It’s been a while since I last reviewed an audio device from OPPO and I’m glad how trendy their TWS earbuds have evolved ever since I got my hands on their OPPO Enco W51 in 2020. This 2023, OPPO has a new addition to their audio family – the OPPO Enco Air3. This new True Wireless Earbuds takes pride in its 25-hour battery life, a leveled-up surround-sound quality, the bass we loved in previous models, simultaneous connection to two different devices, and an aesthetically pleasing design inspired by jewels.

Before adding this to your shopping cart, here’s everything you need to know, based on our two-week test run:

DESIGN

Unlike other earbuds that we’ve seen before, the OPPO Enco Air3 comes in a unique translucent charging case with a magnetic closure. The look reminds me of circular spaceship pods, which add to the fun and youthful vibe of the device. Having a semi-see-through flap also makes it easier for the user to spot if one earbud is missing – clearly an advantage for forgetful people like me.

My OPPO Enco Air3 is in a Misty Purple color, which I personally love as it’s unique to the brand, but it’s also being sold in a classic white shade. The earbuds have a transparent dew drop stem which gives off a slight glare when hit by sunlight. Since it’s only 3.7g each, it’s easy to wear for hours without feeling any form of discomfort or itchy sensations. I’ve used it during commute, workouts, meetings, and even while lying down in bed for a full afternoon! Also, I’m not a huge fan of rubber ear tips so the OPPO Enco Air3’s snug yet rubber-less design is a plus for me.

The OPPO Enco Air3 also comes with a USB Type-C port at the bottom of the charging case. The box doesn’t include a free cable but any will do!

AUDIO QUALITY

As a multifaceted millennial who does a little bit of everything — from gaming and binge-watching videos to more serious matters like working and hopping on a call with family and friends, a trusty all-rounder audio device is a must. So far, the OPPO Enco Air3 has served its purpose well, but let me go into detail:

If you love watching movies and videos with immersive surround-sound and high-quality audio, then you’re in for a treat! The OPPO Enco Air3 has a Digital Signal Processor which supports OPPO Alive Audio processing for movie theater-standard surround sound. This makes it possible to distinguish a sound traveling from left to right. I felt chills when I first tested it on high volume while watching Interstellar. It’s that effective. Note, however, that this may not be the same experience when watching videos rendered with a low audio quality setting.

The earbuds also sport a 13.4mm large dynamic driver unit for crisp and clear vocals and strong bass. Aside from the usual top hits, I love using the Enco Air3 to listen to my Pop EDM playlist. Reminds me of good old days when we used to party and wait for the bass drop! If you’re not into bass-heavy audio, this can also be adjusted via the device settings or HeyMelody app.

During work hours, I like using its Noise Cancellation to help me block the outside noise as our home isn’t the quietest place to work at. It’s also cool how I can just tap away to answer and drop calls from my phone while connected to my laptop. Just like being at a control center when I’m feeling in the zone.

When it comes to gaming, it’s also a decent choice, given its really low latency at 47ms. The Game Mode comes in handy as this setting helps you focus on the sounds during gameplay. I’m not a hardcore gamer, but I do appreciate the quality when playing the likes of Pokemon Unite.

CONNECTIVITY

Another thing that I like about the OPPO Enco Air3 is its ability to connect to two different devices, regardless of brand, at the same time. This way, you can switch from video to video on two separate devices without needing to connect and disconnect your earbuds. It sports the newest-generation Bluetooth 5.3 which also helps reduce latency.

I haven’t gotten randomly disconnected from my smartphone yet, which proves how stable its connection is. I have a slight trust issue on Bluetooth devices but the OPPO Enco Air3 has given me a good experience so far.

CONTROLS

The OPPO Enco Air3’s default is similar with other brands: Single tap for play/pause, double tap for answering a call/playing next song, and touch and hold to turn the volume up (right bud) or down (left bud). However, these can be further customized via the HeyMelody app, which is available for download regardless of the smartphone/laptop brand that you’re using.

Via the HeyMelody app, a triple tap to wake up Voice Assistant/turn on Game Mode can be activated, as well as a “take a photo” action if you’re on OPPO ColorOS 11.3 or later smartphones. When tapping your earbuds twice to take a photo, note that it will still have a 3-second countdown before taking a snapshot via rear or selfie camera.

As a scatter-brain during work hours, another feature that I surprisingly found helpful is its “Find My Earbuds”. Upon selecting this via app, the earbud/s will start producing a soft alarm to help you find it. It only works if you’re within the range of the earbud/s, though!

SPECIFICATIONS

Size	33.1mm x 18.45mm x 17.10mm
Weight	3.75g
Driver	13.4mm Dynamic Unit
Bluetooth Version	BT5.3
Bluetooth Range	10m
Battery Capacity	27mAh (earbuds) and 300mAh (charging case)
Playtime (50% average volume)	6 hours (one charge) Total of 25 hours (with charging case)
Charging Time	1.2 hours (earbuds) 2 hours (earbuds and charging case)
Charging Port	USB Type-C
Gaming	47ms on OPPO Game Mode (Color OS 11.0+)
Noise Cancellation	Single mic call noise cancellation
Water Resistance	IP54 Dust and Water Resistance
Audio Decoding	AAC / SBC
Headphone Sound	Enco Live (Enco Master)
Compatibility	iOS and Android
Available Colors (PH)	Glaze White, Misty Purple

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

The OPPO Enco Air3 is now available at OPPO brand stores and partner dealers nationwide, as well as online via Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop for only Php 3,999 – a decent price compared to its competitors and predecessors.

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