OnePlus Nord Buds 2r review: pure VFM

Here's my take on the new OnePlus Nord earbuds - Buds 2r

• By Ashish Kumar -
Published On: July 5, 2023

Design and fit

• The design of the OnePlus Nord Buds 2r is similar to its elder sibling, the Nord Buds 2, with a few changes. One noticeable difference is the curved edges on the stems of the earbuds, which make them slightly more compact. The glossy circular touch control surface on the outer shell has also been reduced in size compared to the Buds 2, and the bulbous part now features a matte finish that effectively hides fingerprints.
• Aside from these changes, the Buds 2r maintains the same well-executed plastic design, IP55 water and dust resistance rating, and interchangeable silicone ear tips. In the package, you'll find three different sizes of ear tips: small, medium (pre-installed), and large. The earbuds come in a pill-shaped case with curved edges and a secure clasp. However, the case is a bit bulky, which makes it less pocket-friendly, and lacks a slit for easy access to the earbuds.

• Be that as it may, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2r offers a high level of comfort. Weighing only 4.3 grams, they have a lightweight design that ensures comfortable wearing even during extended use. Additionally, the buds provide a secure fit, allowing you to move freely without worrying about them falling off.

Features and companion app

• The OnePlus Nord Buds 2r is a budget-friendly option with some basic features such as fast pairing with OnePlus devices, dual mics with AI noise cancellation for calls, and Bluetooth v5.3, which provides low latency and a range of up to 10 meters.
• Pairing the earbuds with your devices is easy. However, they can only stay connected to one device at a time. To switch devices, you'll need to manually disconnect and pair them, which can be a bit inconvenient, as there is no pairing button on the charging case. The case only has a USB Type-C port and an LED light that indicates the battery level (green for high, orange for medium, and red for low).

• To monitor the battery status of the earbuds, you can use the HeyMelody app. It's baked in on certain OnePlus and OPPO smartphones' Bluetooth settings or can be downloaded from the app marketplace. That said, the Android version of the app is compatible with the Buds 2r, but the iOS version does not work. The app also allows you to adjust the EQ settings, enable Game mode, and customise touch controls.
• The touch controls on the OnePlus Nord Buds 2r are responsive. By default, a single tap on either earbud plays/pauses music, while double-tapping or triple-tapping changes tracks. You can personalise these touch controls to activate voice assistants, game mode, and other functions based on your preferences.

Sound quality

• The OnePlus Buds Nord 2r is equipped with 12.4mm dynamic drivers, offering a frequency range of 20Hz to 20,000Hz. It supports Dolby Atmos and features the Sound Master Equaliser (EQ). The latter provides three sound modes: Bold, Bass, and Balanced, along with customisable EQ settings. However, most users will find the default sound profile of the buds to be well-tuned and enjoyable.
• The Nord 2r prioritise the low frequencies, resulting in a powerful and prominent bass presence, while still delivering decent performance in the mid and high ranges. Vocals and various instruments are reproduced with clarity and accuracy. As a result, songs like "White Brown Black" by Avvy Sra and Karan Aujla, "Run" by OneRepublic, "Post Malone" by Sam Feldt, and more sound impressive on these earbuds.
• However, for individuals who are not avid bass enthusiasts, the mid frequencies may be perceived as slightly softer. While it is possible to make some improvements by adjusting the EQ settings, it may still leave you wanting more.

Call quality and battery life

• The call quality of the OnePlus Buds Nord 2r is good, but it is most effective in quieter environments. In moderately loud environments, you may end up repeating certain things as the AI noise cancellation feature struggle to effectively eliminate background noise.

• Coming to the battery life, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2r is rated last up to 8 hours between charges, which is mostly accurate. However, I did notice a slight drop in the buds' playtime with the calling functionality. Despite this, I found the battery life on the Buds 2r admirable. The case holds up to 38 hours of additional charge, which is sufficient enough to juice up the earbuds from 0-100 percent at least four times before it needs to be recharged again.

Verdict

Editor's rating: 4 / 5

Pros

• Comfortable fit
• Reasonably good sound
• Responsive, customisable touch controls
• Admirable battery life

Cons

• No pairing button
• Lacks wear detection
• Call quality could have been better