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My TWS journey began about three years ago with the Realme Buds Air 3. For around ₹2,500, they offered impressive ANC, multi-device pairing, and decent sound quality. I used them extensively until recently when the left bud stopped charging. Being without earbuds felt like losing a limb, so I started hunting for a replacement. After thorough research on r/earbuds, I decided to try the Oneplus Buds 4.
I’m not an audiophile by any means, but working from home means I’m on calls for long hours, recording podcasts, making videos, and juggling multiple devices. Add my frequent travel where I binge-watch movies and series during flights, and earbuds have become an essential everyday companion. I also use them for my morning Cultfit dance sessions.
Hence, over the years, I’ve tried everything from bulky headphones to neckbands, but what truly won me over are TWS (True Wireless Stereo) earbuds. They’re compact, wire-free, and perfect for a busy lifestyle.
Here’s my honest review of these earbuds, based on weeks of daily use for work calls, podcasts, and travel entertainment.
With the Great India Festival Sale starting soon, find the Oneplus Buds 4 on Amazon.
What’s in the Box? A Premium First Impression
Unboxing is the first step in the user experience, and Oneplus gets it right:
- Charging Case: The Oneplus Buds 4 come in a pill-shaped charging case that feels sturdy and premium. It’s finished with a smooth brushed texture and sports the bold red Oneplus logo. The case feels solid in hand, unlike some flimsy budget alternatives.
- Earbuds: Inside, the two earbuds sit neatly in their slots, magnetically secured. They look sleek and polished, ready for use.
- Charging Cable: A short USB Type-C charging cable is included. While basic, it’s practical for daily charging needs.
- Extra Eartips: You get additional silicone ear tips in small, medium, and large sizes, which is crucial for comfort and sound isolation.
- Paperwork: The usual quick start guide, warranty card, and safety instructions are included.
Overall, the packaging exudes quality and thoughtfulness. Oneplus doesn’t just sell earbuds – they deliver a premium unboxing experience that sets the tone.
Design: Functional with a Few Quirks
The design of the Oneplus Buds 4 is a step away from my Realme Buds Air 3, with some pros and cons:
- Pill Box Style Case: The charging case is shaped like a pill box rather than a jewelry box. It’s slightly bigger than my Realme case, which means it takes up more pocket space. The smooth brushed finish looks classy but can be slippery. I recommend getting a silicone case for extra grip and protection.
- Bud Placement: The earbuds face outwards when you open the case, opposite of the Realme buds which faced inward. This took me a few days to get used to but eventually felt natural.
- Earbud Texture: The stems have a subtle brushed texture designed to help your fingers find the touch controls. However, I found this texture a bit hit-or-miss; sometimes I had to fumble to locate the right spot for taps or slides.
- Multiple Mics and Eartips: The buds feature multiple microphones for effective noise cancellation and clear calls. Plus, the variety of ear tip sizes helps ensure a comfortable, secure fit.
While the design is thoughtful, the larger case and slippery finish might be dealbreakers for those who prefer ultra-compact gear.
My Review: What Worked and What Didn’t
It’s been a few weeks of me using the OnePlus Buds 4. I’ve used them for my daily work calls, some virtual interviews, video recording, dance fitness sessions and also regular phone calls. Here’s a breakdown of my experience with the Oneplus Buds 4 during daily use:
Things I Liked
- Fast Pairing: The earbuds paired instantly with my Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra as soon as I took them out of the box. Switching between my phone and MacBook Air was seamless, and multi-device switching was flawless with no lag or dropouts.
- Effective ANC: The Active Noise Cancellation is a noticeable upgrade from my Realme Buds Air 3. It effectively blocks out background noise – from the hum of my room’s fan to café chatter. Ambient mode also works well, letting in just enough sound for safety and conversations.
- Good Sound Quality: While I’m not a music buff, watching videos and taking calls was a smooth experience. Vocals were clear and sound balanced without being overwhelming.
- Fast Charging and Battery Life: Charging speed impressed me – about 50% charge in 5-10 minutes. Battery life comfortably lasts a full workday of calls plus some video streaming.
- HeyMelody App Features: The companion app adds real value:
- Custom Tap Actions: Configure single tap, double tap, and long press gestures for each earbud.
- Golden Sound Test: Personalizes sound output by testing your hearing profile.
- Earbud Fit Test: Plays a tone to check if the earbuds fit well or if you need to adjust or swap tips. This feature helped me optimize comfort and sound isolation.
Things That Could Be Better
- Subtle Mode Change Sounds: Switching between ANC, ambient, and normal modes triggers a very quiet sound cue that’s easy to miss. My Realme buds used to announce “Transparent Mode” or “Noise Cancellation Mode,” which I found much more helpful.
- Touch Control Texture: The textured stems don’t always guide your fingers reliably. I sometimes missed taps or swipes, which can be frustrating during calls or video watching.
- Volume Gesture Needs Refinement: The volume up/down gesture is neat, but volume changes in noticeable steps rather than smooth increments, making quick adjustments a bit jarring.
- Case Size and Slipperiness: The larger, slippery case is less pocket-friendly than my Realme case. This is a personal preference but worth noting if you prefer compactness.
Final Verdict: A Great TWS for Work and Travel
After weeks of using the Oneplus Buds 4, I can confidently say they are among the best TWS earbuds I found online for my needs. At Rs 5,999 these do sit at medium-high price range, but I felt it to be worth it in the few weeks of my usage. The Realme Air 7 Pro was a close competitor, but Oneplus won me over with better ANC and smoother device switching.
As a non-audiophile who doesn’t stream music all day but needs reliable earbuds for long work calls, podcast recording, and video watching, these buds hit the right balance of comfort, performance, and features. Fast pairing, effective noise cancelling, solid sound quality, and the useful HeyMelody app make this a great value.
My hope is these earbuds last a few years without the charging issues I faced with my previous pair. If they do, I’ll be a very happy user.
If you have questions or want to share your experience, drop a comment below or reach out to me on Twitter @Atulmaharaj or Instagram @Atulmaharaj. Let’s keep the conversation going!
