OnePlus has been diversifying its product line to cater to its user base’s smartphone and audio needs. The brand’s Nord Buds 2 are the latest addition to their audio lineup, catering to the budget TWS earbud segment. The original Nord Buds offered quality performance at an affordable price of Rs 2,799. The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 has been launched at Rs 2,999, with the addition of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) being a significant upgrade.
The earbuds’ design is identical to its predecessor with a basic plastic build and matte finish on the stem, with a glossy disk on the surface for touch controls. The bulbous part of the earbud is also glossy, and the earbuds have silicone ear tips that come in different sizes. The charging case is still pill-shaped, but the edges are curved for better grip, making it easier to carry around. The Nord Buds 2 earbuds are 4.7 grams, which is lighter than its predecessor, providing a comfortable listening experience for extended periods. It also has an IP55 rating for water and dust resistance.
The Nord Buds 2 has 12.4mm Titanium drivers that prioritize bass in its sound profile, providing prominent thumping bass that complements most music genres. What sets the Nord Buds 2 apart from other bass-heavy TWS earbuds in this category is its balance between bass and vocals and lighter instruments. The result is a refined audio experience without compromising the clarity and detail of other music elements. Users can also tweak the EQ settings with the HeyMelody app.
The addition of ANC is the biggest upgrade, providing 25dB of noise reduction at a price under Rs 5,000. It reduces construction-work drilling and hammering noise and can block out conversations and environmental sounds. However, the ANC won’t provide an outstanding performance but works well enough for concentrated listening.
The earbuds support Bluetooth 5.3 and the default SBC and audio codecs, with the HeyMelody app allowing customization of the touch controls. Call quality is average, with a lack of clarity in audio quality during calls.
Each earbud has a battery life of up to 7 hours with ANC off, which drops to around 5 hours with ANC enabled. The battery life is impressive, and the case can provide 2 to 3 full charges. Additionally, 5 minutes of charging time can provide 5 hours of battery life.
