Is the OnePlus Buds Pro 4 worth the upgrade from the Nothing Ear?
Verdict
Clear upgrade
Going from the Nothing Ear to the OnePlus Buds Pro 4 buys you 12.0 points of HearWiki score - a clear step up that reviewers agree on rather than a marketing refresh. The gains are concentrated in value (7.5 to 9.0), sound (7.5 to 8.5) and noise cancelling (7.0 to 8.0). On paper: battery life 8.5 h to 13 h, bluetooth 5.3 to 5.4 and battery incl. case 40.5 h to 45 h. Worth checking: codecs goes SBC, AAC, LDAC, LHDC 5.0 to SBC, AAC, LHDC 5.0 and microphones goes 6 to 3. That costs $21 more, or about $2 per point of score - reasonable value for the jump. If your current pair is worn out or the gains line up with how you listen, this one is worth the money.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound7.58.5
- Noise cancelling7.08.0
- Battery7.58.5
- Calls7.07.5
- Value7.59.0
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | Ear | Buds Pro 4 | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 8.5 h | 13 h | |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LHDC 5.0 | SBC, AAC, LHDC 5.0 | |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4 | |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IP55 | |
| Battery incl. case | 40.5 h | 45 h | |
| Microphones | 6 | 3 | |
| ANC type | hybrid | adaptive | |
| Quick charge | 10 minutes for 10 hours | 10 min = 11 hours playback | |
| Controls | buttons | touch | |
| Driver | dynamic | dual drivers; 11mm woofer + 6mm tweeter | |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz | 10Hz-40kHz |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "Ear to Buds Pro 4". 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.