Realme Buds T310 vs OnePlus Nord Buds 3r: The Ultimate Budget TWS Battle (2025)

 

Realme Buds T310 vs OnePlus Nord Buds 3r: The Ultimate Budget TWS Battle (2025)

By The Tech Guru

If you have ₹2,000 in your pocket and you're looking for the best earbuds for college, you have almost certainly narrowed it down to two major contenders. This is the battle of the year for budget buyers.

In one corner, we have the Realme Buds T310, the undisputed "Feature King." It brings flagship-level specs like 46dB Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and 360-degree spatial audio to a budget price point. We already put it through a rigorous test in our full [Realme Buds T310 Review].

In the other corner, we have the OnePlus Nord Buds 3r, the "Reliability King." It skips the fancy tricks to focus on premium build quality, a balanced sound signature, and absolutely insane battery life.

They cost almost the same. They are both from top-tier brands. But they are built for completely different types of students. Which one deserves your money? Let's break it down, round by round.

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Round 1: Silence vs. Awareness (The ANC Factor)

This is the biggest difference between the two, and for many students, the deciding factor.

• Realme Buds T310: This earbud features 46dB Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation. As we found in our review, this isn't just a gimmick. It genuinely blocks out ceiling fans, suppresses bus engine noise, and silences the chatter in a library. It creates a bubble of silence that is perfect for studying.

• OnePlus Nord Buds 3r: The Nord Buds 3r does NOT have Active Noise Cancellation. You are relying entirely on "Passive Noise Isolation"—basically, how well the silicone tips seal your ear canal. While the fit is good and blocks some sound, you will still hear the hum of the AC or people talking around you.

Verdict: If you need silence to focus, there is only one choice. Winner: Realme Buds T310

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Round 2: Sound Quality (Bass vs. Balance)

Both earbuds feature massive 12.4mm drivers, but they are tuned very differently.

• Realme Buds T310: These are tuned for the "Bass Head." The sound is energetic, punchy, and thumping. It’s fantastic for Bollywood, EDM, and Hip-Hop. Plus, it includes 360° Spatial Audio, which creates a surround-sound effect that makes watching movies and Netflix shows incredibly immersive.

• OnePlus Nord Buds 3r: These feature Titanized Diaphragm Drivers. What does that mean? It means the sound is cleaner, crisper, and more detailed. While it still has good bass, it doesn't drown out the vocals or instruments. It’s a more "mature" and balanced sound signature that is great for acoustic music, podcasts, and Pop.

Verdict: Do you want a party in your ears (Realme) or clear, detailed vocals (OnePlus)? Winner: Tie (Depends on your music taste)

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Round 3: Battery Life Marathon

You're a busy student. You don't want to be charging your case every two days.

• Realme Buds T310: Offers a very respectable 40 hours of total playback (case + buds). With ANC turned on, you'll get about 5-6 hours on a single charge from the buds. This is good, standard performance.

• OnePlus Nord Buds 3r: This is where OnePlus destroys the competition. It offers a massive 54 hours of total playback. That is nearly 35% more battery life than the Realme. You can literally go weeks without charging the case. The buds alone last longer on a single charge because they aren't draining power for ANC.

Verdict: If you hate charging your gadgets, the OnePlus is a beast that just keeps going. Winner: OnePlus Nord Buds 3r

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Round 4: Call Quality & Features

Who wins on the "extras" that make daily life easier?

• Connectivity: The Realme Buds T310 supports Dual Device Connection. You can connect to your laptop and phone simultaneously, seamlessly switching between a movie and a call. The OnePlus Nord Buds 3r lacks this feature—you have to manually disconnect and reconnect to switch devices.

• Call Quality: Both are excellent. The Realme uses a 6-mic setup for noise reduction, while the OnePlus uses an AI Call Noise Cancellation algorithm. In my testing, both are "hostel-ready" and clear, though the OnePlus sounded slightly more natural in quiet environments.

• Durability: The OnePlus Nord Buds 3r feels slightly more rugged and premium in the hand, with an IP55 dust and water resistance rating (vs. IP54 on Realme), making it a bit safer for sweaty gym sessions or dust.

Verdict: Realme wins on productivity (Dual Pairing), while OnePlus wins on ruggedness. Winner: Realme Buds T310 (For Dual Pairing)

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Final Verdict: Who Should Buy Which?

This battle was fierce, but the choice is actually very clear based on your priorities.

You should choose the Realme Buds T310 if:

• You need ANC: Studying in noisy environments is your main use case.

• You are a Multi-Tasker: You need Dual Device Connection for your phone and laptop.

• You love Bass & Movies: You want that thumping sound and Spatial Audio for Netflix.

You should choose the OnePlus Nord Buds 3r if:

• You value Battery Life above all: You want a pair that lasts for days and days on a single charge.

• You prefer Balanced Audio: You want clear vocals and details, not just overwhelming bass.

• You want Durability: You prefer a rugged build and higher dust resistance for daily abuse.

The Bottom Line: If you want the most features for your money, get the Realme. If you want the most reliable daily driver that never dies, get the OnePlus.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Realme Buds T310	OnePlus Nord Buds 3r	Winner
Active Noise Cancellation	Yes (46dB Hybrid)	No (Passive only)	Realme
Total Battery Life	40 Hours	54 Hours	OnePlus
Sound Signature	Bass-Heavy + Spatial Audio	Balanced & Clear	Tie
Dual Device Connection	Yes	No	Realme
Durability	IP54	IP55 (Dust & Water)	OnePlus