Faisal Ghaffar 
OnePlus has introduced the Nord Buds 2 to get back into the budget audio race, as these earphones come with a decent battery life and active noise cancelling (ANC), all at a great price tag. The inclusion of ANC is an improvement over the previous iteration of Nord Buds.
Design and build
The design language of the Nord Buds 2 remains the same as their predecessor, as they come with chunkier and rounder stems. They are available in two colors; grey and white. The design undoubtedly seems to come off as premium, but they are vulnerable to marks and scuffs, a problem that existed in the previous generation as well.
Weighing 4.7g, the buds do not feel heavy in your ear. The box includes three silicone tips and it is oval-shaped. The case is a bit wide, making it less compact than others, but it weighs just 37.5g and is durable and stable. You can also wear the buds during exercise, as they have an IP55 rating.
Software and features
You can pair the buds quite smoothly, especially when doing it with OnePlus phones. You can use the HeyMelody app for controlling the buds, which can be found on both iOS and Android devices. You will find four generic sound profiles, which are Bass, Serenade, Bold and the default Balanced. You can also create a custom sound profile and adjust the settings as per your preference.
The Nord Buds 2 also come with a Dirac Audio Tuner and Dolby Atmos Support, but only when being used with OnePlus devices. You can use touch controls for skipping tracks, playing and pausing audio and enabling the game mode or voice assistant. The touch sensitivity is also great, but there is no auto-pause when you take the buds out.
Sound quality
The 12.4mm drivers that have been added to the Nord Buds 2 produce quite a loud sound, so you will likely not have to turn up the sound. The sound is very clear and the latency is also very impressive. The ANC is also great for the price, as it can block loud sounds. There is also a transparency mode that can come in handy.
There are dual mics to be found on the Nord Buds 2 that can amplify your voice when you are talking to someone. The Bluetooth range is also very impressive.
Battery and charging
The battery life of the Nord Buds 2 is downright excellent. With ANC on, you can use the buds for five hours and they can last for seven hours without it. You can get 27 and 36 hours respectively, thanks to the 480mAh case. To put it simply, you will not have a problem in using these buds for a long period of time. The charging case also comes with fast charging support, but no wireless charging is supported.
The Verdict
With a price tag of just $59, there is no denying that the Nord Buds 2 are a great investment, given the decent battery life, good audio and most importantly, the ANC.
