Neckband wireless audio series have been all the rage in the Indian market, and OnePlus’ Bullets series has also done well. According to Counterpoint Research, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 model was the best-selling neckband in the Indian market in 2022, accounting for 14% of the total neckband sales. However, over time, TWS have come to dominate, and they come in a variety of sizes and prices.
OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3, the successor of Bullets Wireless Z2, has finally made its way to India. OnePlus’ Bullets wireless audio series doesn’t need much introduction, as these neckbands have been around for years. This is the first time the company’s neckband line has been discontinued in nearly three years.
Notably, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 is the first audio product to be produced locally in partnership with Optiemus Electronics under its new Made in India AIoT initiative. The Bullets Wireless Z3 basically looks and feels the same as the Z2, but includes a few upgrades that I’ll discuss in this review. If you still prefer the neck strap to the TWS, be sure to check out the full review before purchasing this product.
OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 Design
Starting with the design, there’s honestly nothing new to write home about – as I said, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 feels just like the Z2. The neckband features the signature magnetic switch feature, and magnets on the back of the earphones pause your music when not in use. They’re designed for all-day wear and feature skin-friendly athletic silicone material. The ergonomic curved design also ensures a perfect fit. Whether you’re heading to the office or the gym, you can wear the neckband around your neck all day without worrying about it falling off, thanks to the magnetic lock.
Bullets Wireless Z3 features a skin-friendly silicone surface
It is launched in two colors – Mambo Midnight and Samba Sunset. I received the latter for review and it looks great, definitely better than the blue we saw on the Z2. The left side of the neckband contains all the physical buttons for volume adjustments and track changes, as well as a USB Type-C port for charging. There is an LED indicator light that lights up red and white. The buttons are tactile and provide good feedback.
The neck strap weighs 26 grams and measures 124.3 x 174.5 x 13.1 mm. OnePlus has added an IP55 water and sweat resistance rating, which means the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 is suitable for outdoor use and can withstand rain and splashes. The neck strap is comfortable and tangle-free. They’re easy to carry and don’t require an extra charging case, which means they can hang around your neck all day without any issues.
Support Bluetooth 5.4, range up to 10 meters
OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 app support and features
The OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 is getting app support, which is great – Oppo’s HeyMelody app is back, providing all the settings in one place. The good news is that the app is available for Android and iOS users. While Android users can access some basic features under Bluetooth settings without installing an app, it’s best to download the app if you want to personalize the audio output. OnePlus users can get most of the settings in the Bluetooth section.
Non-OnePlus users can download the HeyMelody app to personalize it
Through the HeyMelody app, you can customize the control of the earbuds’ middle button, such as pressing the middle button once to play or pause, double the middle button to skip to the next track, double the middle button to skip to the previous track, and long press to launch the voice assistant. For calls, you can answer or hang up by pressing the middle button. To reject a call, just press and hold the middle button. All these features can be adjusted through the HeyMelody app. You also get the OnePlus 3D Audio feature, which provides an immersive sound environment, but to be honest, it’s more gimmicky and nothing concrete – I’ll discuss it in detail in the performance section.
The app also offers equalizer settings where you can choose from Balanced, Serenade, Bass, and Bold. There’s also BassWave that dynamically enhances bass. Considering there’s a full-fledged app for controlling the Bullets Wireless Z3, I was hoping for a dedicated custom equalizer setting. Bullets Wireless Z3 supports Google Quick Pairing for a seamless pairing experience. The neckband supports AAC and SBC – which I’m not surprised considering the pricing. The retail box contains three silicone ear tips, available in small, medium and large sizes.
It comes with Google Quick Pair support and magnetic controls for easy use
OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 performance and battery life
The OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 feature 12.4mm dynamic bass drivers, the same ones we last saw on the 2022 Z2 model. Out of the box, the Bullets Wireless Z3 sound great, taking a balanced approach that produces clear and natural sound to an extent. However, the sound of instruments is unclear and poorly rendered. Treble is clear and extended. Audiophiles who truly appreciate musical nuances may not like this, however. The neckband handles volume changes well, from quiet passages to louder music.
However, the lack of ANC becomes apparent when using the neckband in crowded areas. OnePlus has added AI-driven ambient noise cancellation (ENC), but this only matters during calls. I tested the Bullets Wireless Z3 with songs like Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy” to test the bass, but the neckband failed to impress as the bass cluttered the mix. To test the mids and vocals, I played Adele’s “Hello” and the neckband struggled to handle the mids clarity and vocal dynamics. However, the Bullets Wireless Z3 easily passed the treble test of Eagles’ “Hotel California” and crowd noise was well isolated. Finally, I played Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” to test the instrument’s layered harmonies and dynamics, and the Bullets Wireless Z3 performed brilliantly.
OnePlus claims it can deliver up to 36 hours of music playback at 50% volume
However, the neckband performs well for calls, and you can rely on it if you’re someone who regularly has to talk for long periods of time throughout the day. It comes with a 220mAh battery that is claimed to provide 36 hours of audio playback and up to 21 hours of talk time. An added bonus is that the neckband also features fast charging, with OnePlus claiming that a 10-minute charge will provide up to 27 hours of playtime. Well, I couldn’t test the Bullets Wireless Z3 for long calls because who wants to talk all the time, but I tried the neckband style a few times and liked the clarity. The ENC feature comes in handy for controlling ambient noise, although it doesn’t match ANC at all. The biggest advantage of the Z3 neckband is the way it handles calls – seamlessly.
The neckband offers decent battery life, with up to 30 hours of music playback on a single charge in my testing.
Its usage is a mix of music, calls and streaming. Interestingly, the neckband has about 35% charge and can last a full day with similar usage. Overall, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 didn’t impress in terms of music performance, but it delivered excellent call clarity.
OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 review: Conclusion
OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 is now available in India priced at Rs. 1,699. For those who still prefer the comfort of a neck strap, this price is a pretty good deal. The audio output is somewhat balanced, but the highlight of the device is call clarity. The product’s battery backup is also strong, and fast charging support is top of the list. In the budget neckband category in India, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 still offers a compelling value proposition, along with balanced performance credentials and solid battery backup.
