OnePlus is kicking off the new year with an exciting announcement for audio enthusiasts. The tech giant has confirmed that it will be launching its latest premium true wireless earphones, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3, on January 4. This news comes hot on the heels of the OnePlus 12 smartphone series launch in China earlier this month, adding to the excitement surrounding OnePlus products in early 2024.

In an official announcement on Weibo (via 9to5Google), OnePlus shared a glimpse of the upcoming OnePlus Buds Pro 3. While the company didn't divulge many details about the earbuds' features, it did mention "flagship sound quality," hinting at a focus on audio excellence. 

The teaser also showcased the new color options for the OnePlus Buds Pro 3, which will be available in black and blue. The blue color variant particularly aligns with the leaked design of the OnePlus 12R, creating a coordinated aesthetic within OnePlus's product ecosystem.

Industry insider Evan Blass also contributed to the anticipation by sharing a comprehensive look at the contents of the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 box. The packaging includes additional ear tip sizes and a charging cable, alongside the main earbuds. Furthermore, Blass shared a short video demonstrating the earbuds' gesture controls in action, showcasing functions like tap gestures and volume control via touch.

Source: Evan Blass (@evleaks / X).

While specific technical specifications for the Buds Pro 3 remain largely undisclosed, a leak from September from MySmartPiece, suggested several key features, including a 9-hour battery life, improved active noise cancellation (ANC), and intriguingly, slower charging. 

It's worth noting that the OnePlus Buds Pro 2, launched in January 2023, introduced new audio hardware and partnered with "Dynaudio" for audio tuning. These earbuds also boasted support for Spatial Audio and Google Fast Pair, making them a noteworthy addition to the true wireless earphone market. 

The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 was priced at $179, and it's reasonable to expect that the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 will be competitively priced, following OnePlus's trend of delivering high-quality products at affordable price points.

The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 launch on January 4 aligns with the OnePlus Ace 3 (known as the OnePlus 12R in international markets) launch in China. However, it's important to note that the OnePlus Ace 3 will not be immediately available for international customers and is expected to be released globally on January 23. 

Given OnePlus's history, it's likely that the Buds Pro 3 will be introduced to a global audience alongside the OnePlus 12 and other new products during the global launch event on January 23. Stay tuned for more details of the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 following their official launch on January 4.