OnePlus has officially entered the open-ear audio segment with the announcement of the OnePlus Buds Clip. The new earbuds join a growing list of clip-style true wireless headphones designed for all-day comfort and environmental awareness. The product directly competes with established rivals like the Bose Ultra Open (2nd Gen) Earbuds and the Sony LinkBuds Clip.
Although the company has exited the US and EU markets, the listing of the Buds Clip on its global website signals an intent to reach a wider international audience beyond its primary home market of China. The device is positioned as a practical alternative for users seeking lightweight audio solutions that do not block out surrounding noise.
Symmetrical Design and Comfort Features
The OnePlus Buds Clip weighs just 5.2 grams per earbud. The structure relies on an adaptive nickel-titanium memory alloy C-bridge, which allows the device to flex and conform to individual ear shapes without applying excessive pressure. This design has earned a “Comfortable Fit” certification from TÜV Rheinland.
A key differentiator for the Buds Clip is its symmetrical auto-detection system. Internal sensors identify which ear the user places the bud in and automatically reroute the left and right stereo channels. This allows users to wear either bud on either ear without needing to manually adjust settings or worry about channel inversion.
Audio Performance and Connectivity
Sound quality is managed by a dual-driver setup consisting of an 11mm woofer and a 9mm tweeter. These drivers are powered by dedicated dual digital-to-analog converters (DACs) and have been co-tuned with audio partner Dynaudio. The earbuds support Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification and utilize the LHDC 5.0 codec, alongside standard AAC and SBC support.
To address the common issue of sound leakage in open-ear designs, OnePlus has implemented “Dipole Sound-Field” technology. This system uses rear vents to emit reverse-phase waves, which cancel out audio escaping toward bystanders and help keep the listening experience private.
Connectivity options include Bluetooth 6.1, dual-device connection, Google Fast Pair, and Windows Swift Pair. The earbuds also feature an AI Translate function, though this is currently limited to use with OnePlus smartphones. Additional features include touch-based volume and tap controls, as well as integrated drop alerts that notify the user if an earbud falls off.
Battery Life and Call Quality
For calls, the device uses a six-microphone array paired with a 6nm “AI Audio Chip.” This hardware captures bone-conducted vibrations from the user’s jaw to isolate voice while filtering out ambient chatter. The earbuds carry an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance.
Battery endurance is rated at up to 9.5 hours of standalone playback when using the AAC codec, or 8 hours when using LHDC. The included charging case extends the total listening time to 40 hours. The Buds Clip will be available in Pearl White, Pebble Gray, and Twilight Rose.
OnePlus has not yet announced a release date or pricing for the Buds Clip. The company is expected to provide more details on availability in the coming weeks.
Source: Android Authority
