On OnePlus phones, the earbud functions can be controlled directly through the Bluetooth settings without having to install a separate app. Switching ANC modes only has a small effect on the audio quality. The sound is ever so slightly brighter and less bass-heavy with ANC off compared to on, and then further slightly brighter with transparency mode enabled. Based on firmware updates to the OnePlus Buds Z2, the above actions may be slightly modified, and the actual OTA content may be different from that specified.

The last model we tested with this design was incidentally the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 and now we have the updated version with ANC or active noise cancellation. At INR 2299, the India-exclusive Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC are only slightly more expensive than the Z2. That still makes them one of the cheapest wireless earbuds in the OnePlus range and the cheapest with ANC. Design and comfort A 10-minute charge keeps your music going for 5 hours. (5 hours of battery life is measured based on combination of earbuds and the case, with ANC mode turned on. A single 10-minute charge of the earbuds themselves delivers 2 hours of playtime only. Charging and battery test results are based on internal OnePlus laboratory results (25° C or 77° F). Test date: June 7, 2021. Fast charge your OnePlus Buds Z2 using a standard adapter or Type-C USB charging cable. Requires 5V~1.5A adapter or higher. Actual performance experienced by users may vary based on the specific charging environment conditions. The tonality of the sound is similar to OnePlus' recent products, with neutral-leaning mids and treble and over-the-top bass.During my testing, the latency performance was good for watching videos as the delay was barely noticeable when paired with an iPhone. Latency on Android was notably higher when using AAC and the audio also took longer to sync when unpausing or skipping but was fine when using SBC.

The ANC data comes from the OnePlus test laboratory. Actual performance will vary depending on user customization and environmental conditions.The Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC does not have a lot of features so options are limited here. You can switch between ANC on, off, and transparency mode. You can flip between the four EQ presets and also make your own. And finally, you can do very basic customizations of the physical switches.

To ensure the normal use of your earbuds, update your Wireless Earphones (ColorOS 11 or later, OxygenOS 12 or later), OnePlus Buds (OOS 11), or HeyMelody (Android 7.0 or later, iOS 13.2 or later) app to the latest version using your local app store. Enabling automatic updates is recommended to ensure you can use the latest software and functions.The Bullets Wireless Z2 has exceptional battery life. During my battery drain test, the headset ran continuously for 28.5 hours, which is very close to the 30 hours claimed by OnePlus. After a ten-minute charge, the headset went on for 20.4 hours, which is just over the 20 hours claimed by the company. With normal use, the headset should last well over a week on a single charge. Conclusion The high-end is disappointing. There simply isn't enough energy at the top end to balance out the sound, which especially makes the overall sound signature dark, muddy, and lopsided.