OnePlus has launched its latest neckband-style earphones, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC, along with the OnePlus Nord 3 5G and the OnePlus Nord CE 3 5G smartphones. The earphones are priced at Rs. 2,299 and offer features such as hybrid noise cancellation, fast charging, low latency mode, and IP55 water and sweat resistance. We got our hands on the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC and here are our first impressions.
Design and Comfort: Smooth and Ergonomic
The OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC have a familiar design that resembles the previous models of the Bullets Wireless series. The earphones have a flexible neckband with a smooth, skin-friendly material that feels comfortable to wear for long hours. The earbuds have a magnetic control feature that allows you to pause and resume playback by attaching and detaching them. The earbuds also have a curved ergonomic design that fits snugly in the ears and provides a good seal for noise isolation.
The earphones come with three pairs of silicone ear tips of different sizes to suit your preference. The earphones also have an IP55 rating for water and sweat resistance, which makes them suitable for workouts and outdoor activities. The earphones have a USB Type-C port for charging and a multifunction button that can be used to switch between noise cancellation modes, activate voice assistant, and answer or reject calls. The earphones also have a volume rocker that can be used to adjust the volume and skip tracks.
Sound Quality and Noise Cancellation: Rich and Clear
The OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC feature 12.4mm dynamic drivers with a titanium-coated dome that deliver rich sound and heavy bass. The earphones also have an anti-distortion algorithm that cleans up and sharpens the sound for a crystal clear listening experience. The earphones support AAC codec for high-quality wireless audio transmission.
The earphones also feature 45dB hybrid noise cancellation technology that combines feedforward and feedback noise cancellation microphones and a wide 3,500 Hz frequency to capture more sound. The earphones have three noise cancellation modes: ANC on, ANC off, and transparency mode. The ANC on mode reduces the ambient noise by up to 45dB, creating a quiet listening environment. The ANC off mode turns off the noise cancellation feature, allowing you to hear the natural sound. The transparency mode lets you hear the surroundings clearly without taking off the earphones, which is useful for situations where you need to be aware of your surroundings.
The earphones also have a three-mic design and AI call noise cancellation technology that adapts to your environment to block out background noise during calls. The earphones deliver clear voice quality and reduce echo and wind noise.
Battery Life and Connectivity: Long-lasting and Stable
The OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC claim to offer up to 28 hours of battery life with ANC off, 20 hours with ANC on, and 16 hours of talk time. The earphones also support fast charging technology that provides 20 hours of playback time with just 10 minutes of charging. The earphones have a battery indicator on the neckband that shows the battery level.
The earphones use Bluetooth 5.2 for wireless connectivity and support Google Fast Pair technology for quick pairing with OnePlus devices. The earphones also have a quick device switching feature that allows you to switch between two devices by double-pressing the multifunction button. The earphones also have a low latency mode that reduces the audio delay to 94ms, which is useful for gaming and streaming.
Verdict: A Value-for-Money Neckband
The OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC are a budget-friendly neckband-style earphones that offer premium features such as hybrid noise cancellation, fast charging, low latency mode, and IP55 water and sweat resistance. The earphones also deliver rich sound quality, clear voice quality, and long battery life. The earphones are compatible with Android and iOS devices and can be controlled via the OnePlus Buds app or the HeyMelody app. The earphones are available in two colors: black and blue.
If you are looking for a pair of neckband-style earphones that offer a good balance of performance, features, and price, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC are worth considering.