OnePlus Buds 4 Review: Class-Leading ANC in a Mid-Range Package – But at What Cost to Sound?

The OnePlus Buds 4 have officially joined the brand’s audio lineup as the latest in its mainline series, sitting just below the Buds Pro 3 in price but borrowing heavily from their premium DNA. Priced at €119/₹5,999, the Buds 4 promise standout features like dual drivers, dual DACs, LHDC 5.0 support, and up to 55dB of noise cancellation, but do they truly deliver across the board?

Design & Comfort: Inspired by Pro, Refined for Everyday

The OnePlus Buds 4 carry a familiar design language, blending aesthetics from the Buds Pro 3 and Nord series. The matte metallic case looks sleek but is somewhat slippery, and the earbuds sport thicker stalks for easier handling. New deeper-fit silicone ear tips enhance passive isolation, though some users may find the in-ear pressure a bit much for long sessions.

They also offer IP55 dust and water resistance, making them great for workouts or rainy commutes.

Audio Performance: A Step Back in Tuning

OnePlus added an 11mm woofer + 6mm tweeter dual-driver setup with a dual DAC system, along with support for LHDC 5.0, AAC, and SBC over Bluetooth 5.4.

Unfortunately, despite the premium specs, audio quality disappoints. The Buds 4 are overwhelmingly bass-heavy, muddying the mids and dulling the highs. While treble harshness seen in earlier models is gone, so is clarity and sparkle.

The Sound Master EQ helps a little, but not enough to redeem the overall dark and boomy sound signature. Audio purists will likely be frustrated, though casual listeners might find them passable for on-the-go use.

Microphone & Call Quality

Call performance is solid, with clear voice pickup and decent noise suppression. However, Bluetooth LE Audio is absent, limiting voice chat clarity in games and online calls.

Noise Cancellation: The Star of the Show

If there’s one reason to buy the OnePlus Buds 4, it’s the exceptional ANC. With up to 55dB of noise cancellation and a new adaptive mode, these buds rival—even outperform—many flagship models. The tight ear seal, plus active noise reduction, makes them an ideal companion for commuting, flights, or noisy environments.

The transparency mode is equally impressive, letting in ambient sound so naturally that you may forget you’re wearing earbuds.

Battery Life & Charging

Up to 11 hours (AAC) or 8.5 hours (LHDC) without ANC

6–5.5 hours with ANC enabled

Charging case adds up to 45 hours total playback

No wireless charging – USB-C only

Battery life meets expectations, and quick top-ups help make these a practical daily option.

Connectivity & LHDC Limitations

The Buds 4 support multi-device pairing, 47ms low latency (OnePlus phones), and stable Bluetooth performance. However, LHDC 5.0 performance is capped on OnePlus phones, rarely reaching the advertised 1Mbps bitrate unless paired with better-optimized devices like the Nothing Phone (2). Also, enabling high-res output requires manual developer settings changes—far from user-friendly.

Verdict: Incredible ANC, Average Sound

The OnePlus Buds 4 are not the most well-rounded wireless earbuds on the market—but they absolutely dominate in active noise cancellation. For €119, their ANC and transparency performance is unmatched in this price bracket, making them the perfect travel or commuting companion.

If sound quality is your priority, you might want to explore elsewhere or stick to the Buds Pro 3. But if your goal is to shut out the world and enjoy extended battery life, these are a top-tier choice without breaking the bank.