OnePlus Buds Z2 Review: Affordable Earbuds With Punchy Sound and Noise Cancellation
OnePlus has come a long way in the true wireless earphone market, evolving from its initial underwhelming offering to producing some of the most compelling options in India. The OnePlus Buds Z2, priced at Rs. 4,999, is their latest attempt to dominate the sub-Rs. 5,000 segment, boasting active noise cancellation as a key addition to its feature set. This makes it a direct successor to the excellent OnePlus Buds Z, released in late 2020. But does the Z2 truly live up to the expectations set by its predecessor and offer the best value for money in its price range? Let’s dive into this detailed review to find out.
Familiar Design with a Twist
The OnePlus Buds Z2 continues the design language established by its predecessor, featuring an in-ear fit with proper noise isolation. This design choice is particularly important for the effectiveness of its active noise cancellation. The package comes with three pairs of silicone ear tips for a personalized and comfortable fit, along with a short USB Type-C charging cable.
While the OnePlus Buds Z2 shares a remarkably similar appearance with the OnePlus Buds Z, there are subtle yet important differences. First, the presence of grilles covering the inner microphones for ANC on the Z2 distinguishes it from its predecessor. Another clear giveaway is the color scheme. The OnePlus Buds Z2 arrives in black and white, with black being a new option not available for the Buds Z.
My review unit sported an all-black aesthetic, although the glossy, reflective finish was a fingerprint magnet, requiring frequent cleaning both for the earpieces and the charging case. The charging port and pairing button are conveniently located at the back of the case, while the OnePlus logo sits on the top of the lid. An indicator light faces forward, providing visual feedback on the charging status.
The compact size of the case makes it easy to carry in your pocket, and the IPX4 rating ensures water resistance for the case itself. The earpieces, on the other hand, boast an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance, offering a higher level of protection against the elements. Each earpiece weighs in at just 4.5g and houses three microphones dedicated to ANC and voice pickup.
Touch-sensitive controls on the outer sides of the earpieces provide a convenient way to manage playback. These controls are customizable both through the HeyMelody app and the native Bluetooth settings on OnePlus smartphones. This allows you to manage music playback, switch between ANC and transparency modes, activate your smartphone’s default voice assistant, and switch between your last two paired devices with simple gestures.
For users of OnePlus smartphones, the Bluetooth settings menu offers even more granular control. You can check the battery level of the earpieces and charging case, customize the controls, toggle between the two ANC modes (Normal and Max), switch to transparency mode, select the active Bluetooth codec, enable in-ear detection to automatically play and pause music, conduct an earpiece fit test, and update the firmware.
Although the HeyMelody app may appear a bit unpolished, it functions well with the Buds Z2 on both iOS and Android. However, the app and OnePlus smartphone settings both lack the ability to customize the equalizer, a feature often found in higher-end earphones.
Key Features of the OnePlus Buds Z2:
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): Two levels of ANC (Normal and Max) effectively reduce ambient noise for a more immersive audio experience.
- Transparency Mode: This mode allows you to hear your surroundings without removing your earbuds.
- Customizable Touch Controls: Control music playback, switch between ANC and transparency modes, activate your voice assistant, and more with intuitive touch gestures.
- IPX4 & IP55 Ratings: The case is IPX4 water-resistant, while the earbuds are IP55 dust and water-resistant, ensuring protection against everyday wear and tear.
- Dolby Atmos & Gaming Mode: These features are exclusive to select OnePlus smartphones (OnePlus 7 and newer), providing a more immersive audio experience and low latency for gaming.
- Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC and AAC Codecs: The latest Bluetooth standard ensures a stable and efficient connection.
- Google Fast Pair: For convenient pairing with Android devices.
- 11mm Dynamic Drivers: Deliver punchy and immersive sound with a frequency response range of 20-20,000Hz.
- Decent Battery Life: Enjoy up to 4 hours and 30 minutes of playtime with ANC enabled, with an additional four charges from the case for a total of 23 hours.
- Fast Charging: A 10-minute charge provides 5 hours of playtime, or essentially a full charge for the earbuds.
Punchy Sound and Effective ANC
While the performance of the OnePlus Buds Z2 is largely device-independent thanks to its support for the SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs, pairing them with a OnePlus 9 unlocks the full potential with Dolby Atmos and low-latency mode. Although I primarily tested the earphones with an iPhone 13, utilizing the HeyMelody app for preference adjustments proved straightforward.
The Buds Z2’s sonic signature aligns with expectations for an affordable true wireless headset, featuring prominent boosts in the bass and treble frequencies with a tendency to subdue the mid-range. This characteristic, however, is precisely what many listeners seek in budget earphones, ensuring a pleasing sonic experience for a wide audience.
Sound Quality:
- Bass: The bass response on the OnePlus Buds Z2 is impressive for its price point, delivering a powerful and punchy low-end with a noticeable attack and reverb.
- Treble: The treble also exhibits a notable presence, offering a crisp and detailed sound with good clarity.
- Mid-range: The mid-range takes a backseat to the bass and treble, which can sometimes result in vocals sounding a bit recessed and less prominent.
For instance, listening to Glitter by Keys N Krates revealed the aggressive and powerful low-end in the beat, while the melody’s ’70s inspiration was delivered with clarity and distinction. However, the mid-range felt comparatively softer and duller, leading to a slightly recessed vocal presence. This was less noticeable with genres that prioritize the melody over vocals, but listeners who analyze lyrics might find the mid-range lacking.
With the fast-paced and bass-heavy Dirty Sexy Money (Mesto Remix) by David Guetta, the OnePlus Buds Z2 delivered an enjoyable sonic experience. Its loud and driven sound effortlessly kept pace with fast tracks, showcasing a refined bass that transcended the rough, unfinished quality found in many earphones at this price point.
Activating Dolby Atmos on a OnePlus 9 resulted in a more open and airy soundscape compared to high-resolution music playback on Apple Music. The low-latency mode, engaged by enabling Pro Gaming Mode on a compatible OnePlus smartphone, provided a slight improvement in latency compared to the standard settings, making the Buds Z2 somewhat functional for mobile gaming.
Active Noise Cancellation:
The Buds Z2’s ANC performance, while not matching the capabilities of pricier options like the OnePlus Buds Pro or the Nothing Ear 1, surpasses the offerings found in other sub-Rs. 5,000 true wireless earphones.
The two levels of ANC – Normal and Max – didn’t present a notable difference in my experience. Nevertheless, both settings provided a satisfying level of noise reduction in both indoor and outdoor environments, enhancing the experience for music, audiobooks, and calls.
Transparency mode allowed for easier awareness of surroundings, although my own voice sounded unnaturally amplified and strange through the microphone. I found it more comfortable to simply remove the earphones during conversations.
Call Quality:
Call clarity and connection stability were decent on the OnePlus Buds Z2. The earphones exhibited reliable performance at distances of up to 4m from the source device, making them suitable for calls while moving around.
Verdict: A Solid Choice within a Budget
The OnePlus Buds Z2 reinforces the company’s commitment to delivering exceptional value in the true wireless earphone market. These earbuds offer a punchy and enjoyable sound signature, effective active noise cancellation, and useful features like fast charging and Dolby Atmos (for compatible OnePlus smartphones). While the complete feature set requires a recent OnePlus phone, the Buds Z2 remains a compelling option for those with a strict Rs. 5,000 budget, even if you own an iPhone or a non-OnePlus Android smartphone.
Although Realme offers competitive products with similar features and specifications at even lower prices, OnePlus maintains a level of competency and quality that sets it apart in this price segment. The Buds Z2 lacks significant downsides, making it a worthy consideration for budget-conscious audiophiles. However, if you’re willing to stretch your budget, the Nothing Ear 1 (or a discounted Jabra Elite 75t) offers a superior audio experience.
In conclusion, the OnePlus Buds Z2 represents a solid entry point for those seeking an affordable yet feature-rich true wireless experience. It’s a well-rounded package that delivers punchy sound, effective noise cancellation, and a comfortable fit. However, if your budget allows, exploring higher-end alternatives could offer a more refined and immersive audio experience.
