The neckband-style wi-fi audio vary was as soon as a rage within the Indian market, and the Bullets vary from OnePlus had a great run. In 2022, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 mannequin was the best-selling neckband within the Indian market, contributing a 14 per cent share of the entire neckband quantity, based on Counterpoint Research. However, as time has handed, TWS has taken over, they usually are available in all sizes and costs.
OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3, the successor to the Bullets Wireless Z2, is lastly making its approach to India. The Bullets wi-fi audio vary from OnePlus does not want a lot introduction, as these neckbands have been round for some years. This is the primary time that the corporate’s neckband vary has taken a hiatus of nearly 3 years.
Notably, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 are the primary audio product to be domestically produced in partnership with Optiemus Electronics below the corporate’s all-new Make-in-India AIoT initiative. The Bullets Wireless Z3, properly, essentially appears and feels the identical because the Z2 however packs in some upgrades that I’ll discuss on this evaluate. If you are somebody who nonetheless prefers neckbands over TWS, you should definitely try the total evaluate earlier than getting your arms on this one.
Starting with the design, and actually, there’s nothing new to put in writing about – the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3, as I stated, feels just like the Z2. The neckband includes a signature magnetic on-and-off perform, with magnets situated on the again of the earbuds that pause the music when not in use. They are designed retaining all-day put on and sports activities silicone materials that ought to be skin-friendly. The ergonomically curved design additionally ensures an ideal match. Whether you are commuting to the workplace or health club, you may put on the neckband round your neck all day with out worry of dropping it, due to the magnetic lock.
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The Bullets Wireless Z3 comes with a skin-friendly silicone end
It has been launched in two colors – Mambo Midnight and Samba Sunset. I obtained the latter for evaluate, and it appears good, undoubtedly higher than the Blue color we noticed on the Z2. The neckband’s left aspect homes all bodily buttons for quantity rockers and soundtrack adjustments, in addition to a USB Type-C port for charging. There is an LED indicator that lights up in pink and white. The buttons are tactile and provide good suggestions.
The neckband weighs 26 grams and measures 124.3 x 174.5 x 13.1 mm. OnePlus has added an IP55 water and sweat resistance score, which implies the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 is prepared for out of doors use and may face up to rain splashes. The neckband is snug and tangle-free. The comfort of carrying them with out an extra charging field means they are often worn round your neck all day with none points.
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It helps Bluetooth 5.4 with as much as 10 meters of vary
The OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 receives app help, which is improbable—the HeyMelody app from Oppo returns, providing all settings in a single place. The excellent news is that the app is accessible for Android and iOS customers. While Android customers can entry some fundamental capabilities below Bluetooth settings with out the necessity to set up an app, if you wish to personalise the audio output, it is best to obtain the app. OnePlus customers get most of these settings within the Bluetooth part.
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The non-OnePlus customers can obtain the HeyMelody app to personalise settings
With the HeyMelody app, you may customise earbud controls for the center button, similar to enjoying or pausing by urgent the center button as soon as, skipping to the subsequent observe by double-tapping the center button, skipping to the earlier observe by triple-tapping the center button, and activating the voice assistant by urgent and holding the button. For calls, you may press the center button to reply or finish the decision. To reject calls, merely press and maintain the center button. All of these capabilities might be tweaked through the HeyMelody app. You additionally get the OnePlus 3D Audio perform that gives an immersive sound atmosphere, however actually, that is extra gimmicky and nothing concrete – I’ll speak extra about it within the efficiency part.
The app additionally presents equaliser settings, and you may select from Balanced, Serenade, Bass, and Bold. There’s additionally BassWave to spice up the bass dynamically. Considering there is a full-blown app to regulate Bullets Wireless Z3, I’d have beloved to have a devoted customized equaliser setting. The Bullets Wireless Z3 helps Google Fast Pair, making the pairing expertise seamless. The neckband helps AAC and SBC – I’m not stunned, contemplating the pricing. The retail field contains three silicone ear ideas with measurement choices for small, medium, and enormous.
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It comes with Google Fast Pair help and magnetic controls for comfort
The OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 packs 12.4mm dynamic bass drivers, the identical as what we final noticed on the Z2 mannequin again in 2022. Out of the field, the Bullets Wireless Z3 sounds first rate, with a balanced method that yields clear and pure vocals to some extent. However, devices sound is not distinct and well-rendered. The treble is obvious and prolonged. However, audiophiles who actually respect listening to the nuances in music could not like this one. The neckband handles adjustments in quantity properly, from quiet passages to loud music.
The lack of ANC is noticeable, nevertheless, when utilizing the neckband in crowded locations. OnePlus has added AI-powered Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC), however that performs a significant function solely throughout calls. I examined the Bullets Wireless Z3 with music titles like “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish to check the bass, however the neckband didn’t impress because the bass muddies the combination. For testing mids and vocals, I performed “Hello” by Adele, and the neckband struggled to deal with mid-range readability and vocal dynamics. However, the Bullets Wireless Z3 simply managed the treble take a look at with the Hotel California title by Eagles, the place the gang noise was separated properly. Lastly, I performed the Bohemian Rhapsody title by Queen to check layered harmonies and dynamic shifts in instrumentation, and the Bullets Wireless Z3 was everywhere.
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OnePlus claims it will probably ship as much as 36 hours of music playback at 50% quantity
The neckband, nevertheless, excels in calls, and you may rely on it if you happen to’re somebody who steadily must be on lengthy calls all through the day. It packs a 220mAh battery and is claimed to ship 36 hours of audio playback and as much as 21 hours of name time. The bonus is that the neckband additionally options quick charging, and OnePlus claims that 10 minutes of charging can provide as much as 27 hours of playback. Well, I could not take a look at the Bullets Wireless Z3 for lengthy calls as a result of who needs to be on a name on a regular basis, however I attempted the neckband for just a few calls and beloved the readability. The ENC characteristic is useful for controlling ambient noise, though it does not match ANC in any means. The largest power of the Z3 neckband is the way in which it handles calls – it is simply seamless.
The neckband presents first rate battery life, and through my testing, it delivered as much as 30 hours of music playback on a single cost.
The utilization was a combination of music, calls, and streaming playback. Interestingly, the neckband, with a few 35 % cost, can final a full day with related use. Overall, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 does not impress in music efficiency, nevertheless it delivers wonderful name readability.
The OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 is now out there in India at Rs. 1,699. At this worth, it is a fairly whole lot for many who nonetheless desire the consolation of neckbands. The audio output is considerably balanced, however the place this gadget shines is name readability. Battery backup can be strong on this one, and fast-charging help is the cherry on prime. In the funds neckband class in India, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 nonetheless presents a compelling worth proposition, together with balanced efficiency credentials and a stable battery backup.