OnePlus Nord Buds 3r first impressions: Affordable and feature-packed

OnePlus has expanded its Nord audio lineup with the

Nord Buds 3r

TWS earphones. These new earbuds are now available across online and offline channels in India. Coming at an introductory price of Rs 1,599 (down from the original Rs 1,799), and going as low as Rs 1,499 with select bank offers, these earbuds aim to deliver a solid mix of performance and features without stretching your budget. Here’s what stood out in our initial experience.

Design and Comfort

The Nord Buds 3r carry the familiar minimalistic Nord look. These earbuds are available in Aura Blue and Ash Black. We got the Aura Blue variant. The earbuds feature a compact stem design with a matte finish and offer a lightweight feel in the ear. Thanks to their IP55 rating, they should handle dust, sweat, and light splashes with ease, making them suitable for workouts or outdoor use.During our early testing, the fit felt snug, and the buds stayed in place even with quick head movements. The touch controls, including the Aqua Touch feature, responded accurately, allowing actions like adjusting playback or even capturing photos with Tap 2 Take.

Audio Performance

At the heart of the Nord Buds 3r are 12.4mm titanium-coated dynamic drivers which, OnePlus says, are tuned for deep bass and crisp sound. In our brief listening, the audio leaned towards a punchy profile, especially on bass-heavy tracks. The mids and vocals came through clearly, making them enjoyable for streaming and casual listening.Users can choose between preset EQ modes or fine-tune the output with a 6-band equaliser via the HeyMelody app. For calls, the dual-mic AI noise cancellation made voices sound cleaner in noisy surroundings.

Features and Connectivity

One of the highlights of these earbuds is the long 54-hour claimed total playtime, backed by TÜV Rheinland Battery Health Certification for consistent long-term performance. A quick charge provides hours of playback, adding to the convenience.Connectivity is modern and versatile, with Bluetooth 5.4, low-latency game mode, Google Fast Pair, and dual-device support. The extra touches, like real-time AI translation and Find My Earbuds, make the Nord Buds 3r more than just entry-level earbuds.

What We Think

At a starting price of Rs 1,599, the

OnePlus Nord Buds 3r

deliver an impressive set of features for their segment, which range from extended battery life, AI noise cancellation, customisable sound and thoughtful additional features. Early impressions suggest they’re designed for everyday use, whether for calls, music, or gaming.We’ll reserve our final verdict for the full review, where we’ll dive deeper into sound tuning, call quality, and real-world battery performance. For now, the Nord Buds 3r look like a promising option in the budget TWS space.