OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 Review: Budget Neckband With Stellar Battery and Clean Audio

The OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 are the latest iteration of OnePlus’ neckband-style earbuds. At first glance, they may look like a copy-paste of the older Bullets Wireless Z2, and in many ways, they are. But OnePlus has made just enough tweaks—like improved Bluetooth, better battery life, and a few app-enabled features—to keep this INR 1,699 offering relevant in 2025.

🔹 Design and Comfort

If you've seen the Z2, you've seen the Z3. It's the same flexible neckband with chunky stalks, magnetic earbuds, and a USB-C port on the side. But it remains practical and comfortable for all-day wear, with an IP55 rating for water and dust resistance.

The physical buttons on the neckband are a welcome nod to old-school usability—great for workouts or when wearing gloves.

🔹 Software & Features

The Z3 now supports the HeyMelody app, adding some basic functionality like:

OnePlus 3D Audio (virtual surround effect)

BassWave control

A few EQ presets

Firmware updates (finally!)

Sadly, there’s still no custom EQ and no button remapping, and there's no multi-device pairing despite Bluetooth 5.4.

🔹 Audio Quality

The audio is driven by the same 12.4mm drivers with SBC/AAC support. Default tuning is bass-heavy—too much for some, especially in dialogue-rich content. However, the BassWave slider helps tame the boominess and improves clarity.

Midrange is decent, treble is safe but lacks sparkle. Still, with tuning, you can get surprisingly enjoyable sound for this price range.

🔹 Mic Quality

Call quality is one of the Z3’s best features. Voices sound natural and clean even in noisy environments. However, a persistent background hiss and occasional pops detract from the experience. A software fix could make this a budget-class leader for calls.

🔹 No ANC, No Transparency

The Z3 lacks Active Noise Cancellation and transparency mode—common at this price. Passive isolation is acceptable but not ideal for noisy environments.

🔹 Latency & Connectivity

Latency is low enough for casual video and audio use—even on PCs. Connection stability is rock-solid, but no multi-point support is a missed opportunity.

Battery Life

This is where the Z3 shines. Claimed 36 hours of playtime? Real-world tests exceeded 37 hours. A 10-minute charge gets you over 28 hours—perfect for users who hate frequent charging.

And unlike TWS earbuds, neckbands age better since they don’t suffer from battery degradation as quickly.

Verdict: Worth It If You Still Believe in Neckbands

The OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 is not revolutionary, but it doesn't need to be. It's a durable, long-lasting, and functional product at a very accessible price. If you’re not sold on the TWS hype and want something practical with great battery life, solid mic quality, and reliable performance, this is a great option—especially for students, commuters, and fitness enthusiasts.