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OnePlus Nord Buds 2

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Specifications for OnePlus Nord Buds 2

• Dimensions:
• Earbuds: 27.5 * 21.05 * 24.4 mm
• Charging Case: 67.99 * 28.9 * 35.5 mm
• Weight:
• Earbuds: 4.7 g (± 0.2 g)
• Charging Case: 37.5 g (± 1 g)
• Drivers: 12.4 mm dynamic driver - Titanium-coated vibrating membrane
• Bass Enhancement Algorithm: BassWave® Algorithm
• Driver Sensitivity: 111 dB ± 3 dB @ 1 kHz 179mV
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz
• Microphones: 4 (2 per earbud)
• Battery:
• Playback Time (at full charge)
• Playback (AAC, 50% volume)
• ANC On: 5 hrs (earbuds) / 27 hrs (with charging case)
• ANC Off: 7 hrs (earbuds) / 36 hrs (with charging case)
• Phone Calls (AAC, 50% volume)
• ANC On: 3.5 hrs (earbuds) / 17 hrs (with charging case)
• ANC Off: 4 hrs (earbuds) / 19 hrs (with charging case)
• Fast Charging: 10 min gives 5 hrs (charging case + earbuds combined) (AAC, standard volume, ANC off)
• Cable Charging Time: 60 min (earbuds) / 90 min (earbuds + charging case)
• Battery Capacity: Per earbud: 41 mAh - Charging Case: 480 mAh
• Noise Reduction Mode: ANC On / ANC Off / Transparency Mode
• Clear Calls: Calls with AI Noise Reduction
• ANC Depth: 25 dB
• Water and Sweat Resistant: Earbuds: IP55
• Bluetooth Version: BT 5.3
• Supported Audio Formats: AAC, SBC
• Wireless Range: 10 meters

A Tour Around OnePlus Nord Buds 2.

The new version of OnePlus Nord Buds is both recognizable, but also with new design features. The charging case has roughly the same size as the previous model, but has been given more rounded shapes. This means that it is more comfortable to carry in your pocket, compared to the previous one which had significantly sharper edges.

The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 are available in two colors: Lightning White and Thunder Gray, with the latter being the version we received. The case is two-toned, with a metallic gray lid and a matte gray bottom featuring a speckled pattern.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of it. It bothers me that there are two different colors and the effect of the checkered pattern makes the case look dusty to me.

Specifications for OnePlus Nord Buds 2

• Dimensions:
• Earbuds: 27.5 * 21.05 * 24.4 mm
• Charging Case: 67.99 * 28.9 * 35.5 mm
• Weight:
• Earbuds: 4.7 g (± 0.2 g)
• Charging Case: 37.5 g (± 1 g)
• Drivers: 12.4 mm dynamic driver - Titanium-coated vibrating membrane
• Bass Enhancement Algorithm: BassWave® Algorithm
• Driver Sensitivity: 111 dB ± 3 dB @ 1 kHz 179mV
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz
• Microphones: 4 (2 per earbud)
• Battery:
• Playback Time (at full charge)
• Playback (AAC, 50% volume)
• ANC On: 5 hrs (earbuds) / 27 hrs (with charging case)
• ANC Off: 7 hrs (earbuds) / 36 hrs (with charging case)
• Phone Calls (AAC, 50% volume)
• ANC On: 3.5 hrs (earbuds) / 17 hrs (with charging case)
• ANC Off: 4 hrs (earbuds) / 19 hrs (with charging case)
• Fast Charging: 10 min gives 5 hrs (charging case + earbuds combined) (AAC, standard volume, ANC off)
• Cable Charging Time: 60 min (earbuds) / 90 min (earbuds + charging case)
• Battery Capacity: Per earbud: 41 mAh - Charging Case: 480 mAh
• Noise Reduction Mode: ANC On / ANC Off / Transparency Mode
• Clear Calls: Calls with AI Noise Reduction
• ANC Depth: 25 dB
• Water and Sweat Resistant: Earbuds: IP55
• Bluetooth Version: BT 5.3
• Supported Audio Formats: AAC, SBC
• Wireless Range: 10 meters

Exploring the OnePlus Nord Buds 2

The latest iteration of OnePlus Nord Buds has a familiar look, but with some new design features. The charging case is about the same size as the previous model, but with more rounded edges, making it more comfortable to carry in your pocket. The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 come in two colors: Lightning White and Thunder Gray. The case is two-toned, with a metallic gray lid and a matte gray bottom with a speckled pattern. The earbuds feature a USB C port on the back of the case for charging, as well as a button for pairing with new or multiple devices. The earbuds themselves look the same as the previous version, except for the new grey and patterned color on the stem and surfaces. There is a touch panel on each earbud, which has become more subtle on the new version. The earbuds are held in place by silicone tips, and a set of medium spiders is included as standard, with larger and smaller sets also available.

The accompanying software allows users to customize settings for the OnePlus Nord Buds 2. If you have a OnePlus phone, the settings are baked into the phone. For other brands, you will need to download the Hey Melody app, where the functionality is the same. The software provides the ability to check battery status and adjust settings, such as control through touch fields, ANC and transparency settings. There are also good options to customize what the touch fields can be used for, allowing users to tailor the experience to their own preferences.

I have been using the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 for a few weeks, both with the new OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite, but also with a Google Pixel 7 Pro. The connection is easy and straightforward on both phones, and has been without any issues. The advertised range of up to 10 meters is also very accurate, and I have been able to move further away without any problems. The battery life indicated by OnePlus is also very reasonable, with up to four hours of listening time without ANC, which can be extended to up to 19 hours total with the case, before needing to reach for a charger. The sound profile is very comparable to the previous version of OnePlus Nord Buds, and is supplemented by EQ options. There is a selection of pre-defined settings, along with the option to customize your own personal one. All settings are saved locally on your ear buds, so they will stay with you even if you switch to a different device. The sound can of course be changed quite a bit, based on which EQ setting you choose to use. As a starting point, it is set to the Balanced setting, which is a bit bass-heavy. Overall, it is a pleasant and well-defined soundscape that comes with the set. There is a good degree of detail in the sound, which at low to medium volume has no trace of distortion. At higher volumes, particularly the higher tones suffer from becoming a bit shrill. However, these are volume levels which I would not recommend using, so I don't really see it as a minus. The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 also offers ANC, which cannot be customized, but can only be turned on or off. It is however supplemented by a Transparency setting which brings in the sound around you.

The ANC feature of the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 may not be the best I've encountered, but it does manage to reduce some background noise, such as that found on a train, bus, or similar. It won't completely block out sound, but when combined with the passive noise reduction, it still provides a noticeable decrease.

Price

The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 can be found online for around $82.50 USD. This is on the cheaper end compared to other True Wireless sets with ANC.

Conclusion

OnePlus has created a great and budget-friendly option with the OnePlus Nord Buds 2. The addition of ANC, along with the colors and the updated design of the case, is the biggest improvement compared to the first version.

The microphone quality and sound in general is really good, especially considering the significantly lower price.

The ANC may not be the best, but it still reduces the typical transportation noise, such as what you experience in trains or similar. Which all in all is a plus.

You get a lot for your money with OnePlus Nord Buds 2. As expected, there are better earbuds on the market, but when you have to spend two or three times as much money for them, I would say that OnePlus Nord Buds 2 wins in terms of price-performance comparison.

Personally, I don't care for the new Thunder Gray color or the glossy surfaces, but in the grand scheme of things, it's minor details.

We land, as with the previous version, with a final rating of 9 and a Great Product Award, for a strong offering of True Wireless sets that are hard to find better at the price. If you don't care about ANC, however, you can save a bit and buy the cheaper OnePlus Nord Bud 1.

For around one third of the price, you can get close to an experience that is similar to the expensive sets.

Good:

• Good sound quality
• Good battery life
• Reasonable active noise cancelling
• Price 

Bad

• A bit strange choice of color
• Shiny surfaces are hard to keep clean