OnePlus Nord Buds 2 first impressions: what’s new?

OnePlus has slowly but surely built a product portfolio that goes well beyond the smartphones it was originally known for, with audio products forming the backbone of its expansion strategy. Impressively, the audio product line largely follows the same general approach as the smartphone line, and the Nord brand has become synonymous with everything that has made OnePlus so popular, but at a reasonable price. The latest product in the OnePlus audio lineup not only sticks to this ethos, but also pushes the value proposition even further.

Priced at Rs. 2,999 in India, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 is the successor to the OnePlus Nord Buds Headphones (Review) which was launched in April 2022. comes with significant improvements in features and specifications, as well as a promise of better performance. I took a close look at the new Nord Buds 2 to see what’s new; read on for my first impressions.

Active noise cancellation for less than Rs. 3,000 on the OnePlus Nord Buds 2

The original Nord Buds stand out with their rather unique and adventurous design, and the Nord Buds 2 stick to it while making minor improvements in colors and textures. You still get a good fit in the channel on the ear cups, and the tactile areas are a little less likely to pick up visible dirt from frequent handling. The charging case is also a bit prettier and fits more easily in a pocket than the original Nord Buds.

The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 take a big step forward with the inclusion of a key feature: active noise cancellation. Although I haven’t been able to fully test it yet, my first impressions of the ANC are largely in line with what I would expect to hear on other options in this price segment, such as the Oppo Enco Air 2 Pro headphones. . While there’s audible noise reduction, it’s not effective enough to completely cancel out even simple household sounds, such as humming or a ceiling fan.

The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 have a more aggressive approach to sound

In terms of connectivity, the headset sees some improvements with Bluetooth 5.3, while codec support includes SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs. This means the sound quality should be the same on most source devices, although the setting itself has been changed for what is arguably a more entertaining sound signature. While there’s plenty of bass to hear, there’s apparently an equally advanced approach to the treble – the sound is both punchy and bright, and seems to change depending on the music genre.

Although it is possible to change the EQ settings through the HeyMelody app, I personally preferred to stick with the Balanced EQ preset. This punchy, bright sound tended to affect the mids a bit, but it usually didn’t affect some tracks too much and, in fact, made tracks in genres such as house and jazz a bit more focused and pronounced. I will of course talk about the sound quality in more detail in my full test.

OnePlus Nord Buds 2: is it worth the price?

It’s too early to make a firm recommendation in this regard, but my first impressions of the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 are generally positive. The new true wireless earbuds also promise a bit more in terms of battery life and app-based features, aside from the promise of better sound that will suit most buyers’ listening preferences.

OnePlus also launched the Nord CE 3 Lite 5G smartphone alongside the Nord Buds 2, and the two devices will likely go well together – if you’re looking to buy two new gadgets, that is. Stay tuned to Gadgets360 for our full reviews of the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 and OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite (Review).

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