Is the OnePlus Buds Pro 4 worth the upgrade from the OnePlus Buds 2 Pro?
Verdict
Meaningful upgrade
The OnePlus Buds Pro 4 scores 8.0 points above the OnePlus Buds 2 Pro. That's a real improvement, though not the kind you'd notice on every track. The gains are concentrated in value (7.5 to 9.0), sound (7.5 to 8.5) and calls (7.0 to 7.5). On paper: battery life 9 h to 13 h, bluetooth 5.3 to 5.4 and battery life (anc on) 6 h to 7 h. Worth checking: drivers per side goes 2 to 1. That costs $45 more, or about $6 per point of score - reasonable value for the jump. Worth doing if you're replacing anyway; harder to justify as a pure upgrade if what you have still works.
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 cancelling8.08.0
- Battery8.58.5
- Calls7.07.5
- Value7.59.0
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | Buds 2 Pro | Buds Pro 4 | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 9 h | 13 h | |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LHDC, LC3 | SBC, AAC, LHDC 5.0 | |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4 | |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 6 h | 7 h | |
| Battery incl. case | 39 h | 54 h | |
| Full charge time | 100 min | 70 min | |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 1 | |
| Wear detection | No | Yes | |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 2 h | 10 min = 11 hours playback | |
| Driver | 11mm + 6mm dual drivers | dual drivers; 11mm woofer + 6mm tweeter |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "Buds 2 Pro 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.