Noise reduction and transparency mode have improved.
Intuitive controls and a feature-rich app.
Excellent battery life.
Durable and reliable build quality.
Cons
Minor drawbacks: if you minimize the app on a OnePlus, you’ll need to reopen it.
UPD – 06/23/25 – Sound evaluation correction, new benchmark set by the Technics EAH-AZ100.
OnePlus Buds 4 – the long-awaited review. My expectations were absolutely through the roof. This review turned out to be an interesting read, so make sure to stick around until the end. We’ll, of course, compare the new Buds 4 with the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro ($66), the previous version, the OnePlus Buds 3 ($57), the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 ($120), and the HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 4 ($170). And naturally, I’ll compare them to their twin brother, the OPPO Enco Free 4 ($68). I’ll also briefly stack them up against the Technics EAH-AZ100 ($403). And we’ll find out if the OnePlus Buds 4 are the new king of TWS, or if Realme has held its ground.
The OnePlus Buds 4 are 2025’s wireless in-earTWS earbuds, priced at around $73. The company has focused on delivering improved sound, enhanced noise reduction, a translator function, and reduced audio delay for gaming. We’ll be putting all of these claims to the test.
The most interesting aspects of the OnePlus Buds 4 are what the manufacturer claims:
Thanks everyone for over 1000 likes on the short + video news! And thank you for all the comments and questions on the first look and under the news post. It’s truly motivating to keep releasing reviews, knowing you find them helpful. And now, for that promised bonus!
Don’t miss the latest news, reviews and ratings about good sound.
Содержание
Sound – OnePlus Buds 4
By default, the OnePlus Buds 4 produce a bass-heavy sound.
If we switch to AAC, we experience approximately a 15% drop in quality, and the sound becomes slightly worse than with the standard OnePlus Buds 3. This highlights why LHDC 5.0 support is crucial. Next, we’ll provide an evaluation and description of the sound using LHDC 5.0. When used with an iPhone or an Android device without LHDC, you can safely deduct 1.5 points for sound quality out of 10.
Important! These headphones only support the LHDC 5 codec. The codec works stably on OnePlus phones. On other phones with the LHDC 5 codec, the headphones may not work. In some cases, activating LHDC 5 in the headphone settings under the Bluetooth menu can help. Then, enable the codec in the dedicated app. However, this method doesn’t always work.
I recommend enabling High Sound Resolution Mode in the app’s settings. The Serenade equalizer actually worsens the sound if you attempt to boost the vocals; it’s better to stick with the default preset. I suggest setting up the Golden Hearing profile as it genuinely improves the sound after testing. This can add an approximate 0.2-0.3 points out of 10 in quality. However, its effectiveness will depend on your individual hearing.
The sound port on the Buds 4, which is the same size as on the Buds 3, was a point of contention in the comments. Fortunately, the old ear tips still fit.
There’s plenty of volume to spare; it was tested at 70%, so you shouldn’t have any volume issues.
Frequency balance: 8.8/10. The overall sound profile leans towards accentuated bass and treble, presenting a classic V-shaped signature.
Bass: 9/10 (Realme Buds Air 7 Pro is the benchmark). The bass is impactful, soft, and very groovy—a clear improvement over the 3s. It’s well-controlled, unlike some Nothing or Soundcore Liberty models. In my favorite Lenny Kravitz song, “Low,” which features a gorgeous bass line, it sounds a bit “sandpapered,” meaning less textured than the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro. While the Realme might have less overall bass, it offers more texture and harmony. If you prefer your bass softer and less textured, the OnePlus Buds 4 deliver exactly that sound. In Sting’s “Englishman in New York,” the live double bass also sounds enveloping, but again, it’s slightly lacking in texture when compared to the Realme. This also holds true for tracks like The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” and Michael Jackson’s “P.Y.T.”
Midrange: 8.5/10 (Technics EAH-AZ80 is the benchmark). The vocal presentation is very intimate and pleasant, though still slightly more distant than with the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro. In Oasis’s “Don’t Go Away,” where I typically assess vocal proximity, Liam Gallagher sings right to you, and everything is perfectly audible. You’ll only notice the difference when comparing it head-to-head with the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro. With the Realme, the vocals cut through the instruments, creating a strong sense of presence, allowing you to better hear vocal nuances and a slight rasp. While the OnePlus also offers a sense of presence, it’s a bit weaker. The same effect can be observed in Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror.” Due to a slight distancing of the vocals within the mix, 1.5 points have been deducted.
High Frequencies: 9/10 (Technics EAH-AZ100 is the benchmark). The highs sound excellent—detailed, natural, and moderately bright. In Oasis’s “Don’t Go Away,” the acoustic guitars are superb, and the metallic drums, shaker, and tambourine are distinctly separated across different channels. Everything is top-notch. They are very close to the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro; the Realme are slightly brighter but fall a bit short on detail when compared directly. Based on the fact that I removed the sound port mesh from the OPPO, it’s likely the same 6mm tweeter is inside as in the Realme. The slight lack of detail in the high frequencies could be due to a changed position or the overall more downward sound delivery, which might subtly obscure the soundstage. This is noticeable in tracks like Eagles’ “Hotel California” and Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” and “Lose Yourself to Dance.”
Due to a slight lack of detail, 1 point has been deducted.
Detail: 8.5/10 (Technics EAH-AZ100 is the benchmark). The OnePlus earbuds offer good detail overall, excellent in the highs, good in the mids, but they fall slightly short in the lows. The bass tends to be a bit bloated and lacks the reference-quality texture you’d desire, unlike what’s found in the Realme (as heard in Oasis’s “Don’t Go Away”). Instrument separation is also superior with the Realme (evident in Johnny Cash’s “Hurt”).
Due to a lack of detail across the lows, mids, and highs, 1.5 points have been deducted.
Stage: 8.5/10 (Technics EAH-AZ100 is the benchmark). The soundstage extends wider than the listener’s head, and instrument positioning is excellent, but the bass tends to fill the soundstage excessively. When compared to the reference, the stage is slightly narrower than with the Realme. This is perfectly audible at the beginning of Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror,” where small inserts of percussion and metallic drums are separated into different channels, along with distinct background vocals.
Due to a slightly narrower soundstage compared to the reference, 1.5 points have been deducted.
Naturalness: 8.5/10 (Technics EAH-AZ100 is the benchmark). The naturalness of metallic drums, percussion, acoustics, and other high-frequency instruments is excellent. However, there’s a slight lack of naturalness in the lows, specifically in the more detailed and accurate rendering of the double bass and bass guitar (noticeable in Sting’s “Englishman in New York” and Lenny Kravitz’s “Low”).
Due to a lack of naturalness in the low frequencies, 1.5 points have been deducted.
The sound rating for the OnePlus Buds 4 among all TWS headphones is 8.6/10 (with the Technics EAH-AZ100 being the 10/10 benchmark). With the golden profile activated, you might achieve a 9/10, though individual results may vary.
The primary drawback in terms of sound is a slight lack of detail and texture, which is only noticeable when directly comparing them head-to-head with the Realme. Conversely, the main advantage is the gorgeous, top-tier low-frequency sound. It offers a very similar feel to the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro, but with a more pronounced bass. The difference in sound quality is only about 0.7 points out of 10, which is not substantial.
So what’s the best thing to get in the end?
It’s simple—the OnePlus Buds 4 is for those who prefer a bass-heavy, softer, and more enveloping sound. Think Daft Punk’s dance music, Eminem’s hip-hop, or The Weeknd’s electronica. For that kind of audio experience, I highly recommend the OnePlus Buds 4. They really deliver on powerful bass, which Realme can’t quite match. The music is incredibly engaging, a solid 10/10. With the OnePlus Buds 4, you’ll feel like dancing and just getting lost in the sound, simply enjoying it as you walk down the street.
The Realme Buds Air 7 Pro are designed for listeners who prioritize timbre, vocal intimacy, and emotional depth. They offer a less bass-heavy but more detailed and analytical sound, providing the clarity to discern individual musical parts. With the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro, you’ll still feel like dancing, but to quieter genres that invite you to sit back and truly immerse yourself in the music. You’ll enjoy every detail, every layer, and discover new sounds, appreciating all the nuances and intricacies.
Warming Up. You can warm up the headphones if you wish.
Replace the ear tips. Use the ear tips from the set or from previous headphones. The size and shape of the ear tips should ensure the earbud fits snugly in the ear canal. The ear tips should not cause discomfort during headphone use, such as pressure or rubbing on the skin.
Optional and Drastic Step. (Don’t attempt this unless you are absolutely sure, and while the headphone warranty is still valid.) Carefully remove the meshes on the sound drivers with a needle; they obstruct the sound flow from the driver to your eardrum.
Programmatically:
Listen to music in high quality. Always set the sound quality to high in the app settings of your music streaming services. When listening to music from your phone’s memory, it’s recommended to use MP3 files with a quality of no less than 320 kbps, and for FLAC, no less than 1010 kbps.
Change the Codec. Select the codec in your phone’s settings or the proprietary app.
Use Third-Party Software. You can customize the sound in various pre-installed applications on your phone, such as Dolby Atmos, or use third-party equalizers from the Google Play Store.
Change the Player. The sound in each music player differs due to its unique sound settings and equalizer. On Android, you can achieve excellent sound with PowerAMP and HibyMusic.
Adjust the equalizer. Select your preferred sound settings yourself or choose a suitable preset in the equalizer of any music player.
Turn on the Noise Cancellation Function. Use noise cancellation to reduce ambient noise and immerse yourself in your music more enjoyably.
Use the Proprietary App. You can download it for Android and iOS.
🎮 Sound in games 7.5/10 – comfortable sound with comfortable lag:
Sound Latency: 7/10. It’s excellent, especially if you disable high-resolution audio. Gaming is comfortable.
📌 What are we listening to? ✅ Footsteps and gunshots → sound responds instantly or is it delayed? ✅ Low delay mode → does it give real improvement? ✅ Synchronicity → at sharp turns camera and sound coincide or not?
🎧 1-5/10 → severe delay from 500ms, sound lags, impossible to play. 🎧 6-7/10 → slight delay up to 100ms, but still playable. 🎧 8-10/10 → sound matches perfectly with picture 20-40ms, no delay.
The sound in games rates an 8/10. It’s great for picking up enemy movements, but you’ll need some time to adjust to the slight delay in your own footsteps, which can occasionally be confusing, making you mistake them for an opponent. Enabling spatial audio in the app significantly improves the gaming experience.
📌 What are we listening to? ✅ Enemy footsteps → can you clearly hear where the enemy is coming from? ✅ Shots and explosions → is the sound realistically localized in space? ✅ Scene panorama → are front/back/side sounds distinguishable?
🎧 1-5/10 → sound is chaotic, footsteps and shooting indistinguishable, from one point. 🎧 6-7/10 → direction is audible, but detail is poor. 🎧 8-10/10 → accurate 3D positioning, easy to identify enemy by sound.
📊 How we score, music and sources.
It’s about benchmarks. And about tracks for the test + links. Standards for the test. Standards for the test – source, codec, streaming, volume.
Tests are conducted using a OnePlus 11 (Android) and an iPhone 14 Pro (iOS), streaming from Deezer HiFi (regarding this subscription) in FLAC format (1411 kb/s).
My playlist – for headphone testing:
Michael Jackson – P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing). Pop-Funk. ✅ Bass and Naturalness Check – The timbre of the main bass synth should sound natural and be audible. The bass here is powerful, but it shouldn’t overwhelm other frequency ranges. ✅ Detail and Soundstage Width Check – Backing vocals and percussion in the right channel should be clearly audible. ✅ High Frequencies and Treble Naturalness Check – The metallic sounds of the drums in this composition should sound soft and natural, without harshness. The drums in this song are recorded and mixed exquisitely (Jonathan Moffett – a drumming virtuoso).
Oasis – Don’t Go Away. Alternative Rock, Britpop. ✅ Naturalness Check – The acoustic guitar should sound natural. ✅ Bass Check – The kick drum, toms, and snare in this composition are quite subdued, and if the bass is poor, the drum fills will simply be inaudible. ✅ Midrange Check – Liam’s voice should sound open and not get lost. This composition has many live instruments that can easily obscure the midrange and vocals, adding muddiness or a closed-in feel to the voice. ✅ Highs and Naturalness Check – At the end of the song, my favorite part with the acoustic guitar and tambourine; they should be clearly separated and sound natural, without harshness or artificiality.
Twenty One Pilots – Backslide. Hip-Hop, Alternative Pop. ✅ Detail Check. In this composition, Tyler created numerous backing vocals with and without effects (as always); they should be clearly separated and audible. ✅ Soundstage Width Check – A shaker that appears and disappears, moving from channel to channel, perfectly demonstrates the width of the sound. The backing vocals, which are excellently spread across the channels, also do this.
Adele – Rolling in the Deep. Pop, Soul, Blues. ✅ Midrange and Vocal Check – Adele’s voice here should be clear, with a sense of presence, without veil or muddiness.
Eagles – Hotel California (Live on MTV, 1994). Rock, Country-Rock. God bless those who recorded and mixed this live performance. ✅ Soundstage Width Check – Crowd sounds, background effects, instrument placement. ✅ Highs Check – Two shakers in the left and right channels should be clearly audible and not sound artificial.
The rating is given in accordance with our “Rating 3.0” methodology.
Sound — 50% of the total rating:
Frequency Balance — how harmonically the headphones reproduce low, mid, and high frequencies.
Soundstage or Sound Space — the headphones’ ability to create a sense of 3D volume and space in the music.
Detail or Resolution — the headphones’ ability to convey the smallest sound nuances with high precision.
Naturalness or Timbral Balance — maintaining the natural sound of instruments, effects, and vocals.
Features and Build — 50% of the total rating:
Microphone Quality.
Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode.
Battery Life, Controls, App, and other features.
Build Quality: wearing comfort, durability, and design + available colors.
OnePlus Buds 4 – Comparison with Competitors:
Comparison to its main clone, the OPPO Enco Free 4 ($68):
OnePlus Buds 4 ($73) vs OPPO Enco Free 4 ($68)
Drivers: 11mm Dynamic Drivers + 6mm Planar Magnetic
The sound quality across both models is identical. The only significant distinction is the Dynaudio tuning available in some OPPO headphones, though it’s generally advised against purchasing versions without this feature online.
11 mm driver + 6 mm planar tweeter, dual DAC, Dynaudio “tuning” (there is a version without Dynaudio)
Active noise reduction
Up to 55 dB, frequency range 5.5 kHz, TÜV-certified.
Up to 55 dB, 5.5 kHz, TÜV-certified
Hi-Res codec
LHDC 5.0 (up to 192 kHz/1 Mbps)
LHDC 5.0 (up to 192 kHz/1 Mbps)
Bluetooth
5.4, 47 ms game mode
5.4, 54 ms low latency
Autonomy (case + headphones, ANC off)
11 hrs, 45 hrs with case study
11 hrs, 45 hrs with case study
Defense
IP55
IP55
Features
Golden Sound, AI voice/face-to-face translation, AI call summarization, adaptive ANC
Golden Sound, AI voice/face-to-face translation, AI call summarization, adaptive ANC
Factual:
In the HeyMelody app settings, the Oppo headphones have an additional EQ setting from Dynaudio that simply boosts the bass. It’s pretty useless, as it doesn’t actually improve the sound quality.
When switching between noise reduction and transparency modes on the OnePlus, you’ll just hear a beep. With the Chinese version of the Oppo, you’ll hear voice prompts in Chinese. The in-app translation feature works similarly for both.
The main differences lie in their design. The Oppo headphone case has a glossy finish, while the OnePlus case is matte. Additionally, the Oppo Dynaudio model features an insert on the back of the case, which isn’t present on the OnePlus.
Other than these points, there are generally no significant differences.
Bottom line:
I recommend the OnePlus Buds 4. You won’t get any Chinese notifications, and the matte finish of the case is both more attractive and more durable. The Oppo is available in black and white, while the OnePlus comes in gray and green.
Comparison to its main competitor, the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro ($66):
OnePlus Buds 4 ($73) vs Realme Buds Air 7 Pro ($66)
Drivers: 11mm Dynamic Drivers + 6mm Planar Magnetic
I liked the design on the OnePlus better, a bit more comfortable and without the glossy look.
MyChooz among the two models is the Realme model in terms of sound, features and OnePlus design. If they make the 4 Pro with sound on par or even better than Realme, do you know what we will get?
The sound quality has improved by one point out of ten. The midrange is significantly better, the bass is more controlled, and the treble has improved. The soundstage, detail, and naturalness are all enhanced.
My definitive choice is the OnePlus Buds 4.
The comparison is the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 ($120):
OnePlus Buds 4 ($73) vs OnePlus Buds Pro 3 ($120)
Drivers: 11mm Dynamic Drivers + 6mm Planar Magnetic
The sound in the OnePlus Buds 4 is a slight improvement over the OnePlus Buds 3 Pro. While there’s a little less bass, it’s notably more natural. The midrange is definitively better—this is a key highlight—with vocals sounding closer, higher quality, and more emotional. The treble remains roughly the same. Overall, the detail, naturalness, and soundstage are all enhanced.
My absolute choice for sound quality is the OnePlus Buds 4 ($73).
I’ll provide more details about their features next.
When it comes to sound, my pick here, with a slight edge, is the OnePlus Buds 4 ($73). However, in terms of overall features, the Huawei Freebuds Pro 4 takes the lead.
The comparison is the HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 4 ($170):
OnePlus Buds 4 ($73) vs HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 4 ($170)
Drivers: 11mm Dynamic Drivers + 6mm Planar Magnetic
The sound quality in the OnePlus Buds 4 is slightly superior to that of the HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 4. This is particularly noticeable in the improved quality of the highs, a slightly more forward midrange, and a more pronounced, yet balanced, bass response in the OnePlus Buds 4.
However, the HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 4 reign supreme in terms of features. They boast the best microphone, excellent noise cancelation, superb transparency mode, and a flawless accompanying app.
Ultimately, for pure sound quality, the OnePlus Buds 4 ($73) has a slight edge. But when it comes to overall features, the HUAWEI Freebuds Pro 4 takes the lead.
MyChooz between the Technics EAH-AZ100 ($404) and the OnePlus Buds 4 ($74) is the Technics EAH-AZ100. The sound of the Technics EAH-AZ100 is head and shoulders better than the OnePlus Buds 4 in all aspects but bass; across the rest of the model, it’s about on par. Although the bass in the OnePlus is bigger and less textured than in the Realme.
The microphone on the OnePlus Buds 4 scores an 8.5/10, showing no change from the OnePlus Buds 3 version, and performing identically to the Oppo Enco Free 4. In quiet environments, it rates a 9/10, dropping to an 8/10 in noisy conditions. An additional test in windy conditions (the third scenario) was conducted due to a specific request.
The OnePlus Buds 3 microphone scores an 8.75/10. It rates a 9/10 in quiet conditions and an 8.5/10 in noisy environments.
The Oppo Enco Free 4 microphone scores an 8.5/10. It rates a 9/10 in quiet conditions and an 8/10 in noisy environments.
Realme Buds Air 7 PRO microphone, unchanged at 8/10. In quiet conditions – 9/10. In noisy conditions – 7/10.
Comparison with the benchmark Huawei Freebuds Pro 4 ($170) – 9.75/10. In quiet conditions – 9.5/10. In noisy conditions – 10/10.
Noise Reduction: 7.5/10 (The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are the benchmark here). This feature has improved by 0.5 points, up from 6.5/10 in the OnePlus Buds 3 version. It’s excellent at muffling car sounds, voices, and monotonous hums, performing identically to the 3 Pro at 7.5/10, and slightly better than the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro.
Transparency Mode: 8.5/10 (The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 3 set the standard). This mode has seen a 1-point improvement, rising from 7.5/10 in the OnePlus Buds 3 version. It’s significantly better than the 3 Pro, which scored 6/10, and also outperforms the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro (8/10).
Battery Life: 8/10 (The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC is the benchmark). The OnePlus Buds 4 offer an impressive battery life, lasting 30-60 minutes longer depending on the codec. You’ll get approximately 11 hours with AAC and around 5 hours with LHDC. With the charging case, the total battery life extends to 45 hours when using the AAC codec, an improvement over the 44 hours seen with version 3. These figures have been confirmed in real-world testing. Neither fast charging nor wireless charging is supported, which is also the case for Oppo. Charging the earbuds fully takes about 50 minutes, and a full charge for both the earbuds and the case takes approximately 80 minutes.
Points Deducted: -1 point: Lack of wireless or fast charging. -1 point: Autonomy when compared to the benchmark.
Details on autonomy:
Management: 9/10 (The Huawei FreeBuds Pro 4 sets the standard). The controls are excellent and remain unchanged from previous versions, featuring swipes up and down for volume, along with customizable single, double, and triple taps. The only notable improvement is that the flat stem is now more comfortable to press, earning a +0.5 point bonus.
Points Deducted: -1 point: Lack of a squeeze-to-control stem, as found on the 3 Pro, which would have made the controls perfect.
Control Scheme:
Here’s the basic control scheme:
Swipe up/down on the earpiece to increase/decrease the volume.
Press the earpiece once for Play/Pause.
Double-tap the earpiece to switch to the next track.
Triple-press the earpiece to switch to the previous track.
Long-press the earpiece to toggle between noise reduction and transparency modes.
The app scores a 9/10, making it also excellent (with the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro as the benchmark). New additions include an icon for adaptive noise reduction/transparency, AI translation, and camera control (a double-tap triggers a camera shot, also available for the Plus 3). Notification volume control has also been added. Otherwise, the app remains consistent. HeyMelody is available for both Android and iOS.
-1 point: It’s incredibly frustrating with this particular OnePlus phone that minimizing the app requires you to navigate back through Bluetooth settings every single time. This is a nonsensical usability flaw.
All available features in the app:
Available in the app:
Battery level display
Activating and setting active noise reduction (ANC), transparency mode, and disabling these functions
Equalizer and sound presets
Sound personalization
Control reconfiguration
Selecting the right ear cushions
Low Latency Mode – Auto
Headphone locator
Firmware update
Voice assistant integration
Answering calls when the case is opened and headphones are put on
Link stability 10/10 (❗️benchmark). Within 10m, the signal remains uninterrupted with the LHDC codec using adaptive bitrate. Bluetooth version 5.4.
Important features and sensors:
Multipoint – Yes.
Auto-pause when headphones are removed – Yes.
Google Fast Pair support – None (in the Chinese version).
There is no support for Swift Pair for Windows.
Translator 7/10. It offers simultaneous translation and an in-person mode, supporting a total of 35 languages. The translation isn’t instant, with a delay of 2-5 seconds. It handles single sentences well, but translating multiple sentences in a row doesn’t work. Important! The translator currently only works on OnePlus devices. -3 points: not suitable for translating more than one sentence at a time.
More about the work of an interpreter
The translator works well and offers two translation modes:
Simultaneous translation: You speak, the translation appears half a second later, and a second after your sentence finishes, it’s automatically read aloud.
Face-to-face mode: The screen is divided into two parts, one for each language. You speak, and after a second, the translation appears as text on the other side of the screen. The translation can also be played back audibly.
This translator is currently quite basic, but it functions. Unlike the Realme, which only works from or to Chinese on my OnePlus 11 (though Sasha’s Motorola G72 works fine). Overall, while it might not be ideal for talking to a stranger in another country, it’s better than nothing when compared to other options. It also outperforms the iKKO Active Buds, which I tested with a screen and built-in translation and cost $350. We’ll have to see how this technology develops; it definitely has a future.
Difference between the global and Chinese version:
Everything is the same, but it’s important to double-check that Google Fast Pair is included in the global version, as the Chinese version typically doesn’t have it. This is a OnePlus standard.
Design
Overall, the design gets a 9/10. It’s comfortable, sturdy, and visually appealing. Comfort: 9/10. Both the headphones and the case are comfortable. Durability: 10/10. The build quality is excellent and reliable. Design: 8/10. It has a good look, but lacks additional features and is only available in two colors.
Design comfort – 9/10 (the gold standard being Airpods Pro 2). The headphones are comfortable, and the case is roughly the same size as the version 3’s, just oval now instead of a rectangle. On the downside, -0.5 points because the case could be smaller, using the Airpods Pro 2 as a reference. Another -0.5 points because the headphones are noticeable in my ears, not quite as comfortable as the Airpods Pro 2.
Quality of materials and durability – 10/10. They meet IP55 standards, meaning they’re protected against water jets from any direction and dust. The scratch resistance is excellent; they finally went with a matte finish for both the earphones and the case. It picks up minimal fingerprints and scratches.
Appearance – 8/10. The OnePlus Buds 4 are available in two colors: Space Gray and Green Pine. The design is a significant improvement; the annoying glossy finish is gone, and the headphones feel and look much more compact. Otherwise, the design is unremarkable, and the headphones could easily be confused with hundreds of others. I’m deducting one point for the very ordinary design, though at least it’s not annoying now. Another point is off because I would have liked to see more color options. For example, the Oppo Enco Free 4 comes in white and black.
Bottom line
The OnePlus Buds 4, priced at $73, with a potential drop to $59, are definitely a “MyChooz” product – a personal recommendation that I, in fact, purchased myself. These headphones achieved a final score of 8.6 out of 10, which is an impressive score for an excellent product.
When comparing them to Realme, the OnePlus Buds 4 offer a more prominent low-frequency sound. While there might be a slight trade-off in detail, naturalness, and soundstage if you compare them directly, OnePlus truly excels in features. The microphone performance is marginally better, and both ANC and transparency modes slightly outperform Realme’s. Additionally, I preferred the design of the OnePlus Buds 4; they lack the glossy finish and are generally a more comfortable model.
In the end, what to take OnePlus Buds 4, 3, 3 Pro, Realme Buds Air 7 Pro or Huawei Freebuds Pro 4?
If you’re seeking impactful, pumping bass, the OnePlus Buds 4 are definitely your go-to. However, if your preference is for a more detailed, analytical, and natural sound with the highest possible fidelity, then the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro would be your ideal choice.
What would I recommend? It’s a tricky answer, but both the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro and the OnePlus Buds 4 deserve a place in your collection. Thankfully, neither model is excessively expensive.
Consider the Huawei Freebuds Pro 4 if your primary needs are a superior microphone, more advanced ANC, convenient controls, and a particular design aesthetic.
Opt for the OnePlus Buds 4 for activities like walking and street use, thanks to their effective ANC, capable microphone, transparency mode, and suitability for low-frequency music.
Choose the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro for home listening in quieter environments to truly appreciate music and its intricate details, though they also perform well for outdoor listening.
Is the OnePlus Buds 4 Pro worth the wait?
Yeah, absolutely. I expect them to sound even better, especially given the experience with the 3 and 3 Pro. Honestly, for the rest of the year, I’m not really looking for anything else in terms of sound from other brands. Feature-wise, I’m really looking forward to the Apple AirPods Pro 3. We’ll see what happens after that.
Review update: if you’re looking for superior sound, definitely check out the Technics EAH-AZ100.
Be sure to share your thoughts on the new OnePlus Buds 4; I’d love to chat with you in the comments. Wishing you great sound, and catch you on MyChooz, bye!
😎 What scenarios will OnePlus Buds 4 be suitable for?
For outdoors and traveling, yes. Comfortable fit, great sound and quality noise reduction.
For audiophiles and sound connoisseurs – yes. Not for audiophiles, sound connoisseurs will love these headphones.
Battery life: claimed 11 hrs/45 hrs with AAC, 9 hrs/37 hrs with LHDC.
Charging: wired Charging time: 50 min. headphones, 80 min. case. Connector: USB-C Fast charging:
Application: available
Optional: auto pause, multipoint
Protection: IP55.
Materials: plastic, metal.
Case size: 65.4 mm x 52.4 mm x 25.3 mm.
Earpiece size: 31mm x 20.6mm x 24.2mm.
Earpiece weight: earbuds: ~4.9g each, charging case: ~39.5 g
Microphone: there are 3 in each earpiece.
What’s in the box?
Headphones
Charging case
Ear cushions (S, M, L)
USB Type-C cable
Instruction
OnePlus Buds 4 – Popular Questions:
OnePlus Buds 4 – how to connect wireless headphones?
1. Switch to pairing mode: open the case, do not remove the headphones, press the button on the case until the indicator light starts flashing. 2. Go to bluetooth settings, list of devices, at the very bottom will be OnePlus Buds 4. 3. Connect the headphones.
Do you still have a question about the OnePlus Buds 4?
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