OnePlus Buds Pro 2R Review: Are They Worth It?

The OnePlus Buds Pro 2R is the latest addition to the company's wireless earbuds lineup, offering a premium listening experience for audiophiles on-the-go. With an updated design and a host of new features, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2R aims to compete with the likes of Apple AirPods Pro and Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. In this review, we'll take a closer look at the OnePlus Buds Pro 2R to see if they're worth your hard-earned money.

Design and Build Quality 

One of the first things you'll notice about the OnePlus Buds Pro 2R is the design. The earbuds themselves are small and sleek, with a glossy finish that looks premium. The ear tips are made of silicone and come in three different sizes to ensure a comfortable fit for any ear size. The earbuds also have touch controls that allow you to control playback, adjust volume, and even activate your phone's voice assistant. 

The charging case is also well-designed, with a matte finish that feels nice to the touch. The case has a USB-C port for charging, which is great for those who want to keep their charging cables to a minimum. The case also has a battery indicator on the front that lets you know when the earbuds are charging and when they're fully charged. 

In terms of build quality, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2R feel solid and well-made. The earbuds themselves are made of plastic, but they don't feel cheap or flimsy. The charging case also feels sturdy and well-built, and it's easy to open and close without feeling like it's going to break. 

Sound Quality 

Of course, the most important aspect of any pair of earbuds is the sound quality. The OnePlus Buds Pro 2R boasts a 10mm dynamic driver and supports Dolby Atmos and the LHDC audio codec. This means that the earbuds are capable of delivering high-quality audio with a wide soundstage and crisp, clear sound.

 In practice, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2R sound great. The bass is punchy and impactful, without overwhelming the mids and highs. The mids are clear and detailed, and the highs are bright and airy. The soundstage is also impressive, with instruments and vocals sounding like they're coming from all around you. 

The earbuds also have three different sound modes to choose from: Bass Boost, Dynamic, and Clear. Bass Boost enhances the bass frequencies, Dynamic provides a balanced sound, and Clear boosts the mid and high frequencies for a more detailed sound. The sound modes are easy to switch between using the touch controls on the earbuds, making it easy to find the perfect sound for your music. 

Noise Cancelling and Transparency Mode 

The OnePlus Buds Pro 2R also feature active noise cancelling (ANC) and transparency mode. ANC uses microphones to cancel out external noise, allowing you to focus on your music or phone call without distractions. Transparency mode, on the other hand, uses the same microphones to let in external noise, making it easier to hear your surroundings without taking off the earbuds. 

In terms of ANC performance, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2artificial. It does a good job of letting in external noise while still keeping your music audible, but it doesn't quite sound like natural hearing. However, this is a minor nitpick, and most people will likely appreciate having transparency mode available when they need it. 

Battery Life and Connectivity 

The OnePlus Buds Pro 2R have a claimed battery life of up to 7 hours on a single charge with ANC off, and up to 5 hours with ANC on. The charging case can provide an additional 28 hours of battery life, which is great for on-the-go listening. The earbuds also support fast charging, allowing you to get up to 10 hours of playback time with just 10 minutes of charging. 

In terms of connectivity, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2R use Bluetooth 5.2 and support the AAC and SBC audio codecs. They also feature OnePlus' Fast Pair technology, which makes it easy to pair the earbuds with your phone. Once paired, the earbuds maintain a stable connection and rarely drop out or stutter. 

One downside to the OnePlus Buds Pro 2R is that they only support one device at a time. This means that if you want to switch between your phone and your laptop, for example, you'll need to manually disconnect and reconnect the earbuds each time. 

Price and Competition 

The OnePlus Buds Pro 2R are priced at $149, which puts them in direct competition with other premium wireless earbuds like the Apple AirPods Pro and the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. While the OnePlus Buds Pro 2R don't quite match the performance of these top-tier earbuds, they're still an excellent option for those who want high-quality sound and features at a more affordable price point.

 

Conclusion 

Overall, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2R are an impressive pair of wireless earbuds that offer great sound quality and features at a reasonable price point. The design and build quality are excellent, and the earbuds are comfortable to wear for extended periods. The sound quality is also top-notch, with a wide soundstage and clear, detailed audio. While the ANC and transparency modes aren't quite as good as some other earbuds in this price range, they're still effective and useful.