OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC Review: Is a Neckband Still Worth It?

The OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC pairs 45dB hybrid ANC with long neckband battery life. Here is who should still choose it over TWS earbuds, based on official specs and published reviews.

By Gadget Soch·17 Oct 2026·Updated 19 Oct 2026·10 min read

The OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC is a neckband-style Bluetooth earphone with up to 45dB hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC), 12.4mm titanium-coated drivers and a claimed 28 hours of playback with ANC off. Based on OnePlus’s official specifications and published reviews, it remains a sensible pick for people who still prefer a neckband over truly wireless (TWS) earbuds, as long as you are willing to adjust the sound with the app’s equaliser.

Its biggest strengths are battery life, fast charging, call quality and the convenience of earpieces that hang around your neck instead of living in a case. The main compromises are a bass-heavy default sound, ANC that works best on low-pitched noise, and only SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs. It is also an older model: OnePlus unveiled it at its Summer Launch Event in 2023, with sales starting in August that year.

How this article was put together: it is based on OnePlus India’s official product page and named third-party reviews, all checked on 17 October 2026. Gadget Soch has not tested this OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC hands-on, and prices change often, so please check the current price on Amazon.in.

Quick verdict

Best for: commuters, gym-goers and people on long calls who like a neckband that never needs a case and lasts more than a day of listening
Skip if: you want a pocketable TWS design, LDAC or aptX codecs, strong cancellation of voices and high-pitched noise, or low gaming latency on a non-OnePlus phone
Key strengths: 45dB hybrid ANC (OnePlus lab figure), up to 28 hours of playback with ANC off, 10-minute fast charge, three-mic AI call noise cancellation, IP55 rating, dual-device connection and Google Fast Pair
Key limitations: default tuning that GSMArena calls bass-heavy and dark, ANC that is weaker on mid and high frequencies, SBC and AAC only, and the 94ms low-latency figure applies only with selected OnePlus phones

OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC specifications

OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC key specs at a glance — OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC key specifications, summarised from the table in this review.

Specification	OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC
Form factor	Neckband in-ear earphones with magnetic earpieces
Drivers	12.4mm dynamic, titanium-coated diaphragm (not 100% titanium, per OnePlus)
Noise cancellation	Hybrid ANC, up to 45dB (OnePlus lab test), effective range up to 3,500Hz
Microphones	3 mics with AI call noise cancellation
Battery, ANC off	Up to 28 hours music (50% volume)
Battery, ANC on	Up to 20 hours music (50% volume)
Talk time	Up to 16 hours (ANC off)
Fast charging	10 minutes for up to 20 hours of music (5V 2A adapter or higher)
Charging port	USB Type-C
Bluetooth	5.2, range up to 10m
Codecs	SBC and AAC
Latency	Down to 94ms with selected OnePlus phones
Water and dust	IP55
Multipoint	Dual connection, switch with a double press of the function button
Fast pairing	Google Fast Pair (OnePlus 6 or later on Android 11 or later)
Companion app	HeyMelody (Android 7.0+ and iOS 13.2+)

Weight, colours, codecs and the charging port are not listed on OnePlus’s own page. FoneArena reports a weight of 29.2g, a USB Type-C port, SBC and AAC codecs, and two colours, Grand Green and Boomin Black. Battery figures are OnePlus’s claims at 50% volume. Check the current price of the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC on Amazon.in

Neckband or TWS: who still prefers a neckband in 2026?

TWS earbuds dominate new launches, but neckbands keep loyal users. There is no charging case to carry or lose, and when you take the earpieces out they hang around your neck, which is handy for quick conversations at a shop counter, in the office or at the gym.

Battery life is the second reason. A neckband carries a larger battery in the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC, so OnePlus can claim 28 hours with ANC off from the earphones alone, while TWS earbuds usually reach similar totals only by counting the case. GSMArena’s reviewer also argues that this long battery life should keep the Z2 ANC usable for years, compared with roughly one to two years for typical TWS earbuds.

The trade-offs: a neckband is bulkier in a pocket, the cables can brush your face, and GSMArena’s reviewer found the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC slightly irritating on bare skin at first. For discreet, pocketable listening, TWS makes more sense. For all-day wear, a neckband still has the edge.

Design, fit and controls

The Z2 ANC uses a flexible, rubberised neckband with the controls on the left side. FoneArena describes a lightweight 29.2g build and lists small, medium and large ear tips. Try all three, because a good seal blocks noise before ANC starts and is where much of the bass comes from.

The earpieces have magnetic backs that snap together. GSMArena says joining them powers the earphones off, while FoneArena describes the magnets as pausing and resuming playback, so the exact behaviour may depend on firmware and settings. Either way, the practical benefit is the same: there is no case to fumble with, and the earpieces stay together when not in use.

The physical buttons are a plus for anyone who dislikes touch controls. According to FoneArena, the middle button handles play and pause, calls and track skipping, a long press switches between ANC and transparency mode, and separate volume buttons sit alongside. GSMArena found the buttons pleasant to use. The IP55 rating means the neckband can handle sweat and light rain, but it is not designed to be submerged.

Noise cancellation: what 45dB hybrid ANC means in practice

Hybrid ANC combines an outward-facing (feedforward) microphone with one inside the ear (feedback), so it can correct noise the outer mic misses. OnePlus quotes up to 45dB of reduction across a range up to 3,500Hz, measured in its own lab.

That frequency range is the key detail. Most ANC works best on low, steady sounds, and both published reviews reflect this. GSMArena found the ANC reasonably effective against engine rumble, fans and air conditioners, but weak against mid and high-frequency sounds such as voices. FoneArena found it worked well outdoors and in noisy places and said wind noise reduction was effective, describing it as noticeably stronger than typical neckbands with lower ANC ratings.

The reviewers disagree on transparency mode: FoneArena found it useful, while GSMArena called it muffled.

Sound quality and why the EQ matters

The 12.4mm driver is large for an in-ear earphone, which makes strong bass easier to produce. FoneArena found the sound fairly good for the price with solid bass and clean output at high volume.

GSMArena was more critical. Its reviewer found the default tuning bass-heavy, muddy and dark, with weak treble, and felt even the Balanced preset leaned on bass. The fix was the six-band custom equaliser in the HeyMelody app, which made the sound much more balanced and engaging. The reviewer still found detail and soundstage underwhelming, so do not expect audiophile results.

Battery life and fast charging

OnePlus claims up to 28 hours of music with ANC off, 20 hours with ANC on and 16 hours of talk time, all at 50% volume. Its fast-charging claim is 20 hours of playback from a 10-minute charge, which requires a 5V 2A charger or higher.

GSMArena’s battery test came close to the claims: 19 hours 38 minutes with ANC and 27 hours 7 minutes without. After a 10-minute top-up, it measured 14 hours 36 minutes with ANC and 20 hours 21 minutes without, so the 20-hour fast-charge figure applies with ANC off. FoneArena saw just over 16 hours with ANC at 50 to 60% volume and reported a full charge taking a little over half an hour.

Calls, latency and connectivity

Calls are a strong point. OnePlus uses three microphones with AI call noise cancellation, and GSMArena rated voice clarity as very good with little background noise, noting only an occasional popping sound. FoneArena also found background noise was reduced to a reasonable degree.

Latency depends on your phone. OnePlus quotes down to 94ms only with selected OnePlus phones. GSMArena found latency very low on OnePlus devices when an app was detected as a game, but high otherwise, which was fine for video but not for gaming. FoneArena notes there is no dedicated low-latency mode. Bluetooth 5.2, dual-device connection and Google Fast Pair are all supported, and GSMArena found the connection stable.

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

Who should buy the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC — Who the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC suits, summarised from this review.

Buy it if you prefer a neckband, take long calls, commute in noisy buses or metros, or want earphones that rarely need charging
Buy it if you use a OnePlus phone and want low-latency gaming and app-free control through Bluetooth settings
Skip it if you want LDAC or aptX for higher-bitrate audio from an Android phone
Skip it if you mostly want to block voices and chatter in an office, where its ANC is weaker
Skip it if you want a newer model or a compact TWS design that fits in a small pocket

Alternatives worth comparing

OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3: the 2025 successor, launched in India in June 2025. According to FoneArena, it has 12.4mm drivers, Bluetooth 5.4, IP55 and up to 36 hours of playback, but no ANC, only call noise cancellation. Choose it only if battery matters more than noise cancellation.

realme Buds Wireless 3: another ANC neckband, launched in India in July 2023. FoneArena lists 13.6mm drivers, up to 30dB ANC, up to 40 hours of playback, Bluetooth 5.3, SBC and AAC, a claimed 45ms latency, IP55 and dual-device connection. It promises more battery but lower ANC depth.

realme Buds T310: if you are open to TWS, this pair offers up to 46dB hybrid ANC, a 12.4mm driver, Bluetooth 5.4, IP55 and dual-device connection. Our realme Buds T310 review explains its strengths and limits.

What to check before you order

OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC buying checklist — What to check before you buy the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC.

Colour: the Amazon title does not name a colour, so confirm whether the listing is Grand Green or Boomin Black before you add it to your cart
Seller and warranty: OnePlus’s product page does not state warranty terms, so check the listing and the seller, and note that OnePlus says water and sweat damage is not covered
Charger: the 10-minute fast-charge claim needs a 5V 2A adapter or higher, so check the box contents on the listing and keep a suitable USB Type-C charger handy
Phone compatibility: Google Fast Pair needs a OnePlus 6 or later on Android 11 or later, and the 94ms latency applies only with selected OnePlus phones
App: install HeyMelody (or use the built-in earphone settings on OnePlus phones) to set up the EQ

When you are ready, see the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC listing on Amazon.in and confirm the colour shown there.

Frequently asked questions

Is the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC good for noise cancellation?

It is good against low, steady noise such as engines, fans and air conditioners, according to GSMArena and FoneArena. It is weaker on voices and higher-pitched sounds, so it will not silence an office chat.

Does it support LDAC or aptX?

No. It supports SBC and AAC only, according to FoneArena and GSMArena.

Can it connect to two devices at once?

Yes. OnePlus supports dual connection, and you double-press the function button to switch between devices.

Should I buy a neckband or TWS earbuds?

Choose a neckband if you want long battery life, no case to carry and earpieces that hang around your neck. Choose TWS if portability and a discreet look matter more.

Final word

The OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC is not the newest neckband, but its combination of hybrid ANC, long battery life, fast charging and good call quality still makes it relevant for people who prefer neckbands. Set up the equaliser and keep expectations modest for voice cancellation. Check the current price of the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC on Amazon.in.