OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Review Philippines - Still worth it in late 2025?

Early this year, OnePlus officially launched the Nord Buds 3 in the Philippines through Digital Walker.

Is the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 still worth it in late 2025?

At the time of release, they were marketed as affordable true wireless earbuds with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), long battery life, and powerful bass at just PHP 1,790. With many new budget earbuds appearing since then, the question is: do the Nord Buds 3 remain a solid choice in late 2025?

Unboxing/Accessories

Inside the box, you’ll get: OnePlus Nord Buds 3 with charging caseUSB-C charging cable, extra ear tips (small and large, with medium as the default set), manuals, and warranty papers.

OnePlus Nord Buds 3: What's inside

It's a minimal setup, but it covers the basics. The charging case is compact and pocketable, with a matte finish that hides fingerprints.

Build Quality/Design

The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 come in the Harmonic Gray and Melodic White colorways, the latter being our unit's color. Based on observations, the Melodic White unit tends to show dust and smudges quickly, so if you’re OC with cleanliness, you might prefer the darker Harmonic Gray option.

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 in Melodic White colorway

The Nord Buds 3 come in a sleek, pocket-friendly case with a glossy finish, which has a pill-shaped design, complete with a USB-C charging port.

The Nord Buds 3 come in a pocket-friendly case

The earbuds use a stem-style fit that’s lightweight and comfortable for long listening. They're touch-controlled, but since there’s no auto-pause when you remove them, you’ll need to manually tap to stop your music or videos. The buds are IP55-rated, meaning they can handle sweat and a bit of rain, which makes them safe for workouts or commuting.

Stem-style earbuds

Mini touch control at the back of the earbuds

Audio Impressions

Out of the box, the Nord Buds 3 lean heavily towards bass. If you love punchy beats for hip-hop, pop, or EDM, you’ll be happy.

Puchy bass for less

But if you’re into vocals, acoustic tracks, or a more balanced sound, the mids and highs can feel drowned out. Thankfully, you can tweak the EQ in the HeyMelody app to adjust it to your taste.

Set your preferences using the HeyMelody app

Noise Cancellation/Calls

The ANC is actually decent for daily use. It can cut down on background chatter, which makes music and videos easier to enjoy without distractions. It can also handle steady noises such as air conditioner hums. That said, some sharp or sudden sounds may still slip through.

The ANC is actually decent for daily use

On calls, the microphones are serviceable but not the clearest. Voices can sound a bit muffled or robotic if you’re in a noisy area, so it’s best for casual conversations rather than long work meetings.

Battery Life

OnePlus claims up to 36 hours of total playback with the case and 7 hours per charge on the buds (without ANC). Based on our experience, it took us about 12 hours of playback on a single charge. So in practice, it’s enough to get you through a workday and then a workout after.

A quick 10-minute charge also gives several hours of listening, which can come quite handy if you’re rushing out.

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 quick specs, features

• 12.4mm dynamic driver, Titanized diaphragm
• ANC (up to 32dB)
• 2x microphones per earbud
• 58mAh per earbud, 440mAh charging case
• Fast charging
• Works with Android, iOS
• Bluetooth 5.4 (AAC, SBC codecs)
• IP55 dust and water resistance
• Harmonic Gray, Melodic White colors
• 29.99 x 23.87 x 20.30 mm per earbud, 66.60 x 51.24 x 24.83 with case
• 4.2 grams per earbud, 46.2 grams with case
• PHP 1,790 SRP

Verdict

Still worth it in late 2025?

At just PHP 1,790 available in Digital Walker, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 remain a solid option even in late 2025. They deliver stylish looks, reliable battery life, and ANC that's surprisingly effective for everyday use. The sound leans bass-heavy, which will excite beat lovers but may feel overpowering if you prefer cleaner mids and highs.

Will you get the OnePlus Nord Buds 3?

Of course, there are compromises: no auto-pause when removing them, average mic quality for calls, and a sound profile tuned more for bass than balance. But considering the price hasn’t changed since launch, those trade-offs are forgivable.

So, are they still worth it in late 2025? The quick answer is YES.

If you want affordable earbuds with big bass and decent ANC for everyday use, or if you're looking for a nice gift to give out this coming holiday season, the Nord Buds 3 still hold up well months after release.