OnePlus is not just limited to smartphones but also popular in the Indian market as one of the top brands in the truly wireless (TWS) earbuds space. Its latest TWS flagship, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2, aims to consolidate its position in this competitive premium TWS market. Let's dive into the ten essential things you must know about the latest premium TWS from the Never Settling brand.
Table of Contant
- Identical looks
- Suitable for workouts
- Easy set-up
- User interface
- Active Noise Cancellation
- Sound Quality
- Battery Life
- You can customize the controls and sound profile with the app
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is decent, but not the best inthe market
- Sound quality is impressive, with a focus on bass
- Battery life is good, with fast charging
- They are reasonably priced, but not the cheapest
- Conclusion: A solid choice for OnePlus fans and bass lovers
- Verdict
- Here are the key specifications for the "Buds Pro 2" earbuds:
- PROS and CONS
1 - Identical looks
In terms of appearance, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 look almost the
same as their predecessors. The case is compact, and a USB Type C port at the
back of the case allows charging. Opening the case reveals the earbuds, and a
connectivity button. The buds, like the original Buds Pro, are dual-toned with
metallic-coloured stems and plastic tops with ear tips. The charging case glows
with the OnePlus logo, giving it a very classy look.
2 - Suitable for workouts
The OnePlus Buds Pro 2, at just five grams each, are
lightweight and comfortable to wear, and thanks to the ear tip options, they
are a snug fit. They are gym and workout-friendly, and you can safely wear them
while jogging or working out. The earbuds have IP55 water resistance, and even
the case has IPX4 water resistance, making them sweat-proof and safe from the
occasional splash of water.
3 - Easy set-up
Setting up the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 is simple. It works smoothly
with OnePlus phones, and you don't need to install any additional software. For
other Android devices and iPhones, you can download the Hey Melody app for full
functionality. You can also take an eartip test and a Golden sound test to get
sound customized as per your ear canal.
4 - User interface
The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 are controlled by pressing their stems.
A single press lets you receive and end a call. A double press rejects an
incoming call, and a single press pauses or resumes audio. A double press takes
you to the next track. However, you need to press three times to go to the
previous song, and sometimes, the buds do not recognize them as you need to
press a particular part of the stem of the buds to register them. Similarly,
pressing and holding for a second lets you switch between ANC modes.
5 - Active Noise Cancellation
The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 offers active noise cancellation (ANC),
which is effective in blocking out noise, especially low-frequency sounds. It
has three levels of noise cancellation, including one Transparency Mode that
allows ambient sounds. ANC can be enabled in both earbuds, and it works well.
6 - Sound Quality
The sound quality of the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 is impressive, and
the bass is punchy without being overpowering. The treble is clear and
detailed, making it an excellent choice for music lovers. The buds also have a
10mm dynamic driver and Dolby Atmos, which enhances the audio experience.
7 - Battery Life
The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 can last up to 7 hours with ANC turned
on, and up to 10 hours with ANC turned off. The case offers up to 31 hours of
battery life with ANC turned on, and up to 39 hours with ANC turned off. It
also supports Warp Charge, which offers 10 hours of battery life in just 10 minutes
of charging.
8 - You can customize the controls and sound profile with the app
As mentioned earlier, the Hey Melody app is highly recommended
for full functionality of the OnePlus Buds Pro 2. With the app, you can
customize the controls to your liking. For example, you can assign a long press
to activate your phone's voice assistant, or you can switch the double-tap
function to activate the previous track. Additionally, the app also allows you
to tweak the sound profile with the Equalizer function, where you can choose
from several presets or create your own custom profile. We found this feature
very useful in adjusting the audio output to our preferences.
9 - Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is decent, but not the best in the market
The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 features active noise cancellation
(ANC), which is a major selling point in premium TWS earbuds. The ANC on the
Buds Pro 2 is decent, but not as good as some of its competitors, such as the
Sony WF-1000XM4 or the Apple AirPods Pro. The ANC on the Buds Pro 2 is
effective in blocking out low-frequency sounds, such as the rumble of an airplane
or train, but struggles with higher frequencies, such as human chatter.
However, the Transparency mode works well, allowing you to hear your
surroundings while still listening to your audio.
10 - Sound quality is impressive, with a focus on bass
The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 delivers impressive sound quality, with
a focus on bass. The audio is punchy and lively, making it great for genres
like electronic, hip-hop, and pop. However, the midrange and treble can be a
bit muddy, which may not be ideal for classical or jazz music. But overall, the
audio performance is excellent for its price range.
11 - Battery life is good, with fast charging
The battery life on the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 is good, with up to
7 hours of playback time on a single charge with ANC turned off, and up to 5
hours with ANC turned on. The case provides an additional 23 hours of playback
time, which is great for those who are always on the go. The Buds Pro 2 also
supports fast charging, where a 10-minute charge provides 2 hours of playback
time.
12 - They are reasonably priced, but not the cheapest
The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 are reasonably priced at around Rs 11,9999,
which is on par with its competitors, such as the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro and
the Jabra Elite 85t. While they may not be the cheapest option in the market,
the features and performance make them a good value for money.
Conclusion: A solid choice for OnePlus fans and bass lovers
Overall, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 is a solid choice for those who are looking for a premium TWS earbud with great sound quality and active noise cancellation. While it may not be the best in the market, it offers good value for money, especially for OnePlus fans who are looking for a complementary accessory to their OnePlus smartphone. The bass-heavy audio may not be for everyone, but for those who love genres like electronic, hip-hop, and pop, the Buds Pro 2 is definitely worth considering.
Verdict
While some of its competitors might better the audio quality of the OnePlus Buds Pro 2, we do not think any of them match the overall package that the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 bring to the TWS table. The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 deliver very good sound, are superb at ANC and calling and throw in some well-executed smart features as well. They are a great option for anyone wanting a full-featured pair of TWS with premium features without venturing too far from the Rs 10,000 mark. We would recommend them to Pros looking for smart features and reliable performance (especially calls), rather than audiophiles coveting top-notch sound and support for multiple codecs!
Here are the key specifications for the "Buds Pro 2" earbuds:
General
- Model Name: Buds Pro 2
- Color: Obsidian Black
Headphone
- Headphone Type: True Wireless
- Inline Remote: No
- Sales Package: 1 Pair of Earbuds, Charging Case, Charging Cable (Type C), Safety Card, Warranty Card, 4 Ear Tips
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Headphone Design: Earbud
Product Details
- Sweat Proof: Yes
- Deep Bass: Yes
- Water Resistant: Yes
- With Microphone: Yes
PROS and CONS
Pros:
- Firmware update further optimizes sound quality
- Instantaneous pairing with OnePlus smartphone
- Google Fast Pair for easy connectivity with Android phones
- Spatial audio with Dynamic Head Tracking feature for immersive sound experience
- Co-created with Dynaudio for optimal listening experience
- Smart Scene Noise Cancellation 2.0 with personalized ANC
- Up to 40 hours battery life with quick charging
- OnePlus Audio ID 2.0 for personalized audio experience
- Dual drivers for powerful, punchy bass with clear vocals
- 3Mic AI for better call and noise cancellation
- IP55 water, dust, and sweat resistant
Cons:
- Earbud functions require upgrading Wireless Earphones APP or OnePlus Buds APP to the latest version from Google Play.
- Firmware update for non-OnePlus mobile phones requires HeyMelody App.
