Report: OnePlus Buds Pro 3 could blow away rivals thanks to top-notch audio customization
An Amazon listing for the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 was recently discovered, revealing some key information including design changes, specs, and certain features. The page has since been taken down, but tech news site SmartPrix was able to save a few screenshots.
The earbuds themselves look nearly identical to the OnePlus Buds 3, but their stems are made of polished metal and the base has a matte coating. The charging case, however, moves away from a blocky look to something more egg-shaped. It measures 65 x 52 x 26mm and weighs 61g, making it marginally longer and heavier than the Buds 3 case.
OnePlus Buds Pro 3 costs €199 in Europe #OnePlusBudsPro3 pic.twitter.com/DsmVID8WXSAugust 2, 2024
Inside the Buds Pro 3, there’s a dual-driver setup consisting of a 6mm tweeter alongside an 11mm woofer, each “tuned with its own DAC,” or digital-to-analog converter. DACs are present in nearly every sound-producing device, so it’s not a rare tech. Per the leaked product description, this “Dual DAC” setup allows the earbuds to deliver “rich lows and pristine highs across an expansive soundstage.”
Improvements in audio
On the software front, the leak claims that the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 “support the LHDC 5.0 codec,” allowing the devices to output 25-bit/192kHz audio at a bitrate of up to 1,000Kbps. Without getting into too much detail, this means users will be able to enjoy their favorite songs in high-resolution audio.
OnePlus is said to be improving on several previous features. The upcoming model’s ‘Adaptive Noise Cancellation’ can apparently block out up to 50 dB of sound, which is slightly higher than the 49 dB ceiling on the OnePlus Buds Pro 2. Voice cancellation is said to be “twice as effective” compared to the older pair.
SmartPrix also notes that the earbuds come with Dynaudio EQs, a feature created in collaboration with speaker brand Dynaudio that allows for “precisely tuned audio profiles.”
Notable features
If the leak is to be believed, the Buds Pro 3’s battery life gets progressively worse, dropping to 43 hours on a single charge. That’s still a decent amount, but it’s lower than the Buds 3. Other notable features include Bluetooth 5.4 support, multi-point connectivity, and an IP55 water resistance rating for surviving splashes and dust.
Pricing for the earbuds was not shown on Amazon’s listings. However, industry insider Max Jambor on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) claims the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 will retail for €199 (around $200/£179/$330 AUD).
The earbuds’ launch date is still unknown, but when they do release, they should come in at least two different colors: Lunar Radiance White and Midnight Opus Black.
Jambor’s post shows a third gray option, though the color could simply be the result of the poor lighting conditions in the photo, making the white chassis appear darker. It’s worth noting that older leaks from July suggested a mint green pair.
As always, take this leak with a grain of salt. Things can change in the blink of an eye. Be sure to check out TechRadar’s roundup of the best earbuds for 2024.
