There was a wave of concern earlier this month when the latest shipment data suggested that the Indian wearables market declined in the second quarter of the year. International Data Corporation’s (IDC) India Monthly Wearable Device Tracker suggested that shipments of true wireless earbuds (TWS), smartwatches and fitness bands declined by 10% compared to the same period last year. On closer inspection, it is indeed a worrying time for smartwatches, which recorded a decline of 27.4%, dragging down the category’s numbers. Earwear, which includes true wireless earbuds, remained steady with a marginal growth of 0.7%.
That’s largely due to the volumes the budget true wireless earbuds are achieving. Indian companies BoAt, Boult and Noise dominate the market, similar to last year – Boult (now 12.9% market share) saw a 47.1% year-on-year increase, while Noise (now 9.2% market share) saw 52% year-on-year growth in earbud shipments. Building on that growth, the three companies have diversified and also taken steps towards premiumisation. Noise’s latest Buds Xero (priced around ₹4,499) are a successful example of these attempts. Another element that has worked well is the specification-driven development of the products that then go on sale. Features such as noise cancellation and longer battery life have made their way down the price ranges.
Read also:Tech Tonic | Why Indian tech brands dominate the wearables industry
The latest shipment figures would worry global players like Xiaomi and OnePlus. They have a large smartphone user base with which they would love to build an ecosystem that includes wireless earbuds. However, this has not happened to the extent that OnePlus, Xiaomi and even brands like Oppo would have hoped. For example, Oppo and OnePlus together now have a market share of 7.4%, far behind Noise, a gap that has widened as the combined effort lost 5.2% in shipment share compared to last year.
Still, the two tech companies have wasted no time in responding to market demand and launching new, affordable wireless earbuds that they hope will cement their place in this fast-moving category (and fast). There’s a greater emphasis on design and colors, something the top three Indian tech companies have done quite well in recent years. Moreover, OnePlus and Xiaomi hope the extra focus on features will help potential buyers find value for money. HT tests the two affordable (though differently priced) wireless earbuds and finds out how the balance plays out.
OnePlus Nord 3 Pro
OnePlus may be hoping that the “Pro” name will lend a little more seriousness to its latest affordable earbuds, but the fact is that the Nord Buds 3 Pro have enough features to get by just fine without them. Priced at ₹3,299, and that’s the kind of price range that usually resonates (and budgets) with buyers who are a little more discerning. There are 12.4mm titanium-coated audio drivers in each ear. OnePlus has tuned the sound signature to emphasize the lower frequencies, again based on the assumption that the buyer demographic is more interested in up-tempo tracks, including remixes. For this genre of music, it works pretty well, with a surprisingly wide sound signature that adds a nice sense of space to the music you’re listening to.
The hybrid active noise cancellation is rated at up to 49 dB (decibels). This is enough to block out most of the ambient noise you may be exposed to at home, at work, or while traveling. And it does so quite efficiently without you having to switch modes. The only thing that won’t be blocked out, ideally, is a typical mechanical hum, such as a loud refrigerator shelf in a department store.
As has been the case for a few years now, OnePlus’ true wireless earbuds work best with the company’s own smartphones, and to some extent, Android phones (Apple iPhone users will hardly benefit from the advanced features like Google Fast Par). Still, on any Android device, I’d recommend taking a look at the HeyMelody app to adjust the sound. The Nord Buds 3 Pro are rated IP55 for water and dust resistance, and OnePlus insists that the charging case has been tested to 20,000 opening and closing movements of the lid’s hinge. To be honest, we’ve never encountered a case where the lid on a true wireless earbud has come off.
Read also:Noise Buds Xero underlines the premiumization claim of Indian technology brands
Xiaomi Redmi Buds 5c
A quick look at the competitive landscape surrounding the ₹The list price is 1,599, and the Redmi Buds 5c have plenty of competition, including the Noise Buds X ANC and the BoAt Nirvana Space. Xiaomi has given the Redmi Buds 5c a big arsenal in terms of features, which could mean buyers are getting a lot for their money in what is likely their first tryst with true wireless earbuds. There are large 12.4mm titanium audio drivers in each ear, with the sound signature gently tuned to lower frequencies for better bass filtering. Of course, there are sound profiles to choose from, including a custom one, but you’d expect the Redmi Buds 5c to work best with up-tempo music. That’s an audience preference that Xiaomi understood well many years ago.
Well-built earbuds (they are also quite lightweight and hence comfortable) and if you must, I would recommend the blue color option. Active noise cancellation is 40dB or decibels and in the real world, this is more than enough to drown out the traffic noise outside your window, a football match on TV in the same room as well as children screaming in the park below. However, the hum of an air conditioner remains noticeable. Interestingly, Xiaomi has not compromised on dust and water resistance – the Redmi Buds 5c have an IP54 rating.
On Android phones, setup is easier with Google Fast Pair, but you’ll want to download the Xiaomi Earbuds app to get the extensive controls available. These earbuds can last for around 6 hours of music playback with noise cancellation before you need to put them back in the case to recharge. This cycle can be repeated 5 times before the case needs to be fully charged again. Essentially, there’s very little to complain about with the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 5c, especially at an affordable price.
