The neckband category, which was once the norm for wireless earbuds, has become a rarity in 2025, thanks to brands pushing TWS earbuds across every price point. And despite many consumers still preferring the form factor to the fiddly TWS buds, nobody is making neckband earphones anymore, except OnePlus. The company has just released the successor to its beloved Bullets lineup: the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3.
At just INR 1,699, the Bullets Wireless Z3 hits the sweet spot for neckband earphones. After testing them for over a week, here’s my in-depth review. To put it simply, they’re a fantastic value. Let’s find out why.
OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 Review
Summary
The OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 are a rare breed of neckband earbuds that get everything right. The design is sleek, they stay securely in your ears, the buds are super comfortable, the sound is decent, and the battery life is fantastic.
Design & Hardware
If you used the previous Bullets Z2, then the Z3 would look familiar. OnePlus has stuck to the same aesthetic as before, and it’s honestly pretty fantastic. There’s no other way to put it: the neckband form factor is the most comfortable way to carry earphones.
They don’t take up any space in your pocket, and when you’re not listening, the earbuds snap together magnetically, triggering auto-pause. The convenience of not losing or dropping the earbuds while you’re gymming or commuting is another lifesaver as well.
The earbuds weigh just 23g, making them super comfortable to wear, and the silicone tips fit snugly in the ears. There are also additional ear tips if the medium ones aren’t the right size for you.
As for build quality, the Bullets Z3 are solid, featuring metal for the stem and plastic for the earbuds. You also get the IP55 water and dust resistant rating, which I put to the test in a sweaty gym session, and encountered no issues.
Speaking of controls, thankfully, there are no touchpads on the buds. Instead, you get physical buttons on the left stem, which provide tactile feedback and are super easy to remember.
Companion App & Features
The OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 are controlled by the HeyMelody app, available on both iOS and Android. However, if you own a OnePlus or OPPO device, the same settings are available in the Bluetooth settings page.
Unlike its predecessor, there are several options to tweak with the Bullets Z3. First, you get OnePlus’s 3D audio feature, which works with supported apps like Apple Music and gives users a more immersive listening experience. While the difference is noticeable, it’s important to note that I found the music with this feature turned on to be less crisp.
You also get different sound presets within the app, each serving a different purpose. Unfortunately, there is no custom EQ feature.
Other than that, there’s a page to learn all the button controls, which vary depending on whether you’re playing music or on a call. Just note that you cannot customize any controls.
Sound & ANC
Sound quality is the most important aspect of any earbuds, and for the price, the Bullets Z3 are surprisingly good. Sure, you get the signature OnePlus sound profile of overpowering bass, but the good news is that you can turn the bass down with the app. I recommend setting the BassWave feature to -5 or -6 for the best experience.
Once adjusted, the 12.44 mm drivers produce a sound that is quite good in the mid-range, with vocals that sound pretty clear. The treble holds up well, too, delivering a decently detailed soundstage.
As for ANC—there’s none. The Bullets Z3 only come with passive noise cancellation, and depending on the fit, it works pretty well. I was never bothered by outside noise, even in loud environments like the metro.
Finally, I was pretty impressed with the call quality, as everyone reported hearing my voice loud and clear.
Battery Life
Battery life has always been a strong point of the neckband earphones, and the Bullets Z3 are no different. That’s because the earbuds deliver an impressive 36 hours of battery life on a single charge, which is something no TWS earphones can match. I easily went through a whole week of listening without any battery anxiety.
Finally, when it was time to plug in the Z3 using the Type-C port, ten minutes of charging provided 27 hours of battery life.
Should you buy the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3?
Neckbands aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but at INR 1,699, the Bullets Wireless Z3 make a strong case for anyone looking for wireless earphones on a budget. Whether you need them for work, commuting, or gym sessions, the Bullets Z3 have something for everyone. The design is sleek, they don’t fall out of the ears, the buds are super comfortable, the sound is decent, and the battery life is fantastic. For these reasons, the Bullets Z3 gets a thumbs up from me.
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