Finally, I got my hands on the new Oppo Enco Buds 3 Pro and tested them out properly. Now, the first question that comes in mind – with a price tag around ₹1500, are these the best budget earbuds you can buy right now? Well, the answer is not that simple. Because in this same price range, we already have three very solid options – Realme T200, CMF Buds 2a, and Moto Buds Bass.
All three of them already offer really good sound quality, plus they come loaded with features like Hi-Res Audio and even ANC support. So in comparison with these, is it really worth buying the new Oppo Enco Buds 3 Pro? Let’s find out in this review.
OPPO Enco Buds 3 Specifications
Design & Build
The first thing I noticed is that the design and build quality of these earbuds is actually quite good. Look wise, they feel very similar to the Realme T200 or even the T310, but of course the Oppo Enco Buds 3 Pro comes at a little cheaper price. Build is not at that premium level, but honestly for ₹1500 it’s more than good enough. You don’t really have to worry much about durability here.
I tested the White color variant, which comes with a shiny finish. There’s also a Black color option with a matte finish, but honestly I’ll recommend going for the White one. The reason is simple – matte finish catches dust and scratches very easily, while the glossy white one looks fresh for longer.
Another thing I liked is that these earbuds are super compact, which makes them very easy to carry around in daily use. Comfort is also a big plus point here. Compared to CMF Buds 2a or even OnePlus Nord Buds series, these feel much more comfortable. I was easily able to use them continuously for 4-5 hours without any problem. In this price range, I think it’s fair to call them one of the most comfortable earbuds available.
Now, there’s no ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) here, but still the design and fit are so good that passive noise isolation works really well. Outside noise barely enters, which is impressive at this price. On top of that, you also get IP55 water and dust resistance, so they’re safe from sweat, dust, and even light rain.
Features & Connectivity
Now talking about the features, there is no advanced feature or ANC in these earbuds. Just 1–2 useful options are there, for which you’ll need to download the Hey Melody app. But if you are using an Oppo, Realme, or OnePlus phone, then you don’t even need the app – all the options show directly inside Bluetooth settings itself.
You do get touch control customization, and the best part is that you can also control volume with touch gestures, which is honestly rare to see in this budget segment. Apart from that, there is dual device connectivity, and in audio settings you’ll find custom EQ support along with 3 preset sound modes.
Now usually, Oppo’s presets are quite effective on their higher models, but in these budget earbuds it’s not that strong. Even here, the preset modes (Bass boost, Vocal, etc.) don’t make a big difference. But honestly, you won’t even feel the need for it, because the default sound tuning is already very balanced and enjoyable. And if you still want changes, the custom EQ option is there anyway.
For gaming, the Oppo Enco Buds 3 Pro actually comes with a dedicated gaming mode that offers latency as low as 47ms. I tested it, and the performance was really good – audio and video stayed in proper sync while playing games. For casual as well as slightly serious gamers, this is more than enough. You won’t notice any disturbing lag while gaming or watching videos.
Microhone
Talking about the microphone, I found it to be quite decent for this price range. The mic has good sensitivity, so voices come out clear and natural during calls. Most people I spoke with on calls mentioned that my voice was sounding clear and warm, which is a good sign.
Even in outdoor situations with traffic noise, the mic performed reasonably well. Yes, some background sounds do get picked up, but not at a disturbing level. It still keeps the main voice clear enough for the person on the other side.
In fact, in this price range, after Realme T200, I would say the Oppo Enco Buds 3 Pro has one of the best microphonesfor calling. Definitely reliable for day-to-day calls and online meetings.
Battery Life
One thing that definitely stands out in the Oppo Enco Buds 3 Pro is the battery life. Since there’s no advanced codec support or ANC here, the expectation is that battery backup should be good – and it really is.
From my usage, at around 50% volume, you can easily get around 5 hours of playback on a single charge. With the charging case, the total battery life goes up to roughly 35–40 hours, which is quite solid for day-to-day use.
In fact, if we compare it with most other earbuds in this ₹1500 range, the Oppo Enco Buds 3 Pro offers better battery life. So in this department, Oppo has done a really good job.
Sound Quality
When it comes to sound, this is clearly the main advantage of Oppo Enco Buds 3 Pro. Honestly, it was not a surprise for me, because Oppo has always been quite reliable in audio tuning, even in their budget range.
Now, compared to other earbuds in the ₹1500 segment, how does it perform? First thing – there’s no advanced codec support here, only the standard SBC and AAC. But you do get a 12.4mm large driver, which is quite impressive at this price. The overall tuning is almost the same as we’ve seen on Oppo’s previous budget earbuds – a proper V-shaped sound profile. Basically, it’s fun and enjoyable, and I think most users will really like it. In fact, for most types of music, this tuning works pretty well.
Just like Realme or OnePlus earbuds in this range, the bass is slightly boosted here too. There’s that nice punch and boom, which makes tracks feel more energetic. The good thing is that the bass is controlled – it doesn’t overpower everything. So, vocals and mid instruments still sound clear and natural, with enough space in the mix. Especially vocals – they come out clean and quite pleasant.
The treble and high notes are also handled nicely. They don’t get sharp or harsh, so even at full volume the sound doesn’t feel tiring. Yes, the detail in the upper mids and highs isn’t very strong, and the soundstage is not that wide, but honestly at this budget, that’s expected.
Overall, compared to most earbuds under ₹1500, the Oppo Enco Buds 3 Pro delivers better audio quality, and that makes it stand out strongly in this segment.
Worth To Buy OPPO Enco Buds 3 Pro
So, if your budget is around ₹1800–2000 and you really want ANC along with good sound, then I would say go with Realme T200. It’s a solid package with reliable sound quality.
But if you want to stay under ₹1500, and your main priority is sound quality, comfort, and decent battery life, then honestly the Oppo Enco Buds 3 Pro is the best choice. Features are limited, yes, but for the price, the sound and comfort make it totally worth it. You won’t find a better sounding option at this budget.
So, if ANC and extra features don’t matter much to you, you can go for Oppo Enco Buds 3 Pro without any doubt.
Comparison
In this price range, there are quite a few options, but like I mentioned earlier, the main three competitors are Realme T200, CMF Buds 2a, and Moto Buds Bass.
Now, Moto Buds Bass looks promising on paper with features, but in reality the sound quality and battery life are not that great. So, we can remove that from the serious competition. Which leaves us with Realme T200 and CMF Buds 2aas the main rivals.
Sound quality wise, there isn’t a huge difference between all three. But both T200 and CMF Buds 2a push the bass a little higher, compared to Enco Buds 3 Pro. Because of this, the mids get slightly compromised there. On the other hand, Oppo Enco Buds 3 Pro sounds a bit more natural and clear. The difference is not massive – maybe 19–20 type difference – but still noticeable if you listen carefully.
When it comes to features though, Realme T200 and CMF Buds 2a definitely have the upper hand. They offer more options, including ANC, but of course their price is also ₹200–300 higher.
