Apple Discontinues urBeats3 After Releasing Beats Flex - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Discontinues urBeats3 After Releasing Beats Flex

Apple this morning quietly introduced new Beats Flex headphones, marking the launch of the brand's most affordable wire-free headphones to date.

urbeats3
Beats Flex are priced at just $50, and are identical in design to the BeatsX earphones. With lower-cost Bluetooth-based Beats headphones now available, Apple has discontinued the UrBeats headphones that it previously offered under Beats branding.

UrBeats3 were priced at $60 and were available in Lightning and 3.5mm versions, and with their discontinuation, the Beats brand is no longer offering affordable wired headphone options. The $130 wired Beats EP headphones are still available, though.

For those who prefer wired headphones, Apple still sells EarPods with Lightning and 3.5mm connector options for $19 each, but EarPods no longer come free with iPhones.

Popular Stories

Beats 360 Hands On Thumb 2

Beats 360 Deliver Customizability and a Revamped Over-Ear Headphone Design

Tuesday September 22, 2026 7:00 am PDT by
After months of teases and leaks, Beats is officially announcing its new Beats 360 headphone today. Priced at $349.99, Beats 360 represents a rethinking of the Beats over-ear headphone design, with an emphasis on sound quality, comfort, and customizability. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Beats 360 is not a replacement for the brand's Studio Pro over-ear headphone, ...
WWDC 2026 Game Controller Icon

Apple's Rumored iPhone Game Controllers Will 'Likely' Come From Beats

Sunday September 13, 2026 4:25 pm PDT by
Earlier this month, references to two unreleased Apple game controllers were allegedly spotted in macOS 26.7 beta code, and now Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has shared more details. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the controllers have been in development for more than a year, are for the iPhone, and will likely have Beats branding. Acquired by Apple in 2014, Beats has expanded beyond...
Beats 360 Ear Cushions

Beats 360 Ear Cushion Kits Just $9.99 Each Until the End of October

Tuesday September 22, 2026 10:11 am PDT by
Apple today unveiled new Beats 360 over-ear headphones, and it is offering introductory pricing on extra ear cushions. Now through October 31, extra Performance Knit and UltraPlush ear cushions with matching headbands in a variety of colors are available on Apple's online store in the U.S. for just $9.99 each, with customers limited to three kits per order while supplies last. Lower pricing...

Top Rated Comments

az431 Avatar
78 months ago

I have yet to find a pair of Bluetooth headphones that does not have any noticeable lag for video or games.
Sigh.
10 years using Bluetooth headphones, and not a single one had any lag.

And just FYI, sound does lag in real life.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
78 months ago
I still love my Beats X for working out. I also own a pair of AirPods Pro, but the Beats X stay in my ears better during workouts.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iSayuSay Avatar
78 months ago

That‘s a bummer. I’ve had my BeatsX for about 2 years without any issues. The battery life is diminished but fortunately they’re still going strong.
Same experience here. I’ve had my BeatsX for almost 3 years before I sold it because I get bored and want new features of H1 chip. Now I’m rocking the new corded Powerbeats for workouts.

Yep I sold it because it’s still work, in a proper condition and still hold 3-4hours of playback between charge after I use it almost daily, for 3 years!!

Can’t say the same for the wife’s original AirPods. Two years in and it’s practically useless. The case battery is still fine but the buds’ barely survive an hour before the low-battery note chiming in. Not to mention a few times that one bud is dead, won’t charge or connect for no reason.

I will keep buying corded wireless headphones until true wireless is more reliable and ready with proper battery life. Way too delicate and quirky as it is, especially for $200++
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B4U Avatar
78 months ago
I have yet to find a pair of Bluetooth headphones that does not have any noticeable lag for video or games.
Sigh.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iSayuSay Avatar
78 months ago

FYI BeatsX are wireless. True fact ;) their not the “true” wireless meaning no cable but you’re still using Bluetooth.
LOL okay mate.. like I said.. corded wireless or neckband style wireless, or wired-wireless headphones. Whatever you want to call it. But the point is, I love BeatsX (and now my new Powerbeats) being more reliable, simple and live longer. Single Bluetooth module, single battery status, single piece design that is harder to lose for workouts. And most importantly I can actually turn them off.

With AirPods, you can't really turn it off so it continuously cycle the battery (hence the terrible lifespan). Even when sit in the case doing nothing, the buds keep sipping into the case's battery for some reason. No volume rocker also turned out to be a PITA for our use. There's also three effin' batteries status to maintain, THREE!

Look mate, I'm not trying to argue anything. You love AirPods or true wireless for what it is? Great, but it's not for me, nor my wife. I just hope Apple keep making new corded wireless in the future, because I will keep buying it.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
78 months ago

10 years using Bluetooth headphones, and not a single one had any lag.

And just FYI, sound does lag in real life.
You can compensate for that when the content does not need to be realtime e.g. Video Streaming


I haven‘t had a single lag issue with voice since Bluetooth 4. My AirPods Pro work flawlessly with my AppleTV. Same with my cheap $30 Skullcandy headphones. The $20 Redmi Airdots I purchased? Definite lag though. If it’s there it must be milliseconds and imperceptible to me because I look for it.
Bluetooth latency can be upward of 200ms which is unusable for something like a realtime multiplayer game e.g. COD or Audio (production) / DJ Applications where audio should respond instantly to your input.

Video Streaming like YouTube / Netflix delay the video to compensate for the latency but on games you just end up with horrible audio lag.



My guess is the lag is not as obvious when watching video vs gaming.
It gets very annoying when getting hit by the red shell about the same time I hear it coming. 😓
I feel ya bud ...wired is the best way for games (for now)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
AirPods 5 vs. AirPods 5 With Wireless Charging Case Buyer's Guide
AirPods 5 vs. AirPods 5 With Wireless Charging Case Buyer's Guide
7 hours ago
Accessory Deals This Weekend: Save on TVs, Headphones, and Smart Home Gear
Accessory Deals This Weekend: Save on TVs, Headphones, and Smart Home Gear
8 hours ago
Apple's All-New Home Hub Will Be Revealed October 13: What to Expect
Apple's All-New Home Hub Will Be Revealed October 13: What to Expect
8 hours ago
Apple Announcing HomePod Mini 2 Next Week With These New Features
Apple Announcing HomePod Mini 2 Next Week With These New Features
8 hours ago
A New Apple TV 4K is Finally Coming on Tuesday
A New Apple TV 4K is Finally Coming on Tuesday
8 hours ago
Top Stories: Apple's 'Welcome Home' Launch on October 13 and More
Top Stories: Apple's 'Welcome Home' Launch on October 13 and More
9 hours ago
Apple Stores Will Add Your Name to iPhone Duo's Startup Screen
Apple Stores Will Add Your Name to iPhone Duo's Startup Screen
22 hours ago
SpaceX Inches Closer to Becoming a U.S. Carrier
SpaceX Inches Closer to Becoming a U.S. Carrier
23 hours ago
Apple Potentially Behind 'HomeView' Trademark Filed Alongside 'homeOS' Last Year
Apple Potentially Behind 'HomeView' Trademark Filed Alongside 'homeOS' Last Year
1 day ago
Mark Your Calendar: Six Important Apple Dates Coming Up This Month
Mark Your Calendar: Six Important Apple Dates Coming Up This Month
1 day ago
MacRumors Giveaway: Win an Apple Watch Series 12 and a Nylon Band From Southern Straps
MacRumors Giveaway: Win an Apple Watch Series 12 and a Nylon Band From Southern Straps
1 day ago
First Apple TV 4K Now 'Vintage' Ahead of New Model Coming on Tuesday
First Apple TV 4K Now 'Vintage' Ahead of New Model Coming on Tuesday
1 day ago
The MacRumors Show: Apple's Smart Home Products Are Coming
The MacRumors Show: Apple's Smart Home Products Are Coming
1 day ago
Apple Shares Fall After News of iPhone 18 Pro Order Cuts
Apple Shares Fall After News of iPhone 18 Pro Order Cuts
1 day ago
Leak Details iPhone Features for Apple's LG Home Accessories
Leak Details iPhone Features for Apple's LG Home Accessories
1 day ago
Prime Day Leftover Deals: AirPods Max 2 for $429, Mac Mini for $779.99, and More
Prime Day Leftover Deals: AirPods Max 2 for $429, Mac Mini for $779.99, and More
1 day ago
Every M5 MacBook Air Now $200 Off on Amazon
Every M5 MacBook Air Now $200 Off on Amazon
1 day ago
Mac Shipments Fall, But Apple Still Gains Ground in Shrinking Market
Mac Shipments Fall, But Apple Still Gains Ground in Shrinking Market
1 day ago
Apple Reportedly Cuts iPhone 18 Pro Orders After Price Hike Dampens Demand
Apple Reportedly Cuts iPhone 18 Pro Orders After Price Hike Dampens Demand
1 day ago
Apple Signs Hiring and Licensing Deal With AI Podcast Startup Huxe
Apple Signs Hiring and Licensing Deal With AI Podcast Startup Huxe
2 days ago
Apple's October 13 Launch: What's Coming
Apple's October 13 Launch: What's Coming
2 days ago
Anthropic Says Users Can't Be Needlessly Cruel to Claude
Anthropic Says Users Can't Be Needlessly Cruel to Claude
2 days ago
Apple to Launch Touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro and OLED iPad mini on October 27
Apple to Launch Touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro and OLED iPad mini on October 27
2 days ago
Apple Now Pushing iPhone Users Still on iOS 26 to Install iOS 27
Apple Now Pushing iPhone Users Still on iOS 26 to Install iOS 27
2 days ago
Apple Has a New M&A Chief as Ternus Reshuffles Leadership
Apple Has a New M&A Chief as Ternus Reshuffles Leadership
2 days ago
Prepare for Apple's New Home Hub With These HomeKit Accessory Deals
Prepare for Apple's New Home Hub With These HomeKit Accessory Deals
2 days ago
Tim Cook Says He's 'Not Meddling' With Apple's New CEO John Ternus
Tim Cook Says He's 'Not Meddling' With Apple's New CEO John Ternus
2 days ago
Tim Cook Explains Why He Stepped Down as Apple CEO Before iPhone Duo Launch
Tim Cook Explains Why He Stepped Down as Apple CEO Before iPhone Duo Launch
2 days ago
Apple Product Launch Announced for October 13: 'Welcome Home'
Apple Product Launch Announced for October 13: 'Welcome Home'
2 days ago
Amazon Unveils New iPad Rivals With Alexa+ and Google Play
Amazon Unveils New iPad Rivals With Alexa+ and Google Play
2 days ago