The Realme Buds Air 7 Pro and OnePlus Buds 3 are two of the hottest true wireless earbuds you can snag for under 100 bucks, and trust me, they’re loaded with features that punch way above their price tag—think active noise cancellation (ANC), high-res audio, and battery life that keeps going.
As someone who geeks out over audio and has spent weeks putting these buds through their paces, I’m here to give you the lowdown on how they compare.
Design and Build
Both the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro and OnePlus Buds 3 sport sleek, pocket-friendly cases that scream premium, but they take different paths.
Realme’s case uses aircraft-grade aluminum with a leather-textured finish in colors like Glory Beige, giving it a luxe, durable feel. It’s got a transparent lid, which is cool for peeking at the buds, but the pairing button’s inside, which can be a hassle.
OnePlus, on the other hand, goes for a jewelry box-style case with a matte-glossy mix in shades like Splendid Blue. It’s a touch heavier at 61g compared to Realme’s lighter build, but it feels just as high-end with a vegan leather touch.
They both share IP55-rated earbuds, so sweat and light splashes during workouts are no issue.
Realme’s case lacks an IP rating, while OnePlus offers IPX4 splash resistance for the case.
When it comes to opening the case, OnePlus requires two hands, which feels a bit clunky, whereas Realme’s magnets are strong but still need a two-handed nudge.
Comfort-wise, Realme’s ergonomic stem design and multiple eartip sizes deliver a snugger, more secure fit for long sessions.
OnePlus isn’t far behind, but its fit feels slightly less locked-in during intense movement.
Winner: Realme edges out for its aluminum build and comfier fit, but OnePlus holds its own with a stylish, splash-resistant case.
Connectivity
Both earbuds make pairing a breeze with Google Fast Pair, popping up a card on your Android phone as soon as you open the case.
They also support dual-device pairing, letting you switch between your phone and laptop without a hitch.
The big difference lies in Bluetooth versions: Realme rocks Bluetooth 5.4, which keeps connections rock-solid even when you wander far from your device.
OnePlus, with Bluetooth 5.3, is no slouch but occasionally stutters at longer ranges.
In comparison, Realme’s newer Bluetooth tech makes it the champ for stability, especially in crowded areas.
Both have companion apps—Realme Link and HeyMelody—that integrate seamlessly with Realme or OnePlus phones, embedding controls in the system’s Bluetooth settings.
If you’re using a non-branded phone, the apps still offer plenty of tweaks, but Realme’s app feels a bit more polished with extras like auto-answer call detection.
Winner: Realme takes it for stronger connectivity and a slicker app experience.
Controls
They both rely on tap-based controls, but OnePlus adds a killer feature: volume control via swipes on the stem.
You can slide up or down to adjust volume, a rarity at this price range. Its control scheme includes single-tap for play/pause, double-tap and triple-tap for track changes, and touch-and-hold for ANC/transparency mode switching.
Realme skips the single-tap, using double-tap for play/pause, triple-tap for tracks, and touch-and-hold for modes. Realme’s flat stem design makes taps more responsive, but the lack of volume control is a bummer.
Both offer in-ear detection, pausing music when you remove a bud, which works flawlessly.
OnePlus throws in a unique perk for OnePlus phone users: camera control via bud taps to snap photos.
Realme counters with Golden Sound mode, which tunes audio to your hearing profile, and an earbud fit test.
They share customizable controls via their apps, but OnePlus’s swipe feature feels more intuitive for daily use.
Winner: OnePlus wins for its volume control and versatile gestures.
Sound Quality
They both pack dual drivers—Realme with an 11mm woofer and 6mm tweeter, OnePlus with a 10.4mm woofer and 6mm tweeter—and support LHDC 5.0 for hi-res audio.
But their sound signatures diverge. Realme leans into a bass-heavy sound, in contrast, OnePlus delivers a more balanced sound with tighter bass, clearer mids, and decent treble.
Both offer spatial audio, but it feels gimmicky, nowhere near a true Dolby Atmos setup.
The HeyMelody app’s EQ presets and 6-band custom EQ give OnePlus more flexibility for sound tweaking.
Winner: OnePlus for its balanced audio and better detail retrieval across genres.
ANC and Transparency
Both earbuds bring strong active noise cancellation (ANC) to the table, but Realme pulls ahead with 53dB ANC, which is nearly premium-tier, muting low-frequency noises like traffic or fans with ease. High-pitched sounds like chatter are softened but not fully blocked.
OnePlus’s 48dB ANC is solid, tackling low-end noise well, but it’s a step behind Realme in intensity. When it comes to transparency mode, OnePlus shines with clearer, more natural ambient sound, making conversations easier without removing the buds.
Realme’s transparency mode is decent but muddier, especially with music playing.
Winner: Realme for superior ANC, but OnePlus takes transparency mode.
Microphone
They both use multiple mics—six on Realme, three per bud on OnePlus—with environmental noise cancellation for calls.
Realme’s mics are louder and better at cutting out background noise like traffic or wind, though the voice can sound slightly processed.
OnePlus does well in quiet settings but picks up more ambient noise on the move, with occasional crackles in windy conditions.
In real-world tests, Realme’s calls were consistently clearer, especially in noisy environments.
Winner: Realme for louder, cleaner mics in tough conditions.
Battery Life
Both offer impressive battery life, but Realme pulls ahead. With a 530mAh case and 62mAh per bud, Realme delivers 6.5 hours with ANC on (AAC codec, 70% volume) and up to 48 hours total with the case.
OnePlus, with a 520mAh case and 58mAh per bud, manages 5 hours with ANC and 44 hours total. Realme lacks wireless charging, while OnePlus supports it, offering 13 hours from a 10-minute charge.
Both have fast USB-C charging, but Realme’s longer runtime makes it the stamina king.
Winner: Realme for longer playback, though OnePlus’s wireless charging is a nice perk.
Gaming Latency
For gamers, latency is make-or-break. Realme’s 45ms low-latency mode is lightning-fast, ensuring no noticeable lag in games like PUBG Mobile.
OnePlus’s 94ms latency is decent but shows slight delays, especially on non-OnePlus devices.
They both have dedicated gaming modes via their apps, but Realme’s near-instant sync gives it a clear edge.
Winner: Realme for blazing-fast gaming performance.
Price and Availability
Both the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro and OnePlus Buds 3 are priced competitively, making them solid picks for budget-conscious buyers.
The Realme Buds Air 7 Pro retails at $59–$65 USD or €55–€61 EUR, with a special launch (~$59 USD, ~€55 EUR).
The OnePlus Buds 3 also sit at (~$65 USD, ~€61 EUR) but often drop to around (~$53 USD, ~€50 EUR)
Realme Buds Air 7 Pro vs OnePlus Buds 3: Specs Comparison
| Feature | Realme Buds Air 7 Pro | OnePlus Buds 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | 12.4mm dynamic bass driver | 10.4mm woofer + 6mm tweeter |
| Audio Codecs | LHDC 5.0, AAC, SBC | LHDC 5.0, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) | Up to 52dB | Up to 48dB |
| Microphones | 6 (3 per earbud) | 6 (3 per earbud) |
| Battery Life (Earbuds, ANC On) | 6.5 hours | 5 hours |
| Battery Life (With Case, ANC On) | Up to 48 hours | Up to 44 hours |
| Battery Capacity | 480mAh (case), 62mAh (per earbud) | 520mAh (case), 58mAh (per earbud) |
| Charging | USB-C, Fast Charging (120 min full charge) | USB-C, Fast Charging, Wireless Charging (10 min for 13 hours) |
| IP Rating | IP55 (earbuds only) | IP55 (earbuds), IPX4 (case) |
| Latency (Gaming Mode) | 45ms | 94ms |
| Controls | Tap (double, triple, touch-and-hold), customizable via Realme Link | Tap (single, double, triple), Swipe (volume), customizable via HeyMelody |
| Companion App | Realme Link (EQ, Golden Sound, fit test, auto-answer) | HeyMelody (EQ, camera control for OnePlus phones) |
| Additional Features | Google Fast Pair, Dual Device Connection, 360° Spatial Audio, In-Ear Detection | Google Fast Pair, Dual Device Connection, 360° Spatial Audio, In-Ear Detection |
| Weight | 46g (case), 4.7g (per earbud) | 61g (case), 4.8g (per earbud) |
| Colors | Fiery Red, Racing Green, Glory Beige, and Metallic Gray | Splendid Blue, Metallic Gray |
The Final Call
They both deliver big in the budget segment, but your choice boils down to priorities:
Pick Realme Buds Air 7 Pro if you want top-notch ANC, long battery life, clear mics, and gaming prowess. It’s the go-to for commuters, gamers, or anyone needing reliable calls in noisy places. The premium build and feature-packed app sweeten the deal.
Pick OnePlus Buds 3 if sound quality and control versatility are your jam. Its balanced audio, swipe-based volume control, and clear transparency mode make it ideal for music lovers and those who value ease of use. Wireless charging is a bonus.
Best Deals:
Realme Buds Air7 Pro: View on AliExpress
OnePlus Buds 3: View on AliExpress
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Nick, the Co-founder of Earbuds Arena, is a seasoned freelance tech journalist with over ten years of experience covering wearables, apps, headphones, and gadgets. When he’s not immersed in the tech world, you’ll likely find him unwinding with video games, going for a run, or enjoying a game of soccer on the field.
