Oneplus shocks market with $43 earbuds, undercuts giants
OnePlus is playing a curious game of product announcements, scattering releases across regions and leaving many scratching their heads. While a compact phone and tablets are slated for China next week, the company just unveiled the Nord Buds 4 Pro in India, and at a price point that’s genuinely disruptive. For $43, you get a feature set that rivals much more expensive offerings – a move that’s sure to ripple through the competitive audio landscape.
Why the sudden price drop?
The question on everyone’s mind is how OnePlus manages to deliver such a compelling package for so little money. Consider this: Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 retail for $250, Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 4 Pro command around $180, and even the standard Galaxy Buds 4 typically fetch $129. The non-noise-cancelling AirPods 4 start at $129, and frequently drop to $89 during promotions. The Nord Buds 4 Pro, however, undercut them all significantly.
What do you get for that modest investment? A robust 55 dB active noise cancellation, 12mm titanium-coated drivers promising rich audio, 3D and Game Sound Spatial Audio for immersive experiences, six microphones bolstered by AI for crisp calls, and a staggering 54 hours of battery life with the charging case. Bluetooth 6.0, LHDC 5.0 codec support, Google Fast Pair, and an IP55 rating for water and dust resistance round out the impressive specifications. The earbuds themselves weigh a mere 4.4 grams, and the charging case adds another 34.2 grams – a testament to OnePlus’s focus on portability and comfort.
Now, it's reasonable to acknowledge that the Nord Buds 4 Pro aren’t positioned to compete directly with the premium sophistication of the AirPods Pro 3 or Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. However, based on reviews of the Nord Buds 3 Pro, the value proposition here appears to be truly exceptional. The design has also received a refresh, seemingly prioritizing all-day comfort, a key factor often overlooked in budget earbuds.
The absence of explicit battery endurance figures on the product webpage is curious, but the 54-hour rating with the case firmly suggests minimal interruptions to your listening sessions. The ANC has also been bumped up from 49 dB to 55 dB, and the microphone count has doubled, promising significantly improved call quality within this price bracket. The inclusion of Spatial Audio, coupled with the Bluetooth 6.0 upgrade, further solidifies the Nord Buds 4 Pro’s position as a serious contender.
The initial launch in India, priced at 3,999 rupees (approximately $43), is just the beginning. OnePlus is likely to expand availability to other key markets, including the US and Europe, in the near future. For those in the States, where the Nord Buds 3 Pro currently retail for $79.99 (often discounted to $39.99), patience will likely be rewarded with a similarly aggressive pricing strategy. The Nord Buds 4 Pro are a clear signal: OnePlus is determined to democratize premium features, and they're doing so with remarkable efficiency.