OnePlus Buds Pro 2: Introducing spatial audio to the world of Android

With the disappearance of the 3.5mm headphone jack, Bluetooth audio has become a necessity for smartphone users, making the original OnePlus Buds Pro a luxury in July 2021. Now, with the launch of the new OnePlus Buds Pro 2 true wireless stereo headphones, users have the additional advantage of the spatial audio, which positions them as an Android alternative to the Apple AirPods Pro.

The Buds Pro 2 also come with an app for both Android and iOS, making them truly cross-platform, which is another advantage. OnePlus has adopted the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy, keeping the design of the Buds Pro 2 similar to their predecessors, but with slight tweaks. They are lightweight and pocketable, with an IP55 water-resistance rating for the earbuds and an IPX4 rating for the case.

Thanks to their more compact design and lower price point, the Buds Pro 2 can compete with Apple’s AirPods Pro.

Top-notch comfort

I found the Buds Pro 2 to be the most comfortable stem-design earbuds, whether I was sitting at my desk or riding my bicycle. Even when a car nearly caused me to fall off my bike, the earbuds remained firmly in place, which was impressive. The earbuds come with three sizes of ear tips to ensure a good fit.

The case of the Buds Pro 2 is constructed from robust matte plastic and features a USB-C port at the back, and it also offers wireless charging, which is a feature that is absent on their flagship OnePlus 11 5G smartphone. The earbuds are available in “Obsidian Black” and “Arbor Green” color options.

The Buds Pro 2 feature squeeze controls that are relatively easy to use once you become familiar with them. However, they lack swipe gestures on the stem, which means that the volume cannot be adjusted via the earbuds.

Spatial audio

Spatial audio provides an immersive, 360-degree sound experience by placing “audio objects” in 3D space and enabling them to move with the listener. It creates a virtual surround sound effect that gives the illusion of sound originating from several audio sources.

To experience spatial audio on the Buds Pro 2, you must pair them with a OnePlus 11 device. However, the smart move on OnePlus’ part is that the Buds Pro 2’s spatial audio is not limited to OnePlus devices like Apple’s AirPods Pro. The HeyMelody app by Oppo allows users to enjoy spatial audio on any Android smartphone or tablet. This feature is currently unavailable at launch.

When you activate spatial audio on the Buds Pro 2, you’ll notice that the sound appears to come from a greater distance. The sound signature is more intricate, but the tuning leaves something to be desired. OnePlus seems to have intentionally increased the sound signature to encourage people to switch to spatial audio. However, Apple has done a better job with tuning the sound.

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There are two spatial audio settings available: the standard spatial audio and a head tracking option. OnePlus can monitor actual head movements using a custom inertial measurement unit, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and an accelerometer. This simulates the ambiance of a concert or live performance that changes as you move your head.

Currently, spatial audio is more effective when watching movies than when listening to music. It tends to alter the bass too much when listening to songs. Spatial audio is more precise on Apple’s iPhone, thanks to the more refined tuning. Even the slightest of movements with the AirPods Pro produces extremely accurate spatial audio. When I compared my experience of watching YouTube videos on my OnePlus 11 and iPhone 14, the latter was far better.

One disadvantage of the Buds Pro 2 is that moving the phone away from the center of your field of view can mute one of the earbuds.

Sound quality

In general, the Buds Pro 2 offer decent sound quality, albeit slightly warmer (less emphasis on bass and harsh tones). While using Spotify and Apple Music with the same settings on both the OnePlus 11 and iPhone 14, I noticed that the iPhone delivered stronger bass, clearer vocals, and a wider soundstage.

Unfortunately, the ANC (active noise cancellation) on the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 falls short. It struggled to block out noise in a Metro station and other earbuds in the same price range offer better ANC. However, the transparency mode performs better, providing a good balance between outside noise and music.

Worth the price tag?

Battery life and charging are not discussed as OnePlus has consistently excelled in these areas since the beginning. The Buds Pro 2 boasts an impressive battery life of over seven hours on a single charge, making them a top performer in this regard. Their spatial audio feature enhances the movie-watching experience and is another strong point for these earbuds. Overall, the audio quality is pretty good with a notable emphasis on bass, exceeding that of AirPods Pro.

Dynaudio has done an excellent job of bringing the Buds Pro 2 to life, and they are a joy to listen to, especially if you prefer punchy bass. These earbuds are lightweight, pocketable, comfortable to wear, and compatible with multiple devices.

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However, other earbuds like the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro, Google Pixel Buds Pro, Apple AirPods Pro, and Sony’s WF-1000XM4 offer much better ANC, superior sound tuning, and similar or better battery life. Sony and Apple’s earbuds tend to be on the pricier side. The Buds Pro 2 cost ₹11,999, and OnePlus must do more to stand out in the face of such fierce competition.

If you desire a stem design, own a OnePlus smartphone, or value spatial audio and cross-device compatibility, the Buds Pro 2 may be the right choice for you. Otherwise, it may be worth looking elsewhere.

Here are the specifications for the OnePlus Buds Pro 2: