OnePlus Buds Pro 2 emerges as an enticing option for audio enthusiasts. While it may not be the most budget-friendly choice with a price tag of $179, it still stands as a more affordable alternative compared to the Sony and Bose 2. Boasting premium specifications and a range of innovative features, I’ve had the opportunity to thoroughly test the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 for several weeks. Now, it’s time to know OnePlus Buds Pro 2 review.
Design
Now, like the new OnePlus 11 smartphone, you can get the Buds Pro 2 in black or green. These earbuds look similar to the original Buds, with a stem that’s short enough not to stick out much. They come with silicone tips in three sizes, so you can find the best fit. The OnePlus app can analyze your ear shape to help you choose the right tip size.
They are really comfortable to wear, even for several hours. They have a transparency mode that lets you hear conversations without taking them out. Once I found the right tips, they stayed in place securely. They’re also splash-resistant like the previous model, so they can handle a bit of rain without any issues.
Setup
OnePlus Buds Pro 2 launching in 2023 support Bluetooth 5.3. Like most premium earbuds, they can connect to two devices at once without any issues. However, I noticed something strange when I connected them to my OnePlus 11 before its official launch. Even when I put the buds back in their case, they stayed connected to the phone. This might be a bug that needs fixing, but I haven’t had any problems connecting them to other smartphones.
Hey Melody App
If you’re using a OnePlus smartphone, all the earbud controls are conveniently in the Bluetooth menu. But if you have a different phone, you’ll need to download the Hey Melody app from the Google Play Store.
This app offers many controls and features. You can quickly check your earbuds’ battery life (unfortunately, not for the case), adjust noise cancellation modes, and use the EQ for fine-tuning sound. There are also extra features like Golden Sound, Zen Mode Air, and Game Mode, which is supposed to improve audio and video synchronization. However, I didn’t notice much difference with Game Mode enabled, as synchronization was already good.
You can also connect the earbuds to two devices at once with the dual connection feature. Plus, there’s an earbud fit test to ensure they’re comfortable and secure.
Touch Controls
Now, you can’t actually customize the touch controls on the OnePlus Buds Pro 2, but fortunately, they work exceptionally well regardless. A quick squeeze on either stem will pause or play your music. A double squeeze allows you to skip forward to the next track, while a triple squeeze takes you back to the previous track. These functions work identically on both the left and right earbuds. Additionally, a long squeeze enables you to swiftly switch between noise cancellation modes and the transparency mode.
Unlike the original OnePlus Buds Pro, I didn’t encounter any issues with the touch controls on this model. I didn’t accidentally activate the controls while simply adjusting the earbuds or performing other actions. My only real complaint is the absence of volume controls, which could have been implemented through touch-sensitive stems, for example.
OnePlus Buds Pro 2 Audio
The audio quality is excellent, these small earbuds have an 11mm woofer and a 6mm tweeter, giving you a balanced sound. They support common codecs like SBC, AAC, aptX, and LHDC (if your device supports it). Plus, with the Golden Sound feature in the Hey Melody app, you can customize your sound. This feature plays different pitches, and you adjust a slider until the noise disappears. Then, you’ll have your personalized audio profile.
If you have a Snapdragon HN2 smartphone with the latest Snapdragon Sound technology, you’ll also get spatial audio support. This feature works well with supported content on platforms like YouTube and Disney Plus. The audio moves around as you move your head, giving you a sense of space. Personally, I might not use this feature often, but it’s there if you want to try it.
Noise Cancellation
The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 comes with 48-decibel noise cancellation. When you turn on the Smart ENC mode, the noise cancellation adjusts based on the noise around you. There’s also an option for personalized ANC, which is supposed to tailor the noise cancellation to your ears. Personally, I didn’t notice much difference between the personalized and non-personalized versions. I usually kept the noise cancellation at maximum to block out as much noise as possible.
While they might not match Sony or Bose earbuds in noise cancellation, I found they quite effective. I tested them on noisy tube trains, like the Northern and Central lines. Overall, they were able to reduce unpleasant sounds, letting me comfortably listen to podcasts. Sometimes, with really loud noises, I had to turn up the volume a bit. But overall, they did a good job of reducing noise and improving the listening experience.
Other Features
One of the best features of the original OnePlus Buds Pro is back: Zen Mode Air. It’s great for when you’re stressed and need to calm down. Just press and hold one of the earbuds’ stems for about four or five seconds, and they’ll start playing soothing sounds. My favorite is the Summer Seashore, which feels like chilling on a beach with a piña colada. But I’d suggest avoiding the Nighttime Camping sound if you’ve watched any horror movies set in creepy forests.
Mic test
The microphones in the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 work well for taking calls, even in noisy places like busy streets. To test them, I’m recording this in a quiet studio first. Now, let’s switch it up. I’m recording with traffic noise next to me.
You might notice my voice gets a bit unclear due to the loud traffic, but the earbuds still manage to reduce most of the background noise. So, there’s a good chance you’ll hear me clearly despite the noise.
Overall, the microphone performance is similar to before, with some slight improvements.
Battery Life
An area where the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 has improved a lot. With one full charge, I get about six to seven hours of continuous streaming, even with noise cancellation on. If you turn off noise cancellation, you can get an extra hour or two of use. Personally, I usually keep noise cancellation on because I like to block out my surroundings.
When you need to recharge or you’re done listening, just put the earbuds back in the compact case. While it’s not the smallest case out there, it’s slim and fits easily in a pocket. The case charges the earbuds quickly, and you can fully recharge them a couple of times before needing to recharge the case itself. It has a USB-C port for wired charging and supports wireless charging if you have a Qi-standard wireless charging pad.
Final Thought
While the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 may not be a huge step forward from their predecessor, they still offer a solid overall package and good value. While they’re not the cheapest option, if you want dependable quality for your money, you might consider alternatives like the Soundcore Liberty series. Personally, I’d be happy to use the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 every day.
While the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 may not introduce groundbreaking features, they offer a solid overall package with good value for money.
Pros
- Premium design
- Comfortable fit
- Dual Device Connectivity
- Zen Mode Air
- Spatial Audio Support
The Bad
- Minor Connectivity Issue
- Moderate Noise Cancellation
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Design9
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Setup8
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HEY mELODY aPP8.5
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Touch Controls8
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Audio Quality9
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Noise cancellation8
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Battery Life8.5
