OnePlus Nord Buds 4: The New King of Budget Sound with Impressive ANC

Is OnePlus Nord Buds 4 the ultimate budget-friendly earbuds with top-tier active noise cancellation? Explore the features of these promising earbuds.

Honest Noise Cancelling for Budget Earbuds? OnePlus Aims to Prove It

If you've ever wondered whether earbuds priced around $60 really deliver authentic active noise cancellation or if it’s just marketing smoke and mirrors, you’re not alone. This debate has lingered for years in the budget audio market. But mark your calendars for June 25th — that’s when OnePlus plans to clear the air with the official release of the OnePlus Nord Buds 4. These wireless earbuds boast active noise cancellation (ANC) up to 55 dB, six built-in microphones, and an impressive 54-hour battery life. Sounds like flagship specs, right? Yet, they come in at a price point that’s easy on the wallet.

12mm Drivers with Titanium Coating and Record-Breaking Noise Cancellation

The sound in these earbuds comes from 12mm dynamic drivers coated with titanium. OnePlus claims this setup delivers deep bass and crisp highs. While that might sound like typical marketing talk, there’s a solid technical foundation here: larger drivers physically can move more air, which typically enhances the lower frequencies. What’s still to be seen is how honestly the sound profile is tuned in practice.

A large driver physically capable of moving more air really impacts the lower frequencies.

ANC is the real star here. With noise cancellation depth reaching 55 dB and six microphones dedicated to call quality, OnePlus is bringing a level of noise isolation usually found in pricier models. For comparison, the much-praised Sony WF-1000XM5, known for its top-tier ANC, offers a similar noise reduction figure. If OnePlus truly brings this ANC level to the budget segment, it’s a game-changer.

Each earbud weighs a mere 4.3 grams, which is excellent for in-ear models — they won’t press uncomfortably or tire your ears during long usage, assuming you find a fit that suits your ear shape. The earbuds come with silicone tips in three sizes, a standard but appreciated approach for ear comfort.

The stems now sport a uniform thickness instead of the tapered design seen in previous generations. This redesign expands the touch control area to about 40% of the stem length, significantly reducing accidental taps. Anyone who’s ever fumbled with the touch sensors on earlier Nord Buds models can appreciate this thoughtful update.

OnePlus also includes support for the LHDC 5.0 codec, which handles Hi-Res Audio streaming. LHDC offers higher bitrates under ideal conditions, but the real boon depends heavily on your source device and environment. In plain terms: this codec shines only on compatible smartphones, mostly found on Android devices like OnePlus smartphones, Oppo smartphones, Honor, and some Xiaomi models. Apple users, however, will be limited to AAC streaming.

54 Hours Battery Life: Reality Check

Boasting up to 54 hours of total playback with the charging case sounds impressive, but there’s a catch: this figure applies only when playing AAC audio at half volume with ANC turned off.

This small but important detail can easily be overlooked in flashy advertisements. With ANC on and volume set at comfortable listening levels, the actual battery life will be noticeably shorter. For reference, the predecessor OnePlus Buds 3 showed about a 30-35% gap between advertised and real-world battery life. Expect around 6 to 7 hours per charge with ANC active on the Nord Buds 4 — which is still solid for earbuds priced under $60.

Spatial Audio: The Ecosystem Catch

Nord Buds 4 support spatial audio, but here’s the twist: this feature only works on select OnePlus and Oppo smartphones running OxygenOS 12 or ColorOS 12 and newer versions.

This isn’t a glitch, but an intentional ecosystem lock-in. Apple does something similar, restricting full spatial audio functionality to iPhones and Macs, but they’re upfront about it. OnePlus, meanwhile, tends to slip this crucial limitation under the radar in its marketing.

There are two types of spatial audio featured: 3D Spatial Audio for movies and Game Sound Spatial Audio for gaming. Both require pairing with a compatible phone from the right brands. For everyone else, the Nord Buds 4 remain simple stereo earbuds with ANC — no spatial magic.

There’s also a cautionary tale from the past. Users reported issues after firmware updates on Nord Buds 3 Pro, like reset equalizer settings and Bluetooth connection instability. Although the bugs were fixed, it leaves a slight warning: keep an eye on firmware updates and don’t rush to install new patches immediately after release.

Budget TWS Market: Who Are The Real Competitors?

Compared to rivals, the Nord Buds 4 look strong on paper. Redmi Buds 6 Active are similarly priced but fall short on ANC strength and lack LHDC codec support. Realme Buds Air 6 cost a bit less but don’t last as long on a single charge. Nothing Ear (1) earbuds are in the same price league with comparable ANC, but no Hi-Res Audio and a smaller charging case battery.

The main competition could be the predecessor itself. Nord Buds 3 Pro now sell for around $40-$50, and if the sound and ANC improvements on the new model are marginal, the older version might remain a better bargain.

Design and Accessories

The Nord Buds 4 come in two colors: sleek black and subtle light green. The case is a standard plastic capsule shape with USB-C charging. Wireless charging isn’t included, which makes sense considering the affordable price tag.

Touch controls offer a range of gestures, including swipes for volume adjustments — a nice convenience. To tweak sound settings and update firmware, the HeyMelody app is available on all app stores with Russian language support.

Price and Availability

The Nord Buds 4 are expected to launch around $60, while the Nord Buds 3 Pro currently hover between $40 and $50 at authorized sellers. You can find official OnePlus products on popular online marketplaces and authorized resellers.

Usage Experience and Localization

There are no localization issues: these earbuds connect seamlessly via Bluetooth with any smartphone globally, without region locks. The HeyMelody app supports Russian, and LHDC codec works on most recent Android devices including Xiaomi, Honor, and Oppo models.

However, the ecosystem limitation remains: spatial audio works only on OnePlus and Oppo phones. Owners of Samsung, Xiaomi (outside LHDC support), and iPhones won’t access this feature, and no software workaround exists.

Should You Buy Them?

Grab Nord Buds 4 if:

• You own a OnePlus or Oppo phone and want the full experience, including ANC, spatial audio, and LHDC codec.
• You need effective noise cancellation without breaking the bank. 55 dB ANC at this price is rare.
• You wear earbuds all day and want solid battery life with ANC on (expect 6-7 hours per charge).

Skip them if:

• Spatial audio is a must-have, but your phone isn’t from OnePlus or Oppo.
• You dislike in-ear designs with silicone tips.
• You expect the same sound quality and features as the older Nord Buds 3 Pro at the same price; the older model might be a better deal.

Keep in mind: early firmware might have bugs, battery life claims are optimistic, and some key features tie you to a specific smartphone ecosystem.

The Illusion of Choice in Budget Audio

The budget true wireless earbuds market is a curious space. It looks fiercely competitive, with dozens of brands and hundreds of models claiming various decibel reductions and battery runtimes. But dig deeper, and you find less variety than you’d expect — often the same factories, drivers, and Qualcomm chips behind multiple brands.

That said, the difference lies in software tuning, honest performance claims, and ecosystem loyalty. OnePlus Nord Buds 4 fits right into this pattern: a solid and straightforward product with one ecosystem catch.

Here’s something to ponder: what if in a few years, specs like codecs, ANC, and battery life become standard across the board? Then the only real question will be which ecosystem you want to live in for the next several years. OnePlus is betting you’ll pick theirs — and at just $60, that gamble seems pretty reasonable.

Selling earbuds is only half the battle. The real game is selling a ticket to your ecosystem.

• How effective is the ANC on Nord Buds 4 compared to pricier models?
  The ANC is rated up to 55 dB, comparable to premium earbuds like Sony WF-1000XM5, making it exceptional for the budget segment.
• Do Nord Buds 4 support wireless charging?
  No, the charging case only supports USB-C wired charging.
• Will spatial audio work on any smartphone?
  No. It only functions on OnePlus and Oppo phones running recent OxygenOS or ColorOS versions.
• Can I use these earbuds with an iPhone?
  Yes, but you’ll be limited to AAC codec without access to LHDC or spatial audio features.
• Are there any known issues with firmware updates?
  Some earlier models had bugs affecting Bluetooth stability and equalizer settings, so it’s wise to wait a few days before updating new firmware.

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