Skip to content
HearWiki

OnePlus Buds 3 vs OnePlus Buds 4: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the OnePlus Buds 4 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: OnePlus Buds 4 - Great overall at around $115.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

OnePlus Buds 4 leads on 4 of 7 measures.

  • OnePlus Buds 3
  • OnePlus Buds 4
HearWiki score
74
84
Sound
8.0
8.8
Noise cancelling
6.0
8.4
Battery
7.0
6.3
Calls
8.0
8.0
Value
8.0
8.5
Price (USD)
$98
$120

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

New platform

OnePlus Buds 4 (2025) against OnePlus Buds 3 (2024). The OnePlus Buds 4 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.3 and ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid.

  • Buds 32024
  • Buds 420251 yr newer
What differsBuds 3Buds 4

Platform

Bluetooth
5.3
5.4
ANC type
Hybrid
Adaptive

Level on: Top codec, Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app, Water resistance.

Specifications

Buds 3Buds 4
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$98
$120
HearWiki score
74
84
Released
2024
2025
Availability
Discontinued
Sold new
Driver
2-driver hybrid
2-driver hybrid
Driver type
hybrid
hybrid
Driver size
11 mm
11 mm
Drivers per side
2
2
Frequency response
15 Hz - 40 kHz
15 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance
16 Ω
18 Ω
Sensitivity
110 dB/mW
96.5 dB/mW
Bluetooth
5.3
5.4
Codecs
SBC, AAC, LHDC
AAC, LHDC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Latency
94 ms
47 ms
Wireless range
10 m
10 m
Battery life
10 h
11 h
Battery life (ANC on)
6.5 h
6 h
Battery incl. case
44 h
45 h
Full charge time
-
10 min
Quick charge
10 min → 7 h
10 min → 11 h
Wireless charging
No
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
hybrid
adaptive
Transparency mode
Yes
Yes
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
Yes
Yes
Wear detection
No
No
Controls
touch
touch
Voice assistant
Yes
Yes
Weight
4.8 g
9.5 g
Case weight
40.8 g
50.6 g
Water resistance
IP55
IP55
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Model code
-
OnePlus Buds 4
Microphones
6
3
Call noise reduction
-
Yes

What reviewers said

OnePlus Buds 3

The OnePlus Buds 3 are versatile true wireless earbuds that deliver lively, energetic sound and dependable call quality. They offer adaptive noise cancelling, strong multipoint connectivity, and a comfortable fit, making them a solid everyday option despite their noise cancellation not being the most powerful.

  • Pro:Energetic, engaging sound signature
  • Pro:Clear call quality with multiple microphones
  • Pro:Reliable multipoint Bluetooth connectivity
  • Con:Noise cancelling could be more effective
  • Con:Battery life per charge is modest
  • Con:No wireless charging support

OnePlus Buds 4

The OnePlus Buds 4 deliver a well-rounded true wireless experience with adaptive noise cancellation, a hybrid dual-driver setup, and support for high-resolution audio codecs like LDAC and LHDC. They offer solid call quality, a comfortable fit, and a versatile feature set that makes them a strong contender in the mid-range earbud market, despite some trade-offs in battery life and charging convenience. Their overall performance and smart ANC make them a compelling choice for everyday use.

  • Pro:Adaptive noise cancellation that adjusts to surroundings
  • Pro:Rich, detailed sound with hybrid drivers and LDAC support
  • Pro:Clear phone call quality with six microphones
  • Con:Battery life per charge is modest at around 5-6 hours
  • Con:No wireless charging support
  • Con:Touch controls may require some getting used to

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

Compare something else

Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.

New comparisonOnePlus Buds 3OnePlus Buds 4