Earbuds OnePlus Buds 4 Review

The world of wireless earbuds is impossibly crowded. Every week, it seems a new contender arrives, promising pristine audio, serene silence, and all-day battery life. In this chaotic market, OnePlus has carved out a reputation as the “flagship killer,” consistently delivering premium features at a price that makes you question why you’d ever spend more. With the launch of the new OnePlus Buds 4, the company isn’t just continuing that tradition—it’s doubling down on it.

After spending a week with the Buds 4, it’s clear that these aren’t just a minor refresh. They represent a significant leap forward in sound quality and noise cancellation that blurs the line between the mid-range and the premium tier. But in a field this competitive, are they a true knockout, or just another great value option? Let’s dive in.

Design and Comfort: Familiar, But Refined

At first glance, the OnePlus Buds 4 look comfortably familiar, retaining the classic stemmed design that has become an industry standard. The charging case is a sleek, pocketable pillbox with a satisfying magnetic snap, now available in a muted “Storm Gray” and an elegant new “Zen Green.” The earbuds themselves are incredibly lightweight, each tipping the scales at just under five grams.

What’s new is the level of refinement. The matte finish on the case resists fingerprints well, and the polished chrome accent on the bud’s stem adds a touch of class. More importantly, they are exceptionally comfortable. They nestle securely in the ear without creating any uncomfortable pressure points, making them a pair you can easily forget you’re wearing during a long work session or a lengthy commute. An IP55 rating for dust and water resistance means you don’t have to worry about getting caught in the rain or sweating through a workout, adding to their everyday practicality.

The Listening Experience: Punchy, Polished, and Powerful

This is where the Buds 4 truly start to shine and justify their existence. OnePlus has packed them with an upgraded coaxial dual-driver system—an 11mm woofer for deep, resonant bass and a 6mm tweeter for crisp, clear highs. The result is a sound signature that is lively, energetic, and incredibly engaging. The bass is certainly present and powerful, but it doesn’t bleed into the rest of the mix, allowing vocals and instruments to maintain their clarity. This is a sound profile that makes modern pop, hip-hop, and electronic music feel dynamic and exciting.

For those who want to get the most out of their music, the Buds 4 support the high-resolution LHDC 5.0 audio codec. When paired with a compatible Android phone, this allows for a level of detail and nuance that is genuinely surprising for earbuds in this price bracket. Of course, you can always dive into the companion HeyMelody app to tweak the sound to your exact preference with a six-band equalizer or use the “Golden Sound” feature, which creates a custom audio profile based on the unique characteristics of your own hearing.

The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) has also received a massive upgrade. OnePlus claims the new system is capable of blocking up to 55dB of noise, and in practice, it’s startlingly effective. It absolutely demolishes low-frequency drones, making the rumble of a train, the hum of a plane engine, or the whir of an office air conditioner all but disappear. While it won’t block out every single sharp, sudden sound, it creates a bubble of silence that is competitive with earbuds costing nearly twice as much. The transparency mode is equally impressive, allowing you to hear your surroundings clearly and naturally without that distracting, artificial “hiss.”

Living With Them Day-to-Day

Beyond the sound, the OnePlus Buds 4 are packed with thoughtful features that make them a joy to use. The battery life is solid, providing around six hours of playback with ANC enabled, with the case extending that total to a very respectable 24 hours. A quick ten-minute charge in the case gives you hours of extra listening time, a lifesaver for those moments you forget to plug them in overnight.

One of the standout features is multi-point connectivity, which allows the buds to be connected to two devices—like your laptop and your phone—at the same time. You can be watching a video on your computer, and the audio will seamlessly switch to your phone when a call comes in, then switch right back when you hang up. It’s a feature you don’t think you need until you have it, and then you can’t live without it.

The Verdict

So, are the OnePlus Buds 4 the new king of mid-range audio? For around $129, the combination of features and performance on offer here is simply phenomenal. The sound is exciting and customizable, the noise cancellation is legitimately flagship-grade, and the quality-of-life features make them a dependable daily companion.

While they lack some premium touches like wireless charging, and the touch controls can occasionally be a bit finicky, these are minor complaints in the face of such overwhelming value. If you’re an Android user looking for the best possible audio experience without breaking the bank, the OnePlus Buds 4 aren’t just a great option; they are arguably the new default choice. They punch so far above their weight, they might just make you question if you ever need to spend more.