Is the OnePlus Buds 2 Pro worth the upgrade from the Apple AirPods Pro 3?
Verdict
Downgrade
The OnePlus Buds 2 Pro actually scores 8.0 points below the Apple AirPods Pro 3, so on aggregate review consensus this is a step backwards. The gains are concentrated in battery (8.0 to 8.5). You do give up ground on noise cancelling (9.5 to 8.0) and calls (8.5 to 7.0). On paper: battery life 8 h to 9 h, codecs SBC, AAC to SBC, AAC, LHDC, LC3 and battery incl. case 24 h to 39 h. Worth checking: battery life (anc on) goes 8 h to 6 h and wear detection goes Yes to No. It is at least $147 cheaper, so the lower score comes with a saving. Only worth it if a specific feature above matters more to you than overall quality does.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound8.57.5
- Noise cancelling9.58.0
- Battery8.08.5
- Calls8.57.0
- Value7.57.5
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | AirPods Pro 3 | Buds 2 Pro | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 8 h | 9 h | |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LHDC, LC3 | |
| Water resistance | IP57 | IP55 | |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 8 h | 6 h | |
| Battery incl. case | 24 h | 39 h | |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 | |
| Wear detection | Yes | No | |
| Quick charge | 5 minutes in case = about 1 hour listening time | 10 min = 2 h | |
| Driver | dynamic | 11mm + 6mm dual drivers | |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20 kHz | 10 Hz - 40 kHz |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "AirPods Pro 3 to Buds 2 Pro". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across true wireless and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.