Is the OnePlus Buds 3 worth the upgrade from the OnePlus Buds 4?
Verdict
Downgrade
The OnePlus Buds 3 actually scores 9.4 points below the OnePlus Buds 4, so on aggregate review consensus this is a step backwards. The gains are concentrated in battery (6.3 to 7.0). You do give up ground on noise cancelling (8.4 to 6.0) and sound (8.8 to 8.0). On paper: codecs AAC, LHDC to SBC, AAC, LHDC, microphones 3 to 6 and case weight 50.6 g to 40.8 g. Worth checking: battery life goes 11 h to 10 h and bluetooth goes 5.4 to 5.3. It is at least $17 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.
- Sound8.88.0
- Noise cancelling8.46.0
- Battery6.37.0
- Calls8.08.0
- Value8.58.0
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | Buds 4 | Buds 3 | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 11 h | 10 h | |
| Codecs | AAC, LHDC | SBC, AAC, LHDC | |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.3 | |
| Latency | 47 ms | 94 ms | |
| Microphones | 3 | 6 | |
| Case weight | 50.6 g | 40.8 g | |
| ANC type | adaptive | hybrid | |
| Quick charge | 10 min → 11 h | 10 min → 7 h |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "Buds 4 to Buds 3". 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.