Is the OnePlus Buds Z worth the upgrade from the OnePlus Buds 4?
Verdict
Downgrade
The OnePlus Buds Z actually scores 19.9 points below the OnePlus Buds 4, so on aggregate review consensus this is a step backwards. It loses ground on sound (8.8 to 6.0) and calls (8.0 to 6.0). On paper: weight 9.5 g to 4.3 g and case weight 50.6 g to 40 g. Worth checking: battery life goes 11 h to 5 h and active noise cancelling goes Yes to No. It is at least $65 cheaper, so the lower score comes with a saving. Only worth it if a specific feature above matters more to you than overall quality does.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound8.86.0
- Battery6.36.5
- Calls8.06.0
- Value8.57.5
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | Buds 4 | Buds Z | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 11 h | 5 h | |
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | No | |
| Codecs | AAC, LHDC | SBC, AAC | |
| Weight | 9.5 g | 4.3 g | |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.0 | |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | No | |
| Battery incl. case | 45 h | 20 h | |
| Driver size | 11 mm | 10 mm | |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 1 | |
| Microphones | 3 | 2 | |
| Case weight | 50.6 g | 40 g | |
| Transparency mode | Yes | No | |
| Companion app | Yes | No | |
| Custom EQ | Yes | No | |
| ANC type | adaptive | none | |
| Quick charge | 10 min → 11 h | 10 min → 3 h | |
| Driver | 2-driver hybrid | 10 mm dynamic | |
| Frequency response | 15 Hz - 40 kHz | 20 Hz - 20 kHz |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "Buds 4 to Buds Z". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across true wireless and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.