OnePlus Buds Pro 2 review

OnePlus Buds Pro 2 review :The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 offer impressive features

OnePlus Buds Pro 2 review: Despite being pitched as a competitor to the latest generation of wireless ANC earbuds, the new OnePlus Buds Pro 2 do not deliver satisfactory performance considering their price.

OnePlus Buds Pro 2 Review: Verdict

The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 offer an array of features that surpass many wireless ANC earbuds in their price range, making them an attractive accessory for OnePlus mobile owners. However, their mediocre battery life, ANC performance, and unbalanced sound quality prevent them from being the next-generation upgrade we anticipated.

Pros                

• Big bass sound
• Attractive drop-stem styling
• Good ANC performance
• up to 10 hours of use from just a 10-minute charge
• Fast pairing support

 

Cons

• Sound balance isn't authentic
• Mediocre battery life from earbuds

 

OnePlus Buds Pro 2 Review: First Impressions The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 earbuds were unveiled alongside the new OnePlus 11 phone, which features the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform. In our 2021 review, we found OnePlus' original Buds Pro to be surprisingly good value for money. With the release of the second-generation model, OnePlus is taking on similar next-generation 'pro' models from Samsung and Apple.

 

As someone new to the OnePlus brand, my initial impressions of the Buds Pro 2 are positive. I am intrigued by the fact that these earbuds are co-created by Dynaudio, a Danish audio specialist with a notable hi-fi reputation, which brings audiophile credibility to OnePlus' flagship earbuds for those in the know.

 

OnePlus Buds Pro 2 Review: Specifications

Here are the specifications of the OnePlus Buds Pro 2:

• Price: $179 / £179 / AU$259
• Colors: Obsidian black, arbor green
• According to the product specifications, the earbuds have a battery life of 6 hours with active noise cancellation (ANC) on, and 9 hours with ANC off. Additionally, the charging case provides 25 hours of battery life with ANC on, and 39 hours with ANC off.
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 (LHDC/AAC/SBC/LC3 codec support)
• As per the product specifications, the earbuds have a size of 1.25 x 0.9 inches each, while the charging case has dimensions of 2.3 x 1.9 x 0.9 inches.
• The weight of each earbud is 0.17 ounces, while the charging case weighs 1.67 ounces.

 

These specifications give us a better idea of what to expect from the OnePlus Buds Pro 2, including their price range, available colors, battery life, connectivity, and size.

 

OnePlus Buds Pro 2 review :The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 come with a $30 price increase, but they are still significantly more affordable than many of their competitors. While our review of the OnePlus Buds Pro pointed out some issues, such as exclusive features only available to OnePlus devices and a mediocre playback time of 5 hours with ANC on, the new version appears to have improved battery life. 

The Pro 2's playback figures claim to have increased by at least one hour in most areas, although the total combined playback time for the charging case and earbuds with ANC enabled seems to have decreased from 28 hours to 25 hours on the new version.

 

OnePlus Buds Pro 2 Review: Design and Comfort of the OnePlus Buds Pro 2

 

• Eye-catching drop-stem design
• Robust construction with appealing dual-tone color choices

 

Although I don't have the original OnePlus Buds Pro with me, the new model seems quite similar in appearance, except for the various color choices. I appreciate the slender and sleek design, as well as the dual-tone finish featuring a matte plastic upper half and chrome-like material around the stems. Additionally, the force sensors from the previous version have been carried over.

The build quality is robust and maintains its IP55 rating for water and dust resistance, which makes it ideal for gym and outdoor activities, as they're well-protected from sweat. Moreover, the charging case is rated IPX4, meaning it can withstand sweat and water as well. The case is well-weighted, with strong magnets that keep the lid tightly shut, and it elegantly displays the earbuds when opened.

 
In this OnePlus Buds Pro 2 review, let's discuss the earbud fit test feature that helps you find the perfect ear tip size for the best ear canal seal and optimal performance. The test can be activated anytime, and I was impressed with its accuracy every time I used it. Most of the time, I achieved a perfect fit while wearing the earbuds. However, there were a couple of instances when the app recommended adjustments to achieve a "perfect fit" for optimal performance

OnePlus Buds Pro 2 review digital assistant capabilities and controls.

• "The control scheme is highly responsive." 
• "In-ear detection is reliable.
• "Digital assistants are well-supported by it.

The chrome-colored part of the stem features a force sensor that detects squeeze and hold gestures, allowing for a range of useful playback controls and functions. The sensor is highly responsive and produces strong tactile feedback with every press, possibly even more sensitive than Apple's AirPods Pro 2. The control scheme is similar to the AirPods, with single, double, and triple squeezes enabling play/pause, next track, and previous track, respectively. Holding the sensor activates listening mode, and a long hold activates soundscapes in Zen Mode Air, such as Warm Sunrise, Iceland, Nighttime Camping, Summer Seashore, and Meditation.

 

The earbuds also feature on-ear detection, which pauses playback when an earbud is removed and automatically resumes when it is placed back in the ear. Depending on your device, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 supports digital assistants such as Siri, Google Assistant, and Bixby. The built-in microphones have excellent speech recognition, responding to requests with impressive speed and precision.

 

OnePlus Buds Pro 2 review "Audio performance"

 

• Sophisticated driver configuration
• Versatile EQ customization
• Hi-Res Audio mode

 

OnePlus Buds Pro 2 Review: Sound Quality Performance

The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 earbuds boast a sophisticated MelodyBoost dual driver arrangement, featuring an 11mm driver for bass frequencies and a 6mm driver for treble duties. The company claims that this driver configuration has been designed with audiophiles in mind, and the specs certainly look impressive on paper. The earbuds offer several sound profiles, including Balanced, Bold, Serenade, and Bass, with tuning attributed to Dynaudio. Across the claimed frequency range of 10Hz to 40kHz, the default Balanced profile provides the most balanced distribution of frequencies.

OnePlus Buds Pro 2 Review: Sound Quality Performance

The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 offer enjoyable sound quality performance, although it may not be the most authentic sound for audiophiles. The sound profile leans towards warmth, with a focus on bass and treble details. However, the frequency balance seems a little off, with some tracks lacking kick and dynamics. For example, while listening to Rihanna's "Don't Stop the Music" during treadmill sessions at the gym, the bassline lacked the punch and dynamics that other earbuds, such as the AirPods Pro 2, were able to deliver. Furthermore, the handclaps and vocals were sharp and excessively sibilant, with the high-frequency "S" sounds at the start and end of words sounding exaggerated and harsh.. While this may not be noticeable on all tracks, it's worth noting that it was the first time the reviewer felt After having listened to this specific track on many different earbuds over the years, the sound came across as overly sharp.

 

OnePlus Buds Pro 2 review " Reviewing the active noise cancellation feature of the OnePlus Buds Pro 2."

 

• Smart ANC mode functioned flawlessly
• Noise reduction effectiveness falls short compared to Apple or Bose models
• ANC modifies the balance of sound

 

OnePlus Buds Pro 2 review highlights the earbuds' impressive Adaptive Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology, which is said to reduce background noise levels by up to 48dB - a significant improvement from the previous model's 40dB noise reduction claim. The earbuds come equipped with Personalized Noise Cancellation mode and three fixed ANC settings - Max, Moderate, and Mild - as well as an adaptive Smart mode that automatically adjusts the noise level reduction based on your surroundings. While the ANC performance of the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 earbuds is effective in most environments, they fall behind compared to top-class models like the Apple AirPods Pro 2 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 in extremely noisy environments. However, the Moderate setting works well in reducing general interruptions from talkative colleagues and passerby noises in the office, although some noises like keyboard tapping may still be audible.
 
OnePlus Buds Pro 2 review, the Smart setting is praised for seamlessly adjusting the level of Adaptive Noise Cancellation (ANC) for optimal noise cancellation based on the surroundings. While there was a slight audio imbalance between the left and right earbuds on one occasion, the Smart mode was not noticeable in action, nor did it affect the EQ balance of the audio. The earbuds also come with a Transparency Mode, which allows users to listen in to their surroundings. This feature comes in handy for brief chats with co-workers or when placing coffee or lunch orders without the need to remove the earbuds.

OnePlus Buds Pro 2 review The device's battery life and charging capabilities

 

• The earbuds offer a mediocre playback time that may not be suitable for extended use.
• However, users can enjoy up to 10 hours of playback time with just a 10-minute charge, providing convenient and quick charging options.
• The earbuds also support wireless charging, allowing users to charge the earbuds without the hassle of cords and cables.

 

The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 claim to have an impressive battery life of 6 hours with active noise cancellation (ANC) playback. This is an improvement over the original OnePlus Buds, which claimed 5 hours of battery life. However, the claimed 6-hour battery life is based on the volume level being at 50% and with Hi-Res mode turned off. In reality, most users tend to listen at higher volumes, and the typical battery life between charges is around 4.5 to 5 hours. Turning off ANC can extend the battery life to 9 hours.

Similar to the original OnePlus Buds, the Fast Charge feature can provide up to 10 hours of use with just a 10-minute charge. It's worth noting that this applies to the earbuds and charging case combined and secures almost 2 full earbud charges in 10 minutes. The charging case itself can hold between 25 and 39 hours, depending on usage.

 

In terms of charging options, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 come with a USB-C charging cable and support wireless Qi charging. With these charging capabilities, users can enjoy longer listening times without the hassle of cables.

 

OnePlus Buds Pro 2 review " In this review of the OnePlus Buds Pro 2, we'll take a closer look at their call performance by analyzing factors such as call quality and connectivity.."

 

• Good call quality
• Bluetooth 5.3 support with occasional dropouts
• Google Fast Pair compatibility

 

Comprehensive OnePlus Buds Pro 2 Review: The Ideal Earbuds for Clear and Crisp Calls

The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 are a fantastic option for those in need of reliable earbuds for calls. According to reviews, these earbuds have excellent call quality, and callers have reported hearing the reviewer's voice loud and clear. Although background noise interfered with some outdoor calls, indoor calls were successful.

 

These earbuds support Bluetooth 5.3, and their range was excellent in most cases. There were a few instances of dropouts during music playback, but this occurred only when the playback device was within a few feet of the reviewer.

Pairing these earbuds with a mobile device was a breeze, and the OnePlus 6 (or higher) has access to Fast Pair, which provides instantaneous pairing. In conclusion, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 are the perfect choice for anyone looking for earbuds that offer clear calls and seamless connectivity.

 

OnePlus Buds Pro 2 review  "Verdict":

 

In-Depth OnePlus Buds Pro 2 Review: A Solid Update with Some Caveats

In this OnePlus Buds Pro 2 review, we take a closer look at the second-generation model of this popular earbud. While the original model was highly regarded, this latest version falls a bit short in some areas.

Despite this, there are still several benefits to these earbuds. The design is exceptional, the controls are smooth, and the feature set is impressive, resulting in an excellent user experience. The Adaptive ANC feature is effective at reducing background noise, although it doesn't match the performance of the best noise-cancelling earbuds available. The battery life has improved, but it is still average and falls short of

Apple's AirPods Pro 2.

 

However, the audio quality seems to be tailored to bass and treble frequencies, which may not be suitable for audiophile listeners. The LHDC 'hi-res' support that OnePlus offers may not appeal to everyone. Despite this, the Buds Pro 2 remain a valuable update with stable connectivity and a top-tier feature set.

It is possible that the sound balance may be improved in future software updates. Until then, the

OnePlus Buds Pro 2 provide a pleasurable listening experience that adds a burst of energy to music but may not provide the most authentic-sounding audio experience. Overall, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 are a solid update, albeit with some caveats.