OnePlus Bullets Wireless review – in pictures

BARGAIN OF THE YEAR?

The OnePlus Bullets Wireless might very well be the tech bargain of the year. Much like the original (wired) Bullets, which proved to be an affordable, quality option for audiophiles everywhere, OnePlus’ wireless avatars have blown our expectations out of the water yet again. Here’s why…

STANDARD DESIGN

The OnePlus Wireless themselves don’t look any different from others in the category. Not visually, at least. The neck band is made from flexible plastic and rests easy, but the dangly wire ends seem a bit too long and has a tendency to keep rubbing against your face. A battery pack and the Bluetooth module sit on either side while an in-line remote/mic is also situated on the left wire. The left and right earpieces are not marked boldly so you either, so it can be confusing when trying to stick the right bud in the right ear. These are minor quibbles though, and hardly legitimate complaints when you consider the price.

CONVENIENCE IS KING

It’s almost impossible to dislodge the OnePlus Wireless from your ears, even during the most rigorous of workouts, and most of the time I couldn’t even feel them. So yeah, they’re damn comfortable.The buds also feature a neat magnetic back that allows them to cling together when not in use – pausing your music in the process. It’s a convenient way of letting them hang around your neck the entire day without ever worrying about losing them, which is a huge concern with most wireless headphones. OnePlus have also brought their famous DASH charge system to their wireless children, meaning you can get five hours of play time after just 10 minutes of charge.

SOUNDS OF LIFE

Considering the asking price, you wouldn’t expect the Bullets Wireless to change how you think about an entire category of products, but they do exactly that. From the moment you slip them on, to the moment you hit Play on your device, they’ll keep surprising you. Playing Trinity by OX7GEN instantly proves they have solid rhythm-keeping abilities, which means their timing is impeccable. The bass lines are played back with detail and resolution, not just the thick heft that many others in the price range pass off as a fake punch. Proper fitting is key to getting the best sound out of any in-ear design and the Bullets Wireless are no exception. Even a slight air gap will make sounds appear thin and uninspired, but get it right and instantly you’re transported to another dimension.

AUDIO PROWESS

The 9.2mm drivers and the Energy Tube certainly play their part by digging out detail, providing the drive to sustain R&B and Classical music too, without muddying the sound caused by internal reflections within the earbud housing. The Energy Tube acts like a back wave absorbing device, ensuring you’re only hearing the clear, direct output from the drivers and not the delayed signal that smears harmonics and detail. Towing the Line by Ben Howard is another great track for this test, with the tune’s parallel vocal track being beautifully deciphered by the Bullets Wireless in a frankly mind-blowing display of prowess at this price point.

BATTERY BLISS

The claimed 10 hours of battery life obviously won’t hold true under everyday use conditions. Between calling, music and standby, I felt the need to charge every 6-7 hours, but the inclusion of DASH charge means you never really notice the downtime unless you get cut off in the middle of a movie. Play them at full bore listening to System of a Down and sure, you will feel a hit, but overall, they’re comparable with the best in class.

AN ABSOLUTE STEAL

With an asking price of $69/£69, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless are an absolute steal. They’re a well built, well-engineered product, that also happens to be cheap as chips compared to rivals like the Beats X and the Jabra Elites. Sure, there are a few niggles like the long-ish cord, lack of battery status indicator, and non-resuming of play when you un-latch the two earbuds, but they deliver the goods when it comes to comfort and audio, and isn’t that what matters when it comes to finding your perfect pair of earphones?