OnePlus has added a new member to its wireless audio lineup with the launch of the OnePlus Buds 4. Priced at €119, they sit below the flagship Buds Pro 3, offering a more affordable alternative while retaining some of the core features. Compared to last year’s Buds 3, the Buds 4 come with larger dual drivers, a new dual DAC setup, improved active noise cancellation (ANC), and better battery life.
Design and Comfort
The Buds 4 take design cues from both the Buds Pro 3 and the Nord series. The case has a smooth, matte metallic finish, which looks neat but can be a bit slippery to hold. The lid opens with a nice snap, though the build doesn’t feel as premium as the Pro model.
The earbuds themselves feature chunky stems with a flattened section for gesture controls. The ear tips are designed for deeper insertion, which helps with passive noise isolation. While this does improve ANC performance, it may not be comfortable for everyone. The seal can feel too tight at times and might give a bit of the underwater sensation common with in-ear buds.
OnePlus has included an IP55 rating, making the Buds 4 resistant to dust and splashes—handy for workouts or light rain.
Software and Features
Users who own OnePlus phones are able to pair The Buds 4 through the native Bluetooth settings, while other Android and iOS users can use HeyMelody app. It has A nc controls which is graded into low, moderate, high and adaptive. It also offers transparency and audio presets. There’s a basic equalizer with three preset profiles as well as a custom 6-band EQ. Other features include 3D Audio (without head-tracking) and Golden Sound which customizes audio based on hearing test. There is also a Game Mode feature which reduces latency along with a new handy option which allows you to mute or lower system beeps for ANC mode switching. Furthers most of the settings are already saved directly on the earbuds so your preferences will still be there after switching devices.
Audio Performance
The OnePlus Buds 4 are equipped with an 11mm woofer and 6mm tweeter along with a dual DAC system which in theory is supposed to enhance their performance; however, they are not without flaws. With their LHDC 5.0 and high-res audio support of 192kHz, sound quality was hit or miss. Generally, onturned bass aided the overall performance. However, the problem now lies within suffocating vocals as well as instruments because mid-range is too overpowered by the bass.
Call Quality and Latency
The microphone performance is decent for calls. Voice comes through clearly, even in moderately noisy environments, although background sounds are reduced rather than e
liminated. There’s no support for Bluetooth LE Audio, so stereo mic input during voice chats or gaming is not possible.
Latency is reasonable for regular use, and Game Mode helps reduce it further—especially on OnePlus phones, where the mode is enabled automatically.
Noise Cancellation
One of the strongest points of the Buds 4 is their ANC. With up to 55dB of noise reduction, they outperform the more expensive Buds Pro 3 in some areas. The seal from the ear tips, combined with effective ANC, makes them excellent for travel or commuting. Transparency mode is equally impressive, letting in outside sound naturally without distortion.
There’s also an adaptive mode that switches between ANC and transparency based on your surroundings, but it didn’t always work as expected in testing.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is solid. You get around 11 hours of playback with ANC off using AAC, and roughly 8.5 hours with LHDC. With ANC on, the earbuds last about 5 to 6 hours depending on codec. The case adds more top-ups but lacks wireless charging. Charging is via USB-C only.
Disclaimer:
At the time of writing, the information in this article was based on user experience, performance testing, and product details that were available. Depending on software updates, device compatibility, and usage, individual experiences may differ. This review is not meant to be an endorsement or source of professional advice; rather, it is meant to be informative only. Before making a purchase, readers are advised to confirm features and specifications with the official OnePlus website or approved retailers.
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