OnePlus has long stopped being a “flagship killer” only among smartphones — now the company is just as methodically covering the audio segment. OnePlus Buds 4 aim for the niche between cheap “just listen” earbuds and expensive TWS with serious ambitions. I wore these earbuds as my primary pair for a week — here’s what’s good about them and what raises questions.
How did the new OnePlus Buds 4 turn out?
Design and Fit of OnePlus Buds 4
The first thing I didn’t really like was the oval charging case. It’s slippery and sits unevenly in a pocket, constantly trying to rotate. In my opinion, the best example is the nearly square cases of CMF Buds Pro 2 or Nothing — those are top-notch. On the bright side, the case has a matte finish: it’s harder to scratch, and chips will be less noticeable thanks to the texture. Especially if it’s the Zen Green color — it’s the best one in the lineup.
Taking a closer look at the new OnePlus Buds 4
The shape of the OnePlus earbuds is initially a bit disappointing — they look like every other Chinese earbud in the 2-3 thousand ruble range. But this is a case where you shouldn’t judge by design; the feel matters more. The OnePlus Buds 4 sit amazingly well in the ears, the stem is long enough and comfortable for removal, and the earbuds actually look compact. Most importantly — even during extended use, your ears don’t get tired: I haven’t experienced this kind of “weightlessness” since the original AirPods. Make sure to try the three sizes of ear tips included in the box, otherwise you won’t get the full enjoyment from these earbuds.
Sound and the Golden Sound Profile Feature
The OnePlus Buds 4 sound really great. Inside there’s a dynamic driver of about 11 mm, support for the LHDC V5 codec, and Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification. I could juggle specs all day, but I’d rather share my personal impressions. I love low frequencies and honestly, I melt when a track pumps — bass pierces through your head and gives you chills. The OnePlus Buds 4 hit right in my sweet spot, so every time I put them on, it feels like a celebration. The key is to set BassWave toward power in the app: it works great, the technology adapts to the track and doesn’t overload your hearing, so there’s no discomfort.
Easy management — almost like Nothing X
Spatial audio is decent — I’m not a fan, but sometimes you can turn it on for variety. It works very well for games and live streams. There’s also the “Golden Sound Profile” feature — the app scans your hearing through the microphones and builds a personalized curve, I recommend trying it.
It’s a cool feature, although personally I don’t trust such things: with Nothing it didn’t work great, with OnePlus it’s noticeably better, but tweaking the equalizer yourself is still more reliable.
OnePlus Buds 4 — Noise Cancellation and Touch Controls
I won’t go on too long about active noise cancellation — I’ll just recommend turning on the high Real Time mode right away, which automatically mutes sudden noises. The Auto mode is also decent, and the low level is quite usable too. The hybrid system with three microphones per earbud confidently suppresses constant hum — subway, engines, air conditioners.
The earbuds are very light and barely noticeable in the ears
I want to specifically highlight the gesture controls — this is the best option available today in accessories. Unlike the CMF Buds Pro 2, touches aren’t missed here, everything triggers easily and can be reassigned to your preference. In terms of settings flexibility and the app itself, OnePlus leaves no questions — everything is in the spirit of Nothing X, logical and simple.
Battery Life and Calls on OnePlus Buds 4
Battery life is in great shape: with ANC on, the earbuds lasted me 7 hours, and there was still about 12 percent left. The case adds another three full charges, and the fast charging is impressive — 10 minutes in the case is enough to fully revive the earbuds. There’s one downside — no wireless charging, but at this price it’s forgivable.
The earbuds are suitable for running and everyday use alike
During calls, the voice sounds full, though slightly dark, but background noise is handled excellently — callers hear you clearly even outdoors in the wind. IP55 protection means you don’t have to worry about rain and sweat, so the earbuds will easily survive a jog or bad weather.
Should You Buy OnePlus Buds 4?
Should you get the OnePlus Buds 4? Without any doubt, I see no reason why not. Yes, the case shape might be slightly disappointing, but that’s a matter of taste. Everything else is fully loaded: lots of settings, pleasant sound, excellent fit, and almost no downsides. I was especially pleased with compatibility across all devices — even with Windows everything works great, not just paired with OnePlus smartphones.
Looking for good earbuds? Go ahead and grab these — they’re top-tier
The only thing to keep in mind: the proprietary LHDC V5 codec and AI translation features only fully work on OnePlus smartphones and a few related brands, so Samsung, Pixel, or iPhone owners won’t get wireless Hi-Res. But this doesn’t affect the base sound quality or battery life at all.
