In today’s budget TWS segment, competition is no longer defined by basic wireless connectivity or decent sound alone. Users now expect a complete package that includes strong Active Noise Cancellation, reliable call quality, immersive sound tuning, low-latency gaming support, and battery life that comfortably lasts through demanding daily routines.
The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 enter this crowded space with a clear intent: to deliver a refined, practical, and dependable audio experience without pushing the price beyond the budget segment. Rather than experimenting with aggressive design choices or niche features, OnePlus has focused on improving everyday usability. After extended usage, the earbuds reveal themselves as a thoughtfully tuned product designed for mass users who want consistency over complexity.
Design & Build: Minimal, Compact, and Purpose-Driven
The Nord Buds 4 continue OnePlus’ familiar design philosophy, prioritizing simplicity and everyday practicality. The charging case is compact and pocket-friendly, making it easy to carry during commutes or travel. It does not draw attention, but it feels well-built and functional, with a finish that leans towards subtle refinement rather than flashy aesthetics.
Each earbud weighs just 4.3 grams, and this lightweight construction immediately defines the user experience. The earbuds feel almost weightless during use, which significantly improves long-term wear comfort. There is no attempt here to reinvent the visual identity of TWS earbuds. Instead, OnePlus has opted for a clean and familiar design that works across different user profiles, from students to professionals.
Comfort & Fit: Designed for Extended Daily Use
Comfort is one of the strongest and most consistent positives of the Nord Buds 4. The lightweight structure, combined with a well-balanced in-ear fit, ensures that the earbuds remain comfortable even during prolonged usage sessions. Whether used for online meetings, long music playlists, video streaming, or commuting, they do not create noticeable ear fatigue.
The fit is secure enough for walking, light exercise, and daily movement. Once placed properly, the earbuds remain stable without requiring frequent adjustments, which enhances the overall convenience factor for users who wear earbuds for several hours at a stretch. This makes them particularly suitable for students, office users, and frequent travellers who rely on consistent all-day usage.
ANC Performance: Practical Noise Reduction for Everyday Environments
The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 feature up to 52dB Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation, and while the numbers sound aggressive on paper, the real-world tuning is more practical and usage-oriented. The ANC effectively reduces continuous low-frequency background noise such as air conditioners, fans, engine hum, and general office or street noise. This creates a noticeably calmer listening environment without completely isolating the user from surroundings.
The adaptive nature of the ANC system allows the earbuds to adjust based on environmental changes. This is particularly useful when moving between indoor and outdoor environments, as the transition feels more natural without requiring manual adjustments. It is important to note that this is not designed to deliver absolute silence like premium flagship earbuds. Instead, the focus is on reducing distraction to a comfortable level, which aligns well with everyday user expectations in this price segment.
Sound Quality: Energetic, Consumer-Friendly Tuning with Good Versatility
The Nord Buds 4 are powered by 12mm titanium-coated dynamic drivers, and the resulting sound signature is tuned for mainstream appeal. The overall output leans towards an energetic and slightly bass-forward profile. Bass has a noticeable punch, which adds weight to modern genres like EDM, hip-hop, and Bollywood tracks. However, it does not overpower the mids, allowing vocals and instruments to remain reasonably clear and present.
Mid-range performance is stable, ensuring that dialogues in podcasts, OTT content, and calls remain easy to follow. High frequencies are tuned to avoid harshness, making long listening sessions more comfortable. While audiophiles may find the tuning more consumer-focused than analytical, the sound profile is clearly designed for enjoyment rather than strict accuracy, which aligns with the target audience.
Additional enhancements such as 3D Spatial Audio and Game Sound Spatial Audio add a sense of width and immersion in supported content. The inclusion of customizable EQ options further allows users to adjust the sound profile based on personal preference, adding flexibility to the experience.
Call Quality: Strong Focus on Real-World Clarity
Call performance is one of the more refined aspects of the Nord Buds 4. The earbuds use a six-microphone setup combined with AI-based noise reduction algorithms to improve voice clarity during calls. In real-world usage, voice output remains clear and stable across different environments, including moderately noisy outdoor settings.
Background noise suppression works well for common disturbances such as traffic, crowd noise, and indoor activity. Wind noise handling is also competent for regular outdoor use, which makes the earbuds reliable for users who frequently take calls on the move. For professionals and students who rely heavily on voice communication, this is a notable strength.
Connectivity & Smart Integration: Fast, Stable, and Efficient
Connectivity is handled via Bluetooth 6.1, and the overall experience is smooth and stable across devices. Pairing is quick and effortless thanks to Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair, which significantly reduces setup time, especially when switching between multiple devices.
One of the most practical features is dual-device connectivity, allowing users to stay connected to both a smartphone and a laptop simultaneously. This makes switching between meetings, media, and calls seamless, without needing to disconnect and reconnect repeatedly. Smart integrations such as AI Translate and AI Assistant support (on compatible devices) further enhance usability for users who rely on multitasking and productivity tools.
Gaming Experience: Low Latency for Casual and Competitive Use
The Nord Buds 4 include a dedicated gaming mode that offers 47ms ultra-low latency, which improves synchronization between audio and visuals during gameplay. In real-world gaming scenarios, this results in better responsiveness for directional cues such as footsteps, gunfire, and environmental sounds. This enhances situational awareness, particularly in fast-paced competitive games.
While not positioned as dedicated gaming earbuds, the performance is strong enough to comfortably support both casual and regular mobile gaming users.
Battery Life: A Key Strength of the Package
Battery performance is one of the standout highlights of the Nord Buds 4. With up to 54 hours of total playback, the earbuds are designed to support multiple days of usage without frequent charging. Even with regular use involving music, calls, and video streaming, the battery backup remains consistently strong. Fast charging support adds further convenience, allowing users to gain several hours of playback with just a short charging session. This makes them highly practical for users with busy and unpredictable schedules.
Durability & Everyday Reliability
With an IP55 rating, the Nord Buds 4 are well-equipped to handle everyday environmental conditions such as sweat, dust, light rain, and general outdoor use. This makes them suitable for commuting, workouts, and daily travel without concerns about basic durability. The inclusion of TÜV Rheinland Battery Health Certification further strengthens long-term reliability, offering additional assurance regarding battery performance over time.
Price & Availability
The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 are priced at ₹3,299, with a limited-period introductory price of ₹3,099. They will be available from June 29 across multiple platforms including OnePlus.in, OnePlus Store App, OnePlus Experience Stores, Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit, Myntra, and select offline retail partners.
Telecom Today Verdict
The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 succeed by focusing on consistency and balance rather than relying on a single standout feature. They deliver a well-rounded experience that combines effective ANC, enjoyable sound quality, reliable call performance, strong battery life, stable connectivity, and all-day comfort into a cohesive package. Instead of trying to excel in one extreme area, they maintain a steady performance across all key usage scenarios. For users seeking a dependable, feature-rich, and comfortable pair of TWS earbuds under ₹3,500, the Nord Buds 4 stand out as one of the most balanced and reliable options in the segment. Based on its performance and features, we rate it 4.5 out of 5.