The OnePlus Buds Clip are a new pair of open-ear earbuds built around a simple convenience. They join Sony’s LinkBuds Clip in the growing ear-cuff category, but either OnePlus bud can go on either ear.
Sensors recognize how the earbuds are being worn and route the audio channels accordingly. There’s no label to check before putting them on, and the feature also works when only one bud is used.
The hardware has been revealed in detail, but these earbuds aren’t ready for a proper buying decision. OnePlus still hasn’t attached global pricing or a wider retail schedule to them.
How does either-ear detection work
The recognition system isn’t completely hands-off. OnePlus recommends dipping the head slightly after putting the earbuds on for the most accurate result.
Each earbud weighs 5.2 grams and wraps around the ear using a flexible nickel-titanium arc. OnePlus developed the shape using measurements from more than 3,500 ears, though actual comfort will come down to the wearer’s ear shape.
What powers the open-ear sound
The audio hardware is more ambitious than the lightweight design suggests. Like the OnePlus Buds 4, each earbud pairs a woofer and tweeter with a separate DAC powering each driver. The Buds Clip use 11mm and 9mm drivers, with Dynaudio handling the tuning. Compatible Android devices can use LHDC 5.0 for higher-resolution playback.
Sound leakage remains an obvious concern with open-ear earbuds. OnePlus uses reverse sound waves from the rear vent to reduce how much audio escapes. Six microphones and a dedicated 6nm chip handle calls by filtering surrounding noise and isolating the wearer’s voice.
When can buyers get them
OnePlus rates the Buds Clip for 9.5 hours per charge using AAC, or 40 hours with the case. LHDC lowers those figures to eight and 36 hours. The earbuds have an IP55 rating, though the case doesn’t.
Bluetooth 6.1 and simultaneous connections to two devices are also supported. A OnePlus-authorized retailer in Hong Kong lists the Buds Clip at HK$1,199, or about $153, but that regional figure may not reflect pricing elsewhere. OnePlus still hasn’t confirmed global pricing or a wider sales schedule, so $153 is best treated as an early reference rather than a global MSRP.
