Oppo Enco Air (W32) review

In the ever-expanding market of true wireless earbuds, Oppo has made a name for itself with its affordable offerings. One such option are the Oppo Enco Air, a pair of true wireless earbuds that aim to provide a budget-friendly alternative to more expensive brands like Apple and Samsung. Having spent a little over a month with these buds, here’s my full review.

But before we get into it, I should note that the Oppo Enco Air (W32) buds are not Oppo’s latest offering from their Enco Air lineup. The Enco Air buds I’m reviewing are from 2021. If you’d want to get their latest offering from the Enco Air lineup, have a look at their Oppo Enco Air3 buds.

What’s in the Box?

If you decide to go with the Encor Air (W32) buds, here’s what you’ll get in the box.

• Earbuds
• Charging Case
• USB-C Charging Cable
• Manual

Design and Comfort

The Oppo Enco Air take clear inspiration from the iconic design of Apple’s AirPods. The earbuds come in a sleek and minimalist form factor, with a glossy finish and a stem-like extension that houses the touch-sensitive controls. While the design may not be groundbreaking, it is undeniably stylish and familiar. The Enco Air buds are available in both white and black variants, with the white option resembling the AirPods more closely. I have the black variant as seen below.

When it comes to comfort, the Oppo Enco Air do not disappoint. The lightweight construction and ergonomic shape of the earbuds make them easy to wear for extended periods. I honestly can’t count the number of times I forgot I had them on and almost went to sleep with them on.

However, a quality of life issue I encountered pretty early on is that the buds aren’t super secure. Perhaps this is just a result of the shape of my ear and the fact that they do not include interchangeable buds to fit your specific ear shape and size.

Additionally, the earbuds come with a 12 mm titanium composite dynamic driver and also supports IPX4 water resistance (the charging case is not). This means there’s no need to worry about sweaty workouts and accidental splashing.

Connectivity and Controls

Setting up the Oppo Enco Air is a breeze. The earbuds utilize Bluetooth 5.2 technology, ensuring a stable and reliable connection with your device. Pairing the Enco Air with your smartphone or tablet is as simple as opening the charging case and selecting the earbuds from the device’s Bluetooth menu. The fast pairing is all thanks to Google’s Fast Pair technology. Once connected, the Oppo Enco Air maintain a strong connection within a range of up to 10 meters.

Also Read: OPPO Reno8 T 5G Review: The Design King!

The touch-sensitive controls on the stem of the Enco Air allow for easy navigation of music playback, call management, and activating voice assistants. While the controls are generally intuitive, I found them to be too sensitive for my liking and often led to accidental inputs.

At one point when I tried to readjust them in my ear, I accidentally hit the skip button, which is a frustrating experience to say the least. Additionally, the lack of physical buttons may take some time getting used to, especially for those accustomed to traditional earbuds with tactile controls. There’s voice-assistant support, too, which is always a nice bonus.

Overall, I just wasn’t stoked with the touch-sensitive controls. I found them to be too easy to activate when I didn’t want them, and near impossible to activate when I actually needed them.

Audio Performance

When it comes to audio performance, the Oppo Enco Air deliver a satisfactory experience considering their affordable price point. The sound quality is decent, with clear vocals and adequate bass response. However, audiophiles may find the overall audio reproduction to be lacking in detail and finesse compared to higher-end options. The Enco Air are best suited for casual listening and everyday use rather than critical music appreciation.

I also noticed that the audio from the buds tends to spill over whenever you play your music at volumes above 50%. This means that if you’re travelling using public means, anyone seated next to you can hear whatever you’re listening to. The lack of active noise cancellation may also be a drawback for those seeking complete immersion in their music or a distraction-free environment.

One thing I cannot complain about is the call quality from these buds. Oppo has incorporated AI-powered noise cancellation for calls, ensuring clear and crisp audio quality during phone conversations, even in noisy environments. From testing, this feature isn’t a gimmick and was particularly helpful when making or receiving calls while on the go.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is a crucial aspect to consider when choosing true wireless earbuds, and the Oppo Enco Air deliver respectable performance in this regard. The earbuds themselves provide up to 4 hours of playtime on a single charge, which is on par with other earbuds in this price range. However, the charging case extends the overall battery life to an impressive 24 hours, allowing for multiple charges on the go.

One standout feature of the Oppo Enco Air is their fast-charging capability. With just a 10-minute charge, you can enjoy an additional 8 hours of playback, which is incredibly convenient for those moments when you need a quick boost of battery life. The charging case utilizes a USB-C port for fast and efficient charging, ensuring that the Enco Air buds are ready to go whenever you need them.

To check the battery life, just open the lid of the charging case with the earbuds inside and the LED notification will light up to give you an idea of the battery level of the earbuds. When you remove the earbuds from the charging case, the indicator shows the battery level of the charging case itself.

There are different battery level color indicators: red indicates low, yellow indicates medium, and green indicates full or sufficient. The remaining battery of the earbuds can also be displayed in the phone’s Bluetooth list or inside the HeyMelody app.

Value for Money

When it comes to value for money, the Oppo Enco Air excel. Priced at around Ksh 4,000 to Ksh 6,000 depending on where you get them from, these earbuds offer a compelling alternative to more expensive options on the market.

While they may not have all the bells and whistles of higher-end models, the Enco Air provides a solid audio experience, comfortable fit, and reliable connectivity at a fraction of the cost. For budget-conscious consumers or those looking for a secondary pair of earbuds, the Enco Air is a great choice. If your budget is a bit lower, you can have a look at the Haylou GT1 Pro buds from Haylou.

Final Verdict

Buy the Oppo Enco Air buds if..

You’re on a budget

Perfectly priced for those on a budget who still want to feel they have AirPods, the Oppo Enco Air do the job at a low price.

You forget to recharge often

Regularly forget to stick your earbuds on charge? Fast-charging functionality means you won’t have to worry about running out of charge.

Don’t buy them if…

You want great sound quality

The Oppo Enco Air aren’t for audiophiles. Hardly surprising at this price. The Enco Air are better suited to users who want earbuds that look good and work.

You want wireless charging

Want the convenience of placing a charging case on a wireless pad? You’ll need to spend more for the privilege.

You can afford to spend more

The Oppo Enco Air are fine for the price, but if you can afford to spend more then you should. You’ll gain many extra features as a result.

In conclusion, the Oppo Enco Air offer a compelling package for those in search of affordable true wireless earbuds. With their stylish design, comfortable fit, reliable connectivity, and satisfactory audio performance, the Enco Air deliver on their promise of providing a budget-friendly alternative to more expensive options. While they may not have all the advanced features of their pricier competitors, the Enco Air offer excellent value for money and are a solid choice for casual listeners and budget-conscious consumers alike.