OnePlus eyes Xiaomi Pistons, launches $15 earphones!


Xiaomi’s increasing presence on the world map seems to have intimidated OnePlus. The company today launched the Silver Bullet earphones, which we think are direct competition to the Xiaomi Pistons.

Very much like the Pistons, the Silver Bullet earphones are pretty affordable at just US$15 a pair. Like the OnePlus One, the buds will be available only in the launch countries.

OnePlus One buds4

Here’s the specifications of the buds as listed on the OnePlus One webstore:

  • Impedance: 32Ω+/-15%
  • Sensitivity: 108dB (at 500Hz)
  • Frequency: 20Hz-20000Hz
  • Maximum Power: 20mW
  • Connector: 3.5mm
  • Wire: Environmental TPE, 1.1M

The buds have three buttons placed on an in-line module, which let you take control of what you are listening to, along with giving you control over your camera.

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Since these buds will be available only in launch countries, it is going to be difficult for those living outside of the 16 countries to get hold of a pair. However, like the OnePlus One itself, Chinese resellers might be offering the Silver Bullet buds at a higher price sometime soon.

Those in the launch countries can avail the Silver Bullet buds at US$15 from the OnePlus webstore, starting next week.

The million dollar question though… these or the Xiaomi Pistons?

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21 Comments

  1. Adam Irvine
    September 24, 2014

    I’m thinking the pistons are probably better as it doesn’t seem like these will allow you to control the volume from the inline remote..?

    That and the fact that the pistons are known to sound great!

    • Sérgio Miguel Silva
      September 24, 2014

      Taken from OnePlus page:

      “The three-button in-line remote with microphone provides responsive control for music, calls, and even your camera. Answer the phone, take a selfie, pause, play, and skip to your favorite tracks or change volume by simply pushing a button.”

      So it seems they’ll add quite a bit of functionality. As for the sound I have no idea, someone needs to test them first.

      A problem with the pistons is that there are too many fakes out there, unless you order from Xiaomi it’ll be hard to guarantee original quality. These will be easy to get in the original form.

      • Adam Irvine
        September 24, 2014

        Ahhh ok, I didn’t read the official specs…

        Yes, theres loads of fakes out there of the pistons, I’ve had a fake pair before from eBay, returned them and got 2 official pairs from Aliexpress, theres a website somewhere that shows you all the differences to be able to spot fakes… The only think I can’t stand about the Pistons is the fact that they’re gold… I mean, why the F would you make gold headphones? They just seem soo pretentious in ‘gold’…

        *I bet there will be plenty of fakes of these too…

        • balcobomber25
          September 24, 2014

          I live in Thailand and every where I look I see both fake pistons and fake Beats Audio by Dre.

      • balcobomber25
        September 24, 2014

        You can only believe so much of what Oneplus tells you. This is a company that lies every chance it gets.

  2. Abir
    September 24, 2014

    Impedance: 32Ω+/-15%? bit high no?

  3. Uzeir Mansuri
    September 24, 2014

    i guess they will have INVITES SYSTEM for this too 😛 😛

    • Jay
      September 25, 2014

      Yup, also surrounded by a billion-zillion controversies and social marketing (spamming) schemes!

  4. RiverHorser
    September 24, 2014

    so far they ve not delivered anything but promised… wat i like with the pistons is d kevlar wire. i can actually tie a knot and its working…

  5. Danny
    September 24, 2014

    Quality headphones actually cost more than any of these phones, so… I have the Pistons and they are OK, not great but OK.

  6. highwind
    September 24, 2014

    because the world needed another low quality cheap production crap earphones!

  7. Simon Hrovatin
    September 24, 2014

    Which in-ear headphones do you guys reccomend? It doesn’t have to be xiaomi or oneplus headphones, it can also be something else. It is required that headphones work on pc. Price tag should be up to 25$.

    • September 24, 2014

      Im using a pair of Vivo in ear buds. Cost 99 Yuan in China and not bad. Oppo earphones are ok also on a budget.

      Edit: these OPO earphones look like rebranded Oppo ones

      • Simon Hrovatin
        September 24, 2014

        Can you post a link for vivo headpones or tell me the which model it is. Do they work on a PC?

      • RiverHorser
        September 25, 2014

        so basically all opo stuff is oppo stuff repackaged? great plus crappy overblown marketing. they make others look rather good

    • OffensiveFun
      September 25, 2014

      Huawei Honor earphones are even better than Xiaomi Pistons, I have them both. And it only costs around 13-15 USD.

  8. Gabriele Bonomo
    September 24, 2014

    I have tried all xiaomi piston now I want dat ahahha

  9. vhd
    September 24, 2014

    piston is awesome for this price, the quality is same as 100$ brand headphones

  10. Pau Lauri
    October 26, 2014

    I just watched some russian guy having a compare of OPO silver bullet and xiaomi piston 2 earphones. So he says piston 2 is better. Not like crazy better, but still better. He just mentioned that by the body build by OPO bullet stay in your ear a bit more comfortable – shape of metal cylinder is a bit smaller. But thats it. And in addition newest OPO JBL edition earphones are just a re-designed JBL Synchros E10. Russian overview find by searching in youtube: OnePlus Silver Bullet Earphones против xiaomi piston 2

    If i search for new earphones i will take Xiaomi Piston 2

  11. carol
    March 30, 2015

    i think xiaomi piston 3 earphone is better now http://flosmall.com/blog/303-xiaomi-piston-3-new-features