OnePlus Nord Buds and Oppo Enco Air 3 are popular options in the market. They are both options and known for their sound quality. They also offer the option to customize sound profiles through the app. So you can fine-tune the sound to your liking.
But which earbuds have a better sound experience overall? And which one performs better when it comes to other features such as battery life, build, and connectivity.
If you’re confused between OnePlus Nord Buds and Oppo Enco Air 3, this review is for you. By the end of the article, you’ll know which pair of earbuds performed better and got our seal of approval.
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How to Choose the Best Earbuds for You?
There are many options to consider when choosing earbuds. Some features are objective, like call quality. Others boil down to preferences like sound quality and design. We are here to give you all the info so you can decide for yourself.
When choosing earbuds, sound quality is essential, as is battery life, like with any Bluetooth device. Then comes comfort and connectivity. We’ve divided our review accordingly.
Overview of Both the Headphones
Here’s an overview of the OnePlus Nord Buds and Oppo Enco Air 3.
OnePlus Nord Buds
OnePlus Nord Buds are OnePlus’ first budget TWS launch. They have powerful 12.4mm audio drivers that give you a balanced sound output. They offer a battery backup of 30 hours with the case and 7 hours on the buds.
They also offer fantastic features such as Sound equalizers, dual device connection, and Dolby Atmos Support.
Oppo Enco Air 3
Oppo Enco Air 3 has massive 13.4mm drivers that manage bass and treble to give you a fantastic sound experience. With these earbuds, you’ll get a battery backup of 25 hours with the case and 6 hours with the buds.
They also offer features such as different sound modes, a gaming mode, and DNN for calling.
Specifications Comparison
| Brand | OnePlus | Oppo |
| Model | TWS Nord | Enco Air 3 |
| Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless |
| Price | Rs 2799 | Rs 2999 |
| Features | Dolby Atmos Support, Gaming Mode, Dual Device Connection, Sound Equalizer through app | Oppo Alive Audio, Gaming Mode, DNN for calling |
| Wireless type | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth |
| Ear placement | In-ear | In-ear |
| Battery Backup | 30 hours | 25 hours |
| Maximum Operating Distance | 10 meters | 10 metres |
| Item Weight | 47 g | 37 g |
| Manufacturer | OnePlus | Guangdong Oppo Mobile Telecommunications Corp, Ltd. |
| Compatible Devices | All Bluetooth Devices | All Bluetooth Devices |
| Noise Control | Passive Noise Isolation | Passive Noise Isolation |
About the Brands
A brief history on OnePlus and Oppo to know their vision for their products.
OnePlus
OnePlus is a Chinese Electronics brand and a subsidiary of Oppo. Pete Lau and Carl Pei founded the brand in 2013. They started by developing a range of high-end flagship phones.
They’ve expanded their product categories to wearable devices, including wireless buds, bands, and watches.
Oppo
Oppo is a Chinese electronics brand and manufacturer that was launched in 2004. Their product line includes smartphones, audio devices, and other electronic products.
They are known for their innovation and are now dominating the Indian Audio Market with many launches under the Enco series.
OnePlus Nord Buds Vs Oppo Enco Air 3: 4 Factor Comparison
Here are the factors we tested OnePlus Nord Buds and Oppo Enco Air 3 on.
1. Functions & Connectivity
Here is a comparison of all the connectivity features and functions of the earbuds.
OnePlus Nord Buds
OnePlus Nord Buds come with Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity support that works in a 10-meter radius. You get fast pair if you have a OnePlus. The process is slightly lengthy for other phones as it does not support Google Fast Pair.
You can access their sound-equalizing features through the HeyMelody app. It also lets you change touch control features.
Nord Buds also come with Dual Connection, so you can connect to two devices simultaneously.
Oppo Enco Air 3
Oppo Enco Air 3 has the latest Bluetooth 5.3 for connectivity and also features Wake N Pair Technology. This lets you instantly connect to your phone when you open the case.
You can use the app within your Oppo device to access other features or download the heymelody app.
The sound equalizer gives you access to 3 different sound modes. You can customize touch features through the app, and you also get Dual device connection.
Who Wins?
Although both devices have the same features, Oppo Enco Air 3 have the upper hand for coming with the latest Bluetooth 5.3 version.
2. Battery Life
Here is a comparison of battery life and which earbuds have better playtime.
OnePlus Nord Buds
Oneplus Nord Buds come with a powerful 480 mAh battery on the case and 41 mAh on each earbud. They claim to give 7 hours of battery backup with the earbuds and 30 hours with the case.
They also come with fasting charging support, where you get 5 hours of playback with only 10 minutes of charging.
While testing out their battery, they only lasted 5 hours on the buds and 25 hours with the case.
Oppo Enco Air 3
Oppo Enco Air 3 comes with a 300 mAh battery on the charging case and 27 mAh on each earbud. They promise a battery life of 6 hours on the earbuds and 25 hours with the charging case.
They also offer a fast charge option that promises 2 hours of playback with 10 minutes of charging.
While testing out the battery, we got only 4 hours of playtime with the buds and 20 hours with the case.
Who Wins?
OnePlus Nord Buds are the clear winner for having better battery life.
3. Build and Design
Here is a comparison of how the build quality differs across these earbuds.
OnePlus Nord Buds
OnePlus Nord Buds come with a trunk-shaped case and earbuds with flat stems. They also come with concave silver-finish touch pads that make touch controls accessible.
They come with silicone ear tips that offer additional sound isolation and offer a custom fit. They come with extra ear tips for a custom fit.
Oppo Enco Air 3
Oppo Enco Air 3 comes with a transparent jelly case. The earbuds have rounded stems and a transparent panel at the bottom to tie in with the case.
The earbuds have an entirely plastic build. The ear tips are also made up of plastic, so they don’t offer the extra sound isolation that comes with silicone ear tips. This also means they do not have a universal fit, so they might not be as comfortable to everyone.
Who Wins?
OnePlus Nord Buds takes the cake here for having silicone ear tips that offer a universal fit and sound isolation.
4. Sound Quality
Here is how sound differs between these earbuds.
OnePlus Nord Buds
OnePlus Nord Buds have 12.4mm titanium drivers that offer a good experience. They lean towards a more bass-heavy sound.
They have good highs, but the mids tend to get slightly suppressed. They come with sound equalizer support, so you tune the sound to your preference.
Oppo Enco Air 3
Oppo Enco Air 3 buds come with powerful 13.4mm audio drivers that create loud and powerful sounds. They come with three sound modes for you to choose from.
You also get an Alive Audio option. You get punchy bass, and if you don’t like the sound, you can tweak it to your liking.
Who Wins?
Both earbuds have similar output when it comes to sound, so we’ll give it to both of them.
Highlights for The Headphones
Here are the highlights of the OnePlus Nord Buds and Oppo Enco Air 3.
OnePlus Nord Buds
- Sound Quality – Has the option to equalize sound through the app.
- Comfort – Lightweight and can be worn all day.
- Design – Silicone ear tips offer added sound isolation.
Oppo Enco Air 3
- Sound Quality – Sound equalizer has 3 different modes.
- Gaming mode – low latency for lag-free gaming.
- Durability – Premium build quality that will last.
Who Won?
Overall Winner – OnePlus Nord Buds!
OnePlus turned out to win most categories, so they are our undisputed winner. They have a premium look and feel to them. Nord Buds have a trunk-shaped case, and the earbuds come with flat stems. They have a comfortable fit that can be worn all day.
Their battery life is also good and can last a day on moderate usage. They offer a great sound experience on their own, and you can customize it through the app.
Winner’s Pros and Cons in Detail
All the pros and cons of OnePlus Nord Buds.
Pros
- Sound Quality – Bass-heavy sound profile. Can also customize it through the app.
- Comfort – Comfortable and can be worn all day.
- Design – Unique design. Silicone ear tips provide sound isolation.
- Features – Comes with dual connectivity and IP55 rating.
Cons
- Calling – Call quality is not great despite the 4-mic setup.
- Portability– The case is bulky and can’t be carried easily.
- Exclusivity– Certain features only available for select OnePlus phones.
Why Did Oppo Enco Air 3 Lose?
Oppo Enco Air 3 were a promising pair of earbuds, but they couldn’t stand up to the OnePlus Nord Buds in some areas. They have the lower battery life out of the two earbuds. They also have an entirely plastic build, including ear tips. Compared to silicone ear tips, they don’t offer a universal fit and also lack when it comes to sound isolation.
FAQ’s
Do the OnePlus Nord Buds have a Mic?
Yes, OnePlus Nord Buds come with a 4-mic setup, with 2-mics on each earbud for better calling.
Are OnePlus Nord earbuds worth buying?
Yes, OnePlus Nord Buds have features such as sound equalizers, gaming mode, and Dolby Atmos Support. They are worth buying if you have a OnePlus device.
Is Oppo Enco Air 3 worth buying?
Yes, Oppo Enco Air 3 is a good buy. They come with different sound modes, gaming modes, and DNN for calling.
Is OPPO Enco Air 3 waterproof?
No, Oppo Enco Air 3 is not waterproof. They come with an IP54 rating, meaning they can sustain light water splashes.
Is there noise cancellation in OnePlus Nord Buds?
No, OnePlus Nord Buds do not come with ANC. They offer passive noise isolation because of their style.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve compared the OnePlus Nord Buds and Oppo Enco Air 3, we hope you know which option is better. We divided them and tested them across different categories, so it will be a fair test.
While we’ve decided that OnePlus Nord Buds are the better option, feel free to do your own test and determine which ones are best for you.
We hope this review gave you all the necessary information on these two earbuds. Check our review page to read in-depth reviews on both earbuds.
Meet Sadiq Iqbal, a tech enthusiast and avid gamer who discovered his passion for technology through his love for gaming. Over time, this grew into a fascination with other tech related gadgets and he now likes spending time testing, and reviewing different products. He stays up to date with the latest tech, and his knowledge in the field makes him a trusted source. Through TechWizard, he hopes to help people find the right tech for them.