscores OnePlus’s ambition to democratize premium wireless audio features, carving out a niche between entry-level earbuds and high-priced, flagship models from heavyweights like Sony and Apple.
Beyond sound and ANC, the Buds 4 impress with smart features designed for modern lifestyles. AI-powered translation capabilities open doors for seamless communication across languages, while enhanced noise suppression during calls boosts clarity, even in chaotic surroundings. For remote workers, students, or multitaskers on the move, these features raise the earbuds from mere audio devices to intelligent conversation partners. Additionally, though prior OnePlus earbuds saw flak over control placement—especially for workout enthusiasts fiddling with volume and playback—the Buds 4’s interface is expected to address these usability concerns, potentially making on-the-fly adjustments smoother and more intuitive.
Comparing the Buds 4 to the field, they strike an enviable balance of quality, innovation, and cost-effectiveness. Sony’s WH-1000XM series still reign supreme in premium ANC headphones but at a much steeper price. Edifier’s upcoming Neobuds Pro 2 also promises advanced noise cancellation but is less aggressive on pricing. Positioned between these two, the Buds 4 represent a savvy middle ground: excellent noise cancellation, dual-driver sound fidelity, intelligent features, and a budget-friendly tag. For consumers weighing options in the crowded TWS market, that blend is often the deciding factor.
At the end of the day, the OnePlus Buds 4 exemplify how thoughtful engineering and competitive pricing can come together to deliver a compelling product that punches above its weight. They are not just another entry in the entry-level segment but a statement of intent from OnePlus: to keep upgrading the sound experience, reduce compromises, and expand their loyal crew of users. Whether you’re a casual listener looking for affordable comfort or someone chasing quality ANC without blowing your budget, these earbuds offer a sound solution that’s well worth tuning into. So, let’s roll with the OnePlus Buds 4 — a fresh wind in the wireless audio seas!