OnePlus Buds 4 Review: Flagship ANC at a Fraction of the Price

The mid-range TWS market is messy. Some earbuds nail the price, others the feature set, and very few manage to do both. The OnePlus Buds 4 comes in hot at ₹5,999 with promises that sound too good for the segment - flagship-grade ANC, dual drivers, a long-lasting battery, and some clever features like swipe volume control and AI-powered live translation.

Now, if you've used OnePlus audio gear in the past, you'll know there's usually a catch. Sometimes it's the tuning. Sometimes the app. Sometimes the battery life doesn't live up to the spec sheet. So the big question is: are the Buds 4 just another spec-sheet flex or do they actually deliver?

Let's break it down.

PROS

• Punchy, detailed sound
• Best-in-class ANC
• Featherlight comfort fit

CONS

• Buggy app experience
• No wireless charging
• Slight video lag

Design & Fit: Minimalist, but Striking

Let's start with the looks. The Buds 4 are clean and compact, maybe too understated for some, unless you get the Zen Green variant, which is a legit head-turner. The case is lightweight, rounded, and solid, though it misses out on wireless charging. The earbuds themselves are among the lightest I've used. At under 5 grams each, you'll forget they're in your ears after a few minutes, which is ideal for all-day use.

They also stay in place. I've taken calls, walked briskly through traffic, and even tried a few shrug-headphone-checks - no dislodging. The fit is secure and comfortable without that "vacuum" seal some silicone tips cause.

Sound: Energetic and Bass-Forward

These are not neutral, reference-tuned earbuds, and they don't pretend to be. The Buds 4 are tuned for fun, with bold bass, energetic mids, and a slightly boosted treble. That's great if you like your music lively. Bollywood, EDM, pop, hip-hop, all sound punchy and rich.

OnePlus has used a coaxial dual-driver setup (11mm + 6mm), and it's not just marketing fluff. There's surprising detail in vocal-heavy tracks and instrumentals. Highs stay crisp, but on some EQ modes (like the 'Serene' preset), they can get a bit harsh. The default 'Balanced' mode gives the cleanest experience without the bass bleeding into the mids.

If you're a purist listening to acoustic or classic rock, you might notice some congestion in complex arrangements. These buds prioritize excitement over absolute fidelity.

Also, worth noting is that they get loud. Not distortion-loud, just properly loud. Good for gym folks or noisy environments.

ANC: Absolutely Bonkers for the Price

Let's address the headliner: Active Noise Cancellation.

OnePlus claims 55dB noise cancellation. Real-world? Not quite that, but it's very, very good - easily the best ANC I've heard in any earbud at and around this price range. It silences fans, AC hums, background chatter, and even dulls out traffic noise impressively.

You get Adaptive ANC too, which adjusts cancellation based on your environment. In a café, it softened ambient noise but still let through the barista's voice faintly, exactly what it should do.

And yes, there's Transparency Mode when you want the world back in. It works well, but occasionally sounds overly processed, especially in windy conditions.

App & Features: Smart, But Clunky at Times

There's a lot happening behind the scenes with these buds. Volume swipe gestures on the stems are intuitive and genuinely useful. Tap controls are customizable too, and generally responsive. But yes, you will misfire a few until you get the hang of the touch zones.

To unlock most features, you'll need the HeyMelody app - or the native settings if you have a OnePlus phone. From firmware updates to EQ tuning to spatial audio toggles, everything's here. But the app has a history of being buggy menus that take forever to load, weird pairing issues, and occasional lag.

Also, while you get dual-device pairing, 3D audio, LHDC 5.0 codec, and real-time translation, many of these are locked to OnePlus phones. If you're using any other Android or iPhone, you miss out on some ecosystem advantages.

Battery Life: Solid, Not Spectacular

OnePlus claims 11 hours playback (ANC off), 5-6 hours (ANC on), and 45 hours total with the case. In actual use, I got:

• ~5.5 hours with ANC on and moderate volume
• ~8 hours without ANC
• Just over 2.5 additional charges from the case

Fast charging is a lifesaver here - 10 minutes gives you 10+ hours combined playback. That's perfect if you forget to charge before heading out.

But if you're buying these for long-haul travel, keep a power bank handy. They'll get you through a flight, but not a cross-continent one without a case refill.

Call Quality: Clean & Clear

OnePlus uses a triple-mic setup with AI noise reduction, and for most environments, it works well. Indoors, my voice was clear and free from room echo. Outdoors, it blocked out most traffic noise unless it got extremely windy.

Zoom calls, Teams meetings, voice notes, and all came through crisp. No deal-breaking artifacts or dropouts during my week of usage.

Real Competition: Internal and External

At ₹5,999, the Buds 4 face stiff competition. Ironically, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 are sometimes discounted to ₹8-9K, and they bring wireless charging, better tuning, and premium build. If that gap doesn't matter to your wallet, consider the Pro.

Elsewhere, Realme Buds Air 5 Pro offer similar drivers, ANC, and codec support - often under ₹5K. Nothing CMF Buds 2 Pro are even cheaper and surprisingly decent, but they fall short on battery and polish. JBL Tune Beam and OPPO Enco Buds 2 Pro also float around this segment with their own pros and cons.

What OnePlus nails here is the overall balance. Buds 4 give you a little bit of everything, without falling flat in any one area.

Verdict: One of the Best Under ₹6K

The OnePlus Buds 4 feel like someone sat down and asked, "What can we borrow from our ₹12K product, and how much of it can we bring to half the price?"

And then did it.

You get a fun sound profile, segment's best ANC, reliable call quality, and just enough polish to make it all feel like a cohesive experience. They're not flawless - the app needs work, the touch controls can be twitchy, and the sound isn't for purists, but for anyone looking to spend under ₹6,000, these should be near the top of your list.

Buy them if...

• You want top-tier ANC on a budget
• You're a OnePlus phone user
• You prefer lightweight buds with long battery life

Skip them if...

• You want neutral tuning
• You need buds for very long commute with ANC on
• You're getting the Buds Pro 3 at a similar price