OnePlus Buds Pro 4 wishlist: All the features I want to see

There’s no denying Sony, Apple, and Samsung dominate the earbuds market. However, those willing to search around can attain a feature set similar to big-name brands for a fraction of the price. I tested the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 last year and was surprised by their decent sound quality, strong noise canceling, and comfortable fit. Sure, they don’t enjoy all the bells and whistles of their flagship rivals. However, given they retail for significantly less than the competition, there is plenty to love about them. It is little wonder that others and I are excited about the updated OnePlus Buds Pro 4.

Unfortunately, OnePlus has not made an official announcement about its next-gen earbuds. While we wait for details, here are all the improvements I want to see when the OnePluds Buds Pro 4 come to fruition.

Conversational Awareness

Perhaps I’m in the minority, but I find it immensely awkward when a stranger asks me for directions on the metro and I end up fumbling around with my earbuds to reply. Thankfully, many earbud brands now include smart features to mitigate such embarrassing interactions. For example, some Sony earbuds have the aptly named Speak-To-Chat feature that automatically pauses your music when you start speaking. Samsung and Apple provide respective services called Conversation Mode and Conversation Awareness.

Unfortunately, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 do not enjoy an intelligent voice-detection feature. Okay, you can squeeze the stem once to pause your music and squeeze and hold to activate transparency mode. However, when I try fiddling around with the earbuds to do this in real-time, the person I’m replying to often assumes I can’t hear them. In truth, I end up frustrating myself and taking the earbuds out entirely in these circumstances. The Oneplus Buds Pro 4 could resolve this issue by supporting a Conversational Awareness feature.

Improved transparency mode

I relish blocking out intrusive sounds by switching active noise canceling (ANC) to the highest strength when out and about. That said, I’ve been using transparency mode a lot lately. For example, I often pause my music and enable my earbuds’ transparency mode feature before crossing busy streets in central London. This helps me listen out for hybrid and electric cars that emit very little noise. It is also handy for listening out for cyclists and for hearing announcements when approaching metro stations.

The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 have excellent noise canceling, attenuating distracting sounds from engines, passing chatter, and building works. However, the earbuds’ transparency mode feature sounds mediocre compared to the competition. For example, Apple’s new Powerbeats Pro 2 deliver realistic-sounding audio transparency that sounds pretty much the same as not wearing the earbuds. Counterwise, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3’s passthrough mode does less well at making speech intelligible. The OnePlus Buds Pro 4 would benefit from a better-sounding transparency mode than their predecessor.

A longer USB-C charging cable

Headphone charging has changed a lot in a very short period. For example, all small consumer electronic devices sold in the EU from December 28, 2024, must support USB-C charging. This has forced Apple to replace its proprietary Lightning ports on the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Max with USB-C. Wireless charging is also commonplace nowadays, with many earbud cases able to charge atop Qi wireless charging mats.

The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 ship with an IPX4-rated USB-C charging case that can be boosted wirelessly. Doing so requires the case to be placed counter-intuitively logo side down on a compatible charging mat. However, more frustrating is that those who prefer topping up with wires must use the comedically short USB-C to USB-A cable inside the packaging. While this is fine for older chargers, it is not practical and does not work with newer chargers like the one that shipped with my OnePlus 9 Pro smartphone. The OnePlus Buds Pro 4 should include a longer USB-C to USB-C charging cable at launch.

Improved volume controls

Most people prefer controlling their audio directly from their earbuds and headphones. This minimizes the need to fumble around with companion apps or phone settings to execute common earbud functions. Some earbuds, like the Sony WF-1000XM5, benefit from a list of handy controls. For example, single, double, triple, or quadruple tapping the WF-1000XM5 can activate ANC, play/pause music, skip songs, adjust volume, or gain Quick Access. Downloading Sony’s Headphones Connect app allows full control customization.

Similarly, downloading OnePlus’s HeyMelody app is vital for customizing the Buds Pro 3’s controls. The only snag is that you cannot adjust the parameters for single-tap functions. Nevertheless, you’d be forgiven for thinking that OnePlus vastly improved the controls of the Buds Pro 3. For example, their predecessor did not feature a volume slider. Unfortunately, the one on the Buds Pro 3 is located in an awkward position along the front of the earbuds stem. This makes it difficult to adjust the volume while on the move and often leads to random poking around the ear. The OnePlus Buds Pro 4 will need a new volume control system to appease workout enthusiasts.

A revamped design

When it comes to earbuds, one size cannot fit all. Each of us has different ear shapes and sizes, and that’s before we consider people’s unique tastes and design preferences. For example, many athletes prefer earbuds like the wing-tipped Beats Fit Pro. Over-ear or bone-conduction headphones best serve those who lament objects in their ear. Many enjoy stemmed designs like the AirPods Pro 2, while others prioritize stemless builds like the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live.

While I am partial to a sleek-looking gloss finish, the Buds Pro 3 are an undeniable grime magnet. Something as simple as retrieving the buds from the charging case renders fingerprints and skin oils unavoidable. The black matte housing at the top of the buds is aesthetically pleasing, but it shows up lint and other debris remarkably easily. I also find the included black ear tips detail skin oils from the ear more prominently than competitive brands. The OnePlus Buds Pro 4 should ship in more colorways with a less glossy exterior than their predecessor.

Will there be a OnePlus Buds Pro 4?

OnePlus remains invested in its earbuds category. For example, the company released the OnePlus Buds 3, Buds Pro 3, and Nord Buds 3 Pro in 2024. The last is the company’s budget-friendly option, profiting Bluetooth 5.4, five hours of battery life, and a robust IP55 water- and dust-resistant rating. Alternatively, OnePlus claims the Buds 3 deliver near-identical battery life, 49dB of noise canceling, and its proprietary high-res LHDC Bluetooth codec.

So far there have been no official details about OnePlus’s next-gen earbuds, and rumors are sparse at the time of writing. However, we can gauge an approximate launch date from the company’s previous release schedule.

• OnePlus Buds Pro — September 1, 2021
• OnePlus Buds Pro 2 — February 7, 2023
• OnePlus Buds Pro 3 — August 20, 2024

For example, the original OnePlus Buds Pro came to market on September 1, 2021. The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 followed one year and five months later on February 7, 2023. The company’s latest Buds Pro 3 launched one year and six months later on August 20, 2024. Given that OnePlus refreshes its Pro-series earbuds approximately every 18 months, we can expect the Buds Pro 4 to materialize in Spring 2026.

Should you wait for the OnePlus Buds Pro 4?

The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 are a compelling alternative to more expensive high-end brands. Those willing to stray off the beaten track can purchase them from major retailers like Amazon. Given the Buds Pro 4 are roughly one year away, I recommend purchasing the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 instead of waiting for their successor.

Grabbing the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 ($199 at OnePlus) awards a comfortable listening experience, an IP55-resistant build, and up to six hours of ANC-enabled listening time per charge. The case can be topped up on a compatible wireless mat, and the buds yield 13 hours of playback time from a 10-minute fast charge. Noise canceling is excellent, and the earbuds deliver pleasing sound quality with ample oomph in the bass. Downloading the HeyMelody companion app unlocks many of the earbuds’ best features. For example, you can hone your sound with the built-in 6-band custom EQ or chill out to five Zen Mode Air ambient tracks. The earbuds support spatial audio with head tracking, in-ear detection, and Bluetooth multipoint for those sporting several devices. Connections are made wirelessly over Bluetooth 5.4, and compatible smartphones can use the high-res LHDC codec. There are pitfalls, but the comparatively cheap price tag sweetens the deal.

Bargain hunters wanting the best price-to-feature ratio should snatch the EarFun Air Pro 4 ($89.99 at Amazon.) Unlike the OnePlus Buds Pro 3, these earbuds connect via Bluetooth 5.4 over the SBC, AAC, LDAC, and aptX Lossless codecs. The last is more widely supported on Android smartphones than OnePlus’s proprietary LHDC. It also delivers up to 1200kbps, 24-bit/ 96kHz audio sampling. The buds support Google Fast Pair and Bluetooth multipoint, and the case can be charged wirelessly atop a Qi charging mat. Battery life lasts nearly nine hours, and the case provides extra charge cycles for 41 hours of total playback time. Noise canceling attenuates external noises by an average of 75%, and the earbuds’ frequency response closely follows our target preference curve. Downloading the EarFun Audio app unlocks ambient sound modes, low-latency gaming mode, Find headphones, 30 EQ presets, and a 10-band custom EQ.

Those wanting the best active noise canceling capabilities should grab the Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 ($279.99 at Amazon.) Making sub-bass frequencies sound almost 45dB quieter than without ANC, these earbuds have some of the best noise canceling of any earbuds we’ve tested so far. They also enjoy an IP57 rating that makes them an excellent companion at the gym. The Elite 10 Gen 2 are exceptionally comfortable thanks to their ovoid nozzles and even include sounds to fall asleep to. The earbuds connect via Bluetooth 5.3 over the SBC, AAC, and LC3 codecs. However, those with analog audio devices can hook up to the USB-C charging port. This then works as a transmitter, broadcasting your audio wirelessly via LC3 to the earbuds. The sound quality is pleasing, and downloading the Jabra Sound+ app awards a list of handy EQ presets, Dolby Atmos surround sound, and Bluetooth multipoint.

There is no better alternative for your iPhone than the AirPods Pro 2 ($189.99 at Amazon.) While significantly more expensive than the OnePlus Buds Pro 3, the AirPods Pro 2 integrate seamlessly with iOS devices. For example, the earbuds will be recognized automatically by any source device associated with your iCloud account once paired. This includes Apple’s Find My app and automatic switching between Apple devices. The AirPods Pro 2 are considered the industry blueprint regarding design and comfort. They also ship with XS ear tips to help those with smaller ears achieve a robust seal. The earbuds’ exterior and charging case are IPX4-rated, and the battery life lasts nearly six hours. Models sold after September 22, 2023, support USB-C charging. This is in addition to MagSafe, Wireless, and Apple Watch-compatible charging.

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