The market for true wireless earbuds is booming, and two big players—Realme Buds Air 7 and OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro—want to catch your eye.
Both offer great features at their price point, but which one should you go for?
I’ve compared them feature by feature clearly putting them head to head, to help you figure out which suits you best.
Realme Buds Air 7 vs OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro: Specs Comparison
| Feature | Realme Buds Air 7 | OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Design & Build | Rectangular case with transparent lid (ivory gold option), periscope-style earbuds, larger case | Compact case with matte lid and speckled bottom, periscope-style with thicker A-shaped stem |
| Connectivity | Realme Link app (Android/iOS), dual-device pairing, customizable touch gestures, wear detection, 45ms latency | Hey Melody app (Android/iOS), dual-device pairing, customizable touch gestures, wear detection, 47ms latency |
| Water Resistance | IP55 | IP55 |
| Audio Quality | 12.4mm drivers, LHDC support, extensive EQ customization | 12.4mm drivers, AAC/SBC codecs, standard EQ customization |
| Call Quality | Better wind suppression, clearer voice in noisy environments | Clear in quiet settings, less consistent in noisy environments |
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) | Up to 52dB | Up to 49dB |
| Battery Life | 52 hours total (case), 7.5 hours (ANC on), 13 hours (ANC off) per earbud | 44 hours total (ANC off), 20 hours (ANC on) with case |
Design & Build
Let’s kick things off with design and build. The Realme Buds Air 7 sport a fresh rectangular case with a funky lid that feels a bit plasticky—think budget chic. You can grab an ivory gold version if the see-through look isn’t your thing. The case is bulkier than before due to a bigger battery, but the periscope-style earbuds feel super comfy, especially for long sessions.
On the other hand, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro have a sleek, compact case with a matte lid and speckled bottom that screams premium. Their A-shaped stems are slightly thicker, and while comfy, they don’t match the Realme’s long-term comfort.
Both have an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance, so they’re equally durable but not top-tier. If you want a stylish, pocket-friendly design, OnePlus takes the lead; for comfort, Realme’s got the edge.
Connectivity & Controls
Both earbuds let you tap to play, pause, or switch modes, and you can customize these gestures, which I love for tweaking to my liking. They also have wear detection, so music pauses when you pop an earbud out—super handy.
The Realme Buds Air 7 pair with the Realme Link app, while the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro use the Hey Melody app, both working on Android and iOS. These apps let you tweak noise modes, adjust EQ, and connect to two devices at once.
For gaming, Realme claims a 45ms latency, just a hair better than OnePlus’s 47ms, but I noticed occasional lag on both during intense gameplay. Honestly, they’re neck-and-neck here—connectivity is solid across the board.
Audio Quality
Both earbuds rock 12.4mm drivers, but their sound is worlds apart. The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro are a basshead’s dream, delivering punchy lows that make EDM and hip-hop tracks thump.
Vocals shine in the mids, perfect for podcasts or acoustic tunes. But they stick to standard codecs like AAC and SBC, with no high-res support.
The Realme Buds Air 7, however, bring a brighter, more balanced sound with sparkly treble and better instrument separation—great for varied genres.
They also support LHDC, a high-res codec that’s rare at this price, and offer deep EQ customization, letting you fine-tune lows, mids, and highs.
Both stay distortion-free at max volume, but Realme’s versatility and LHDC support make them the audio champ for most listeners. If bass is your jam, though, OnePlus still slaps.
Call Quality
For call quality, Realme pulls ahead. The Buds Air 7 handle wind and background noise better, keeping your voice clear even in breezy conditions—though some ambient sounds sneak through.
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro are decent, with clear voices in quiet settings, but they’re less reliable in noisy spots. Neither rivals a smartphone’s mic, but Realme’s the better pick for calls on the go.
ANC
When it comes to active noise cancellation (ANC) and transparency mode, Realme again takes the crown. The Buds Air 7 cancel up to 52dB of noise, slightly outperforming the OnePlus’s 49dB.
Both handle low to medium-frequency noises like café hum well, but Realme’s transparency mode feels more natural, letting you hear your surroundings without that artificial vibe. OnePlus’s transparency mode works but sounds less lifelike.
If ANC and awareness matter to you, Realme’s the way to go.
Battery life
The Realme Buds Air 7 offer a jaw-dropping 52 hours of combined playback with the case—7.5 hours per earbud with ANC on, 13 hours with it off. Using LHDC might shave a bit off, but these are marathon runners. I couldn’t drain them in a week of testing!
The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro give you 44 hours total with ANC off, dropping to 20 hours with ANC on, lasting about a week with moderate use. Solid, but Realme’s battery life is next-level.
Which Should You Buy?
If you want versatile sound, top-notch battery life, strong ANC, and clear calls, the Realme Buds Air 7 are the clear winner—perfect for audiophiles and long-haul listeners.
But if you’re all about that bass, love a sleek design, or use a OnePlus phone (which vibes better with the Hey Melody app), the Nord Buds 3 Pro are still a solid choice, especially at their lower price.
Let me know in the comments which one you’re picking and why!
Best Deals:
Realme Buds Air7: View on AliExpress
OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro: View on AliExpress
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.
