OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 review: Deep bass and outstanding battery life make these earphones a steal deal

India Today

4 days ago

Walk into any store looking for good earphones and chances are the salesperson will show you a bunch of True Wireless (TWS) earbuds, or maybe even a pair of over-ear headphones. The once-popular wired and semi-wired Bluetooth earphones have quietly slipped into the background. However, they are not forgotten. There are still users who love to go the old-school way, those who appreciate the reliability of wired or neckband-style earphones. They don't want to constantly worry about misplacing tiny earbuds or their limited battery life.advertisementAnd for these users, OnePlus, while actively expanding its audio portfolio with TWS options across various price points, still makes and refreshes its neckband options. It has recently launched the Bullets Wireless Z3 in India. Coming after a near three-year-long hiatus, the sequel to the Bullets Wireless Z2 s brings in some significant upgrades in audio quality, battery life and, a few tweaks in design. But most importantly, the pricing is now more affordable, down from Rs 1,999 for Z2 to Rs 1,699 for the Z3.Now, we will be talking more about the features and how they perform in the real world, but before that, here's a quick glance at what the Z3 earphones bring to the table. For starters, you get 12.4mm dynamic drivers, support for Bluetooth 5.4 and Google Fast Pair, and IP55 splash resistance—ideal for active users. The 220mAh battery boasts an impressive 36 hours of playback, at least on paper, and a 10-minute charge gives you up to 27 hours of listening. Audio codec support includes both AAC and SBC, setting the stage for a solid wireless experience on a budget.OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 look and feeladvertisement
The OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 keep things simple on the design front. In fact, they look almost identical to their predecessor—the original Z and Z2. That said, there are some subtle refinements: the control buttons now have a matte finish, and the wires connecting the earbuds have a slight texture to them. The neckband feels lightweight weighing 26 grams and is comfortable enough to wear all day.Over the past few days, I have used the Z3 as my primary earphones during commutes, work calls, and while doing chores around the house. Not once did they feel cumbersome or slip out of my ears. That is also one of the biggest advantage of neckbands—you just wear them and forget they are even there.
For this review I used the Mambo Black variant, which has a clean, all black look with some red accents on the buttons. If you like a bit of colour, the Samba Red option is also available and adds a nice bit of flair. Still, I do wish OnePlus had introduced some fresh design elements instead of sticking so closely to the same old look.Now, let's talk about controls. Both the Z2 and Z3 follow the same three-button layout: volume up, volume down, and a multifunction button for play/pause and pairing. It is a familiar setup, but I honestly miss the original Bullets Wireless design, where the volume controls were placed along the wire and the power/Bluetooth controls were located on the neckband itself. That older layout felt more intuitive and easier to operate—especially during workouts or while walking or driving.The buds attach to each other magnetically and allow for quick auto power on/off, which is convenient. The magnets are decent and pause music when snapped together. However, while the magnetic control seems to be the best way right now for a quick pause or power off, it is not ideal for clumsy hands or bumpy rides. I noticed that during commutes or while doing chores, a slight tug or jostle would separate the buds. This ends up waking the earphones and reconnecting them to the phone which could drain the battery unknowingly.
Now this problem is not unique to the Z3—I have experienced the same issue with the Z2 and even the original Bullets Wireless Z. It is more of a general limitation with magnet-based controls. Having a dedicated power switch could be more helpful.advertisementOnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 soundNow, coming to the sound. As mentioned earlier, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 offer a snug fit, and while there is no active noise cancellation, the passive noise isolation is surprisingly impressive. During commutes or while working in a moderately noisy environment, the earphones helped me in reducing most ambient noises to a level that didn't interfere with my listening experience.In terms of music playback, the Z3 deliver a sound signature that leans slightly towards bass but still tries to maintain balance. By balanced, I mean that no frequency feels aggressively boosted or overly recessed. The bass has definitely improved compared to previous generations, offering a decent thump in most tracks. It is not overpowering, but it gives a low-end presence that many budget earphones struggle with.
advertisementHowever, while the bass is impressive, the overall sound stage could be better. While listening to tracks with layered vocals or intricate instrumentation—like Rihanna's Umbrella, Ed Sheeran's Sapphire, Bollywood hits like Ilahi, Oh Ho Ho Ho by Sukhbir, or even fast-paced K-pop like BTS's Mic Drop or ON, —there is a noticeable muddiness in the mids and vocals. The clarity drops a bit when multiple elements are playing at once, making the overall audio feel flat and a little congested.Now, to be fair, at under Rs 2,000, I was not expecting premium-grade sound. And for casual listening—be it lo-fi, podcasts, or chart-toppers—the overall sound quality is decent. The Z3 manage to offer clear sound and enjoyable playback, if you keep aside the technicalities of the audio details.OnePlus has also included AI-powered call noise cancellation, which cuts down on noise to offer clear and stable audio quality during calls. During my use, I faced no issues with Bluetooth pairing or stability. Whether taking calls on the move or switching between music and voice assistants, everything worked smoothly without noticeable dropouts.That said, it is worth noting that the earphones do not support simultaneous multi-device connectivity. While not exactly a dealbreaker at this price point, it is something to keep in mind if you frequently switch between, say, a laptop and phone. You will need to manually disconnect from one device before connecting to another.advertisementOnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 batteryNow let's talk about the battery. This is also one of the biggest upgrades in the Z3 compared to the Z2. OnePlus claims the Bullets Wireless Z3 can deliver up to 36 hours of playback at around 50 per cent volume—and in my experience, that is pretty accurate. With a daily usage of about 4 to 5 hours, a single full charge easily lasted me through an entire workweek without needing a recharge.What's also impressive is the fast-charging support. Just 10 minutes of charging gave me roughly 35 percent battery, which was more than enough to get through a full day of use.
Should you buy the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3?If you're looking for a reliable pair of earphones with really good battery performance under Rs 2,000, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 should be high on your list. The bass is punchy and satisfying—definitely a step up from past iterations—and while the overall soundstage is not the most refined, it is more than good enough for everyday listening. The sound remains enjoyable and clear for most genres.Battery life is a major highlight with the convenience of fast charging. The design is functional rather than flashy, and while the buttons could have been more intuitive, these are minor quirks in an otherwise solid package. All things considered, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 stand as one of the best earphones you can buy under Rs 2,000 particularly if you are eying neckband-style ones.- Ends