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To be honest, I’m not usually a big fan of in-ear earbuds, but sometimes they can pleasantly surprise you. Recently, I received the OPPO Enco Buds 3 for review – they were just released in June 2025. These wireless earbuds are quite comfortable and offer solid sound quality along with a range of interesting features, which I’ll cover in detail in the full review. Here’s a quick overview of the key points: They come with 12.4 mm dynamic drivers coated with titanium and use OPPO’s Alive Audio technology to create 3D spatial sound. They connect via Bluetooth 5.4 with support for Google Fast Pair and include a low-latency gaming mode with a delay as low as 47 ms. Battery life is up to 9.5 hours on a single charge, and a quick 10-minute charge provides about 3 hours of playback time.
These features are certainly impressive – and that’s not even the full list. I’ll be testing the earbuds further and sharing what they truly have to offer in the full review ahead.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Oppo Enco Buds 3 specifications
Before moving on to the most interesting things, let me briefly mention the main specifications of the device:
- Colour: snow-white
- Loudspeaker: dynamic driver ϕ12.4 mm with titanium coating
- Driver sensitivity: 123±2.0 dB@1KHz
- Frequency response range: 20~20KHz
- Microphone sensitivity: -38dBV/Pa
- Bluetooth codec: AAC/SBC
- Bluetooth version: Bluetooth 5.4
- Bluetooth range: 10 m
- Battery type: rechargeable lithium-ion battery
- Battery capacity: 43 mAh (earbuds) / 530 mAh (charging case)
- Music playback time: Music playback time (AAC, default settings, 50% volume): 9.5 hours (on a single charge) / 48 hours (with charging case)
- Charging time: approx. 60 min (headphones) / 80 min (headphones + charging case)
- Charging input (charging case): 5 V ⎓ 1 A
- Charging input (headphones): 5 V ⎓ 0.15 A
- Charging output (headphone charging case): 5 V ⎓ 0.3 A
- Charging port: Type-C
- Water resistance (headphones): IP55
- Weight (one earbud): 3.8 g ± 0.2 g
- Weight (earbuds + charging case): 39.2 g ±2 g
- Dimensions (charging case): 49.04 x 49.29 x 24.06 mm
Positioning and price
The OPPO Enco Buds 3 are positioned by the company as an affordable yet feature-rich option in the TWS segment. Their main strength lies in the balance they strike between sound quality, ergonomics, battery life, and a selection of modern smart features – all at a competitive price point. They’re clearly aimed at users looking for reliable everyday wireless earbuds without the need for premium extras, but with a focus on comfort, audio quality, and essential protection. That said, features like Bluetooth 5.4, low-latency gaming mode, and dual-device connectivity push them beyond the typical budget category, offering technologies more commonly found in higher-end models.
As of their launch and by the end of June 2025, the recommended retail price for the OPPO Enco Buds 3 in Ukraine is around $49 / €41. Some retailers may offer promotional deals or installment payment options.
All in all, the Enco Buds 3 present an appealing option for those seeking a well-balanced pair of TWS earbuds that combine solid specs with a few modern features – without pushing into premium pricing territory.
Package contents
The earbuds come in OPPO’s typical compact packaging, reflecting the minimalist design of the product itself. The box is made from sturdy cardboard and styled in the brand’s signature color scheme – primarily white with silver accents. On the front, there’s an image of the earbuds and the charging case, along with the model name. The back provides key specifications and manufacturer information.
Inside the box is:
- Enco Buds 3 headphones in a storage and charging case
- Quick start guide and warranty card
The only notable omission in the package is a USB Type-C cable, but aside from that, everything needed for convenient, out-of-the-box use is included.
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Oppo Enco Buds 3 design and ergonomics
The Enco Buds 3 stand out with their minimalist and functional design, focused on comfort and practicality. The unit I received came in the “Snow White” colorway, which looks clean and modern, with an understated elegance. There’s also a “Slate Black” version available for those who prefer a darker, more neutral option.
The earbuds use a semi-open, stem-style design. Each stem houses a microphone and a touch-sensitive control area. Weighing just 3.8 grams per earbud, they feel extremely light and comfortable – even during extended use. Interestingly, the shape was developed using OPPO’s extensive database of ear models, which helps ensure a secure yet gentle fit. The earbuds stay in place well, making them a reliable option for use while on the move.
The charging case follows the same design philosophy as the earbuds themselves. It’s compact (measuring 49.04×49.29×24.06 mm) and rounded, making it easy to slip into a pocket or small bag. The unit I tested came in the same matte white finish as the earbuds, which does a good job of resisting fingerprints – something I appreciate, especially compared to glossy finishes that tend to scratch and smudge easily (looking at you, AirPods). The lid opens smoothly, and the earbuds are easy to remove and return to their magnetic charging contacts. There’s a battery status LED on the front and a USB Type-C charging port on the bottom. Overall, the Enco Buds 3 case balances modern aesthetics with practicality, making it a solid everyday companion.
Touch control
Controls are handled through touch-sensitive areas located on the stems of the earbuds. The system is intuitive and user-friendly, and it can be customized through the companion app. The Enco Buds 3 support a variety of gestures, allowing users to manage music playback, calls, and mode switching without needing to reach for their phone.
Controls are configured separately for each earbud.
Tap the earphone once:
- None (i.e. nothing is set)
- Play/pause
Double tap on any earbud:
- None (i.e. nothing is set)
- Music playback: play/pause, back/next
- Voice assistant
- Game mode
- Incoming call: answer the call
- During a call: end the call
Triple tap on any earbud:
- None (i.e. nothing)
- Music playback: back / next
- Voice assistant
- Game mode
Press and hold (for 1 second):
- Left earpiece: turn down the volume
- Right earpiece: turn up the volume
To customize the controls, you’ll need to install the HeyMelody app. On OPPO smartphones, settings and control options are integrated directly into the system’s Bluetooth menu. For other Android and iOS devices, you’ll need to download the app separately. Once installed, it allows you to adjust or reassign gesture functions to better suit your preferences.
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Connection features
In my experience, the Enco Buds 3 connect quickly and maintain a stable connection throughout use. They utilize the latest Bluetooth 5.4 standard, which ensures reliable performance within a 10-meter range and improves energy efficiency. One particularly convenient feature is Google Fast Pair, which significantly simplifies the initial pairing process with Android devices. When you open the charging case near a compatible phone, a pop-up prompt appears automatically – just tap to connect, no need to manually search through Bluetooth settings.
Another notable connectivity feature is the low-latency gaming mode. It’s activated by triple-tapping the touch area on either earbud (this can be customized in the app, as mentioned earlier). In this mode, audio latency drops to just 47 ms, providing near-perfect synchronization between sound and visuals. This is especially important for gaming, where reaction speed matters, so this feature definitely earns a big thumbs-up.
Another useful feature is Dual-Device Connection, which allows the earbuds to connect to two devices simultaneously. For example, you can be connected to a laptop for watching a movie and also paired with your smartphone. When a call comes in on the phone, the earbuds automatically switch over, then return to the laptop’s audio once the call ends. This adds a lot of convenience by eliminating the need to manually switch between devices.
Sound
Generally, I tend to prefer over-ear headphones, but I do use in-ear models as well. So before starting this review, I was curious to see if the Enco Buds 3 would impress me. Honestly, they did – thanks to their clear and balanced sound profile. One of their main strengths is the 12.4 mm dynamic drivers with titanium coating. These drivers deliver robust, deep bass, while the titanium coating helps produce clean and detailed highs. Vocals and midrange instruments come through clearly and distinctly, leaving little to criticize in that area.
Another interesting feature is OPPO’s Alive Audio technology, which delivers 3D spatial sound. This creates a sense of immersive, surround-like audio – as if the sound isn’t just coming from the earbuds but enveloping you from all around. It noticeably enhances the listening experience for music, movies, or gaming by making the soundstage wider and more realistic. I wasn’t expecting this level of effect from in-ear buds, but the technology really does work.
In the HeyMelody app (or within the built-in settings on OPPO smartphones), you can customize the sound profile to suit your preferences, adjusting bass, mids, and treble. Honestly, I didn’t notice a significant difference myself, but having the option is a plus. Overall, I’m satisfied with the sound quality of the Enco Buds 3, so let’s move on.
Oppo Enco Buds 3 battery life
According to the manufacturer, each Enco Buds 3 earbud contains a 43 mAh battery, providing up to 9.5 hours of playback on a single charge. This is a strong performance for true wireless earbuds. The charging case includes a 530 mAh battery, capable of fully recharging the earbuds several times. Together, the earbuds and case offer a total battery life of up to 48 hours. The model also supports fast charging – just 10 minutes in the case delivers up to 3 hours of use, while a full charge takes around 60 minutes.
So, how do they perform in real life? In my experience, after three hours of continuous listening, the battery level dropped to 31%, which I find more than sufficient for daily use. As for charging the case, you can pretty much forget about it for several days or even weeks, depending on how intensively you use the earbuds.
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Protection
The Enco Buds 3 come with an IP55 rating, meaning they are protected against dust to a level that won’t interfere with normal operation – though it’s not a full dust-tight seal, it’s adequate for most everyday situations. They also withstand water splashes and jets (IPX5). However, this protection applies only to the earbuds themselves; the charging case is not water- or dust-resistant and should be kept away from moisture and debris.
Software
I’ve mentioned the HeyMelody app several times throughout this review. If you don’t own an OPPO smartphone, you’ll need to install this app to customize settings and monitor your earbuds’ status.
The app is available on Google Play for Android and the App Store for iOS, so the installation process is straightforward. To connect your earbuds to your phone, open the app, accept the terms of use, grant the necessary permissions, tap the “Add” button, and wait for the devices to sync.
After that, the app interface should appear on your screen. It has three tabs at the bottom: Device, Controls, and Information. Here’s a quick overview of each:
Device – shows key information such as the battery levels of each earbud and the charging case, lets you adjust sound effects, toggle the gaming mode on or off, and configure settings like dual-device connection, find my earbuds, and notification volume.
The Controls tab is divided into Left and Right earbud sections, with separate settings for normal use and during calls. It also includes a tutorial to help you get familiar with the controls. Overall, it’s straightforward and allows you to customize the controls to your preference.
The Information tab contains the user agreement, licenses, supported devices, app version, and privacy notifications – basically, details you’re unlikely to need during everyday use.
That’s about it for the app. It launches and runs quickly and reliably, with the earbuds syncing immediately even after not opening the app for a long time. You can also add other OPPO earbuds here – the supported models are listed in the Information tab.
It’s also worth mentioning that the Enco Buds 3 feature AI Translate, which integrates AI capabilities to provide real-time language translation. The earbuds function mainly as a microphone to capture speech and a speaker to play back the translation. The actual translation process happens on the connected smartphone, but there is a significant limitation: this feature only works when the Enco Buds 3 are paired with OPPO or OnePlus phones running ColorOS 15.0.1 or later. This means the translation function is not available on other Android devices, even if they have Google Gemini or Google Translate installed. Additionally, the smartphone must have an active internet connection for the feature to work. The translation supports 30 languages in both directions.
Conclusions
The Enco Buds 3 leave a generally positive impression and seem like a solid option in the affordable wireless earbuds segment. They offer a balanced combination of comfortable semi-in-ear design, decent battery life, and good sound quality supported by updated technologies. Overall, they present a practical choice without major drawbacks.
The manufacturer included several modern features: fast connection via Google Fast Pair, stable Bluetooth 5.4 with support for simultaneous connection to two devices, a low-latency mode aimed at gamers (47 ms), and basic IP55 water and dust resistance. Taken together, these features position the earbuds above what is typically expected in this price range, making them a reasonable recommendation.
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