The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 is the next generation of high-end TWS earbuds from OnePlus. Building upon the success of its predecessor, this new-generation TWS introduces a range of enhancements, including a notable collaboration with Dynaudio. With improved battery life, spatial audio featuring a head tracking feature, and a host of other premium features, the Buds Pro 2 aims to surpass expectations.
OnePlus Buds Pro 2 Review
In this review, we tested the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 and determine whether it could be a strong contender in the competitive top-of-the-line TWS earbuds market. With its price of Php 9,990, the Buds Pro 2 directly targets its more expensive competitors such as the Galaxy Buds2 Pro, Apple AirPods II, and Bose QC Earbuds II. Let's explore whether this device possesses the capabilities necessary to sway potential buyers away from its formidable competition. Join us in this review.
Design
Our OnePlus Buds Pro 2 comes in Arbor Green colorway, but you can also get the more bespoke Black variant. Just like the first-generation Buds Pro, this latest installment features a sleek lightweight case and buds. The actual buds come in a typical stem-design, which registers a dual-tone texture - a matte finish on most of its body, and a shiny-metallic finish on the stem section.
The stem area serves as a control hub, allowing users to effortlessly manage audio playback and other controls. By default, a single press on this section enables users to conveniently play or pause a track. To swiftly skip to the next track, a double press does the trick, while a triple press lets you seamlessly go back to the previous one. Additionally, by pressing and holding this area, users can toggle between Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency modes, adapting to your preferred audio environment.
Plus, the flexibility doesn't stop there. The supporting app provides you with the ability to customize these gesture controls, tailoring them to your personal preferences and ensuring a truly personalized listening experience.
The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 case exudes a premium feel, thanks to its sleek matte-finished exterior, which provides a delightful tactile experience when held. Its lid boasts a robust construction, opening with confidence and closing with a gratifying sound that signifies its solid build. The hinge of the case is impressively sturdy, capable of enduring repeated usage without any signs of wear.
The USB-C port is conveniently located near the hinge. Positioned on the front side of the case is the LED indicator, providing clear visual feedback on the charging status. Adorning the top of the case are the distinct branding of both OnePlus and Dynaudio, exemplifying the collaboration of these reputable brands.
On the interior side of the lid, you'll encounter a smoother matte texture, providing an elegant contrast to the external surface. In addition, a well-placed pairing button can be found near the compartment where the earbuds are housed, allowing for easy and seamless device connectivity.
Overall, the build quality of the case is truly exceptional, showcasing meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to providing a premium user experience.
Fit and Function
When it comes to the earbuds, their lightweight construction makes them exceptionally comfortable to wear for extended periods. I appreciate the thoughtful design of the buds, as they seamlessly conform to the contours of the ears without protruding or becoming dislodged too easily.
Aside from the default eartips that come with the earbuds, the box also includes two extra eartips. On top of that, you'll also get a USB-C cable and some paperworks.
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| WATCH: OnePlus Buds Pro 2 Unboxing Video |
The meticulous attention to detail ensures a secure and enjoyable listening experience as reflected in the sound quality (more on that later). With this, the stem which houses the control functions is very accessible for pressing-and-holding. On top of that, the buds are rated with IP55 water and dust resistance, while the case is rated with IPX4.
With the OnePlus Buds Pro 2, you can connect with two devices at the same time via the Dual Connection feature. This allows you to seamlessly connect with two devices simultaneously. Gone are the days when you must manually switch your Bluetooth connection from one device to another; this feature is very convenient for me since I tend to use the buds on my phone and my laptop.
The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 is equipped with Bluetooth v5.3 for wide range of connectivity options, including support for SBC, AAC, and the advanced LHDC 4.0 Lossless codec. Furthermore, each earbud has three high-quality microphones, ensuring robust call quality that has been positively acknowledged by the other party in the call in my personal testing.
Software
We used the OnePlus Buds 2 Pro with our OPPO phone with the help of the HeyMelody app, which is also the default companion app in other non-OnePlus smartphones. If you don't have a OnePlus phone, you wouldn't miss out on most of the features using the HeyMelody app; in fact, the latter is easier to use due to its app-based nature.
For one, you'll get a straightforward battery status of the case and the buds above the Noise Control modes, which includes "Noise Cancellation", "Transparency", and "Off" function. Speaking of Noise Cancellation, the app allows you to toggle on Personalized Noise Cancellation; on top of that, you'll also have several options for control mode - Smart, Max, Moderate, and Mild.
The app also gives users the ability to choose preset EQs under Sound Master EQ, most of which are tuned by Dynaudio like the Balanced, Bold, Serenade, and Bass. An interesting mode called the Hans Zimmer Soundscape Tuning is also available giving a bright mix of sounds and vocals. In addition, you can add your customized equalizer under Custom mode.
You can further customize your hearing experience by using the Golden Sound feature, which offers studio-quality sound that's calibrated for your ear canal structure and hearing characteristics. This is different from the Earbud Fit Test which just plainly test if you have the best fit for the buds or you need to swap eartips to make a perfect seal.
The Zen Mode Air function will play white noise as invoked. You can activate this by pressing and holding the stem of the earbuds for 3 seconds. You even have several options for white noise - Warm Sunrise, Iceland, Nighttime Camping, Summer Sunrise, and Meditation. Lastly, the buds also support Game Mode.
Sound Quality, ANC
From the get-go, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 employs an innovative dual-driver design, which is a combination of 11mm dynamic driver with 10Hz to 8kHz frequency range and a 6mm planar diaphragm tweeter which extends from 8kHz to 40kHz.
The Buds Pro 2 deliver dynamic sound signature that's characterized by balanced and warm soundstage. The sound accentuates on low and high frequencies, while creating a slight dip in the mid-range, resulting in a unique yet captivating audio profile. In some instances, the Buds 2 Pro can exhibit a tendency towards being excessively "bassy" and overpowering, especially in higher volumes.
Overall sound quality is quite a bit bright, and they tend to sound good out of the box. For audiophiles, the sound quality may not be very appealing, but majority of listeners would find the audio quality bright, crisp, and ideal for high-end earbuds. You'll definitely love the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 if you're into bassy sounds. Mid-registers need to be amped a bit, while highs and lows remain very ideal.
ANC, Spatial Audio, Battery Life
I am actually rooting for these earbuds to be cutthroat in terms of the Active Noise Cancellation feature, unfortunately it's not on the same league as the leading ANC earbuds - Airpods Pro, Bose QC Earbuds II, etc. However, I could say that it can effectively filter several sounds with low frequencies like conversations in a coffee shop, an electric fan, and a knock on the door. It's not aggressive in filtering mid and high frequencies. When activating Transparency Mode, you'll hear amplified ambient noises, and voices become clearer.
As of this writing, Spatial Audio is only supported with OnePlus 11 and OnePlus 11R. I did not get the chance to try this feature. As for the battery life, I played roughly 9 hours with the buds without ANC and 6 hours with the ANC. With the case, you'd expect to have additional four charges. Gladly, the case is also capable of wireless charging.
Verdict: Should You Buy OnePlus Buds Pro 2?
The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 is quite an interesting pair of TWS earbuds. It stands out in terms of sound quality, positioning itself as a potential contender among other leading brands in this segment. However, there is room for improvement, particularly in the area of active noise cancellation. I believe OnePlus should consider addressing this aspect in future software updates to make the earbuds even more competitive.
One noteworthy aspect of the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 is the price. Its Php 9990 price point significantly undercuts its competitors, making it an attractive option for consumers seeking high-quality audio experience without shelling out more cash.
For OnePlus smartphone users, the decision to purchase these earbuds becomes even easier. The seamless support and exclusive features, such as Spatial Audio, which are currently only available to OnePlus 11 users, provide a compelling reason to consider these earbuds. This integration with OnePlus devices ensures a smooth and optimized user experience, further enhancing the appeal of the OnePlus Buds Pro 2.
This device also aces the design, fit and comfortability factors, making it the earbuds ergonomically crafted to provide secure and comfortable fit. All in all, with all the factors considered, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 is a viable option for consumers seeking for satisfying audio experience.
