OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro Review: Reliable, Balanced, And A Little Too Familiar

• Good for the price, but nothing that stands out as exceptional
• Sound is the classic OnePlus balanced profile: crisp, loud, and controlled
• ANC is the weakest link; CMF alternatives do it better
• Battery life is the clear winner at 54 hours total with fast charging
• Design is the same as seen on OnePlus buds, just with squarish case instead of oval

The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro are a competent pair of budget earbuds that get the fundamentals right. The sound is clean, balanced, and well-suited for rock, Bollywood, and everyday content. Battery life is genuinely impressive and is the strongest argument in their favour. Bluetooth 6.0, LHDC 5.0 support, and OnePlus ecosystem features like AI translation add genuine value at this price. However, the ANC falls short of its 55dB promise in real-world noisy settings, the design is a retread of the previous generation, and the competition from Realme and CMF makes the value proposition tighter than OnePlus would like. These are earbuds you can rely on daily, but they are unlikely to excite you.

• Stem-style design with matte finish, 4.4g per earbud
• Case shifted from pebble to squarish-oval; difference is marginal
• IP55 rated earbuds; case does not share the same protection
• Nearly identical to Nord Buds 3 Pro in look and feel

The Nord Buds 4 Pro use a stem-style matte finish that keeps fingerprints at bay, and at 4.4 grams per earbud, they are light enough for extended wear. The charging case has moved from a pebble shape to a squarish-oval form factor, claimed to be 10 percent smaller, but in practice the difference is marginal. It uses glossy plastic with a silver OnePlus logo, LED indicator, and USB-C at the bottom. Pocketable, but sits awkwardly alongside a phone or keys. The materials justify the Rs 3,999 price tag but do nothing to differentiate these from the predecessor. In a segment where CMF has its Smart Dial and Realme is collaborating with industrial designers for distinctive case aesthetics, OnePlus has played it too safe.

• Secure fit with multiple ear tip sizes; comfortable for long sessions
• Stable during light workouts and brisk walking
• Slide gesture for volume is useful but tricky until you build muscle memory

Once you find the right ear tip size, the earbuds sit securely without that uncomfortable vacuum seal some silicone tips create. They stayed in place through extended sessions, calls, and light workouts, and the IP55 rating means sweat is not a concern. The slide gesture on the stem for volume adjustment is a genuinely useful addition, but when adjusting volume or toggling ANC, you have to be careful not to dislodge the buds. The sensitivity is tricky at first, and you will push them out of position a few times before developing the right touch. Once you get the muscle memory, it becomes second nature.

• Classic OnePlus tuning: balanced mids and lows, bass does not overpower
• Loud, crisp, and enjoyable for rock, electronic, Bollywood, and general content
• LHDC 5.0 Hi-Res audio makes a noticeable difference with compatible devices
• Too restrained for bass-heavy genres; EQ helps but does not fully compensate

The sound signature is distinctly OnePlus. The 12mm titanium-coated drivers deliver a profile where mids and lows are well balanced, and the bass is levelled quite well instead of overpowering the mix. The output is loud, crisp, and works particularly well with rock, electronic tracks and Bollywood music, where the combination of clean mids and controlled bass creates a sound that is punchy and musical without becoming fatiguing. LHDC 5.0 Hi-Res audio, rare at this price, makes a noticeable difference in clarity when paired with a compatible device.

However, if you listen primarily to RnB, hip-hop, or genres that depend on deep bass, the default tuning will feel too restrained. The EQ in the HeyMelody app helps, but the out-of-the-box experience leans towards balance over aggression. Competitors from Realme and CMF push harder on the low end at this price.

• 55dB ANC claim with TUV Rheinland certification
• Works adequately in quiet settings; struggles in noisy environments
• Cheaper CMF alternatives deliver noticeably better noise cancellation
• Transparency mode is functional but unremarkable

This is where the Nord Buds 4 Pro disappoints the most. The 55dB ANC handles AC hum and low ambient buzz competently in quiet settings. But in a crowded metro, a busy street, or an office with active conversations, external sounds seep through even with music playing at moderate volume. I have experienced better noise cancellation from CMF alternatives, which makes the headline number feel more like a theoretical ceiling than an everyday reality. Transparency mode is present and functional, but nothing to write home about. If ANC is a dealbreaker for your commute, these might not clear the bar.

The six microphones with AI-backed noise reduction handle outgoing calls clearly in indoor conditions. However, incoming audio lacks the same definition, with voices sounding thin on longer calls. In windy conditions, the microphones struggle noticeably, and outdoor calls on a two-wheeler or a breezy terrace lead to the person on the other end asking you to repeat yourself. For indoor calling, acceptable. For frequent outdoor callers, factor this in.

The six microphones with AI-backed noise reduction handle outgoing calls clearly in indoor conditions. However, incoming audio lacks the same definition, with voices sounding thin on longer calls. In windy conditions, the microphones struggle noticeably, and outdoor calls on a two-wheeler or a breezy terrace lead to the person on the other end asking you to repeat yourself. For indoor calling, acceptable. For frequent outdoor callers, factor this in.

• Up to 13 hours on earbuds alone (ANC off); 54 hours total with case
• Comfortably lasted a full workday; 3-4 days with moderate case usage
• 10-minute fast charge gives about 13 hours of playback with case

Battery life is comfortably the strongest selling point. In real-world use with a mix of ANC on and off across music and calls, the earbuds lasted through a full workday on a single charge, and I went three to four days before plugging the case in. The 10-minute fast charge giving about 13 hours of playback is a lifesaver when you have forgotten to charge the night before. Full charging takes about an hour for the earbuds and 90 minutes with the case. No wireless charging, but that is unreasonable to expect at this price. At Rs 3,999, this gives the Nord Buds 4 Pro a clear edge over most competitors.

• Bluetooth 6.0 with Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair
• Dual-device connectivity works smoothly
• HeyMelody app covers ANC, EQ, spatial audio, game mode, Spotify Tap
• AI translation on OxygenOS 15.0.1+ is a genuinely unusual feature at this price

Pairing is quick, Bluetooth 6.0 keeps the connection stable, and dual-device switching works without manual intervention. The slide volume controls become a daily convenience once you adjust to them. The HeyMelody app covers ANC modes, Sound Master EQ, spatial audio, game mode, Spotify Tap, and an earbud fit test. On OnePlus phones running OxygenOS 15.0.1 or later, real-time AI translation across English, Hindi, Spanish, and French is a genuinely unusual feature at this price. Game mode noticeably reduces latency and makes a real difference during fast-paced mobile gaming.

• Well-rounded package at Rs 3,999 but competition is fierce
• Realme Buds Air 8 (Rs 3,599) offers dual drivers, longer battery, dual DAC
• CMF Buds Pro 2 (Rs 4,299) has better ANC, Smart Dial, dual drivers
• CMF Buds 2 Plus (Rs 3,299) delivers 50dB ANC and 61.5-hour battery for less

At Rs 3,999, you get Bluetooth 6.0, LHDC 5.0, excellent battery life, slide controls, and OnePlus ecosystem integration. That is a solid package. But the Realme Buds Air 8 at Rs 3,599 offers dual drivers, the same 55dB ANC, LHDC 5.0, and a longer 58-hour battery with a dual DAC setup. The CMF Buds Pro 2 at Rs 4,299 brings better ANC, LDAC, the Smart Dial, and dual drivers. Even the CMF Buds 2 Plus at Rs 3,299 delivers 50dB ANC, LDAC, and 61.5 hours at a lower price. The Nord Buds 4 Pro do not clearly beat cheaper alternatives on any single metric, but offer a more balanced overall package.

The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro are a reliable pair of earbuds that get the everyday basics right. The sound is clean and crisp, battery life is outstanding, and the feature set is generous for the price. But the underwhelming ANC, uninspired design, and fierce competition from Realme and CMF prevent them from being an easy recommendation. These are earbuds you buy for dependability, not excitement.