Apple's Beats brand today is introducing Beats Flex wireless earphones, which add some upgrades to the previous BeatsX earphones yet come with a much lower $49.99 price tag. The new price makes them the cheapest way to get into Apple's wireless earphone ecosystem, which is especially important now that Apple is no longer including earphones in the box with its iPhones.
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As with BeatsX, the new Beats Flex earphones are wireless Bluetooth earphones with a cord between the two earpieces that drapes around the neck and provides access to some physical controls. Beats Flex will be available in four colors, with Beats Black and Yuzu Yellow available for pre-order today ahead of an October 21 launch and Smoke Gray and Flame Blue coming in early 2021.
Beats Flex employs a proprietary layered driver with dual-chamber acoustics to achieve rich, balanced sound with outstanding stereo separation. Laser cut micro-venting and an optimized driver angle ensure ear pressure relief and accurate sound delivery. Additionally, an advanced digital processor fine-tunes the audio for accurate bass, precise mids, and low distortion across the frequency curve.
On the design side, Beats Flex feature a lightweight and comfortable Flex-Form cable made of durable Nitinol to connect the earpieces, and as with the previous BeatsX, the Beats Flex earpieces magnetically click together to keep them secure around your neck when not in use. Overall, Beats Flex are 8% lighter than BeatsX.
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Beats Flex also have automatic play/pause support, starting up playback when they are inserted in your ears and stopping playback when they are attached around your neck. Four sizes of eartips offer a personalized fit.
As with the previous BeatsX, Beats Flex include Apple's W1 chip that supports quick pairing with iOS devices, iCloud syncing for seamless switching between devices, Audio Sharing to allow two sets of compatible Beats or AirPods earphones to listen to connect to the same device, and more.
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On-device controls on the cable of the Beats Flex offer a built-in microphone with wind noise reduction and voice clarity optimization, as well as controls for adjusting volume, controlling playback, taking phone calls, and accessing Siri.
Beats Flex offer up to 12 hours of listening time on a single charge, and they recharge using USB-C to help provide maximum compatibility for Apple and Android users. A 10-minute Fast Fuel charge when the battery level is low will provide up to 1.5 hours of playback.
Top Rated Comments
Someone asked if these sound better than AirPods. YES. These and the BeatsX can create a tight seal for sound isolation and better bass response. AirPods are not designed to provide that kind of experience while AirPod Pros are. IMO AirPods outright SUCK for music in comparison. I've been using in-ear, sealed earphones for over 20 years and they are the only style of earphone I can actually enjoy (along with over-ear open headphones). However, many people don't like in-ears so prefer AirPods and the like.
I will say BeatsX break constantly. I go through about a pair a year, but at this new price point that makes it much better. Hopefully the build quality of the new 'Flex' model is better than the older X version.
LOL WUT?Still W1? So it's basically a refresh of the BeatsX at a lower price.
" As with the previous BeatsX, Beats Flex include Apple's W1 chip that supports quick pairing with iOS devices, iCloud syncing for seamless switching between devices, Audio Sharing to allow two sets of compatible Beats or AirPods earphones to listen to connect to the same device, and more. "
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I've had BeatsX since they came out, LOVE them. EarPod's never really fit my ear right so I was never interested in a wireless version. I love traveling with my BeatsX, they "click" magnetically when not in use around my neck; I never worry about losing them. This update represents an incredible value.
Yeah I love the neckband, always at the ready. I keep them around my neck at all times when at home, which is always now. Much faster to start and stop using them than AirPods that you have to keep in a battery case in your pocket. Not to mention I don’t always have pockets, but I always have a neck.I'm definitely buying this as I prefer neckband to "true wireless" which are more work to keep "at the ready" for me. I already have the PowerBeats Pro, but I've never bought AirPods because they don't fit my use case. I usually wear my Jabra Elite 75e around my neck but I'm looking forward to the W1 chip convenience. $50 is great for what these are!
I know it's still W1. I was expressing surprise rather than seeking clarification. I'm surprised because the W1 is a very old chip and I thought they would've at least upgraded it to an H1 like the rest of their bluetooth headphone lineup.LOL WUT?
" As with the previous BeatsX, Beats Flex include Apple's W1 chip that supports quick pairing with iOS devices, iCloud syncing for seamless switching between devices, Audio Sharing to allow two sets of compatible Beats or AirPods earphones to listen to connect to the same device, and more. "
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I've had BeatsX since they came out, LOVE them. EarPod's never really fit my ear right so I was never interested in a wireless version. I love traveling with my BeatsX, they "click" magnetically when not in use around my neck; I never worry about losing them. This update represents an incredible value.
Bought Beats X on day one and got about 3 years of life out of them before they flaked out a few months ago. I've been teetering on getting AirPods Pro to replace them, but they are so expensive for someone like me who doesn't actually need noise cancelling, etc. These Beats Flex are an instabuy for me.
$50 is a really great price for these if they sound anything like the BeatsX. I went through two pairs of those before giving up because of the poor quality in the cabling system leading to audio disconnects and inactive buttons. If the build quality is improved and audio quality is good or better, this is indeed a steal.
Someone asked if these sound better than AirPods. YES. These and the BeatsX can create a tight seal for sound isolation and better bass response. AirPods are not designed to provide that kind of experience while AirPod Pros are. IMO AirPods outright SUCK for music in comparison. I've been using in-ear, sealed earphones for over 20 years and they are the only style of earphone I can actually enjoy (along with over-ear open headphones). However, many people don't like in-ears so prefer AirPods and the like.
Heck yes, agreed with all of you fellas. The BeatsX where my favorites, especially for sports, even if constantly breaking between 6months to a year of use (would squeeze out warranty until it would be over, not only X, had the same issue with Powerbeats).For active sports where I worry about losing AirPods, BeatsX are perfect. Mostly listen to podcasts so quality of audio isn't a huge deal either.
I will say BeatsX break constantly. I go through about a pair a year, but at this new price point that makes it much better. Hopefully the build quality of the new 'Flex' model is better than the older X version.
That is until the AirPods Pro appeared (agreed with the in-ear silicon seal, can’t do the plastic ones like the EarPods) which I never take off except for quick charges here and there. The excuse was that connectivity and no cable hassle is pretty much improved, but if the BeatsX has all of the benefits except still keeping a cord between earphones, I find them to be a steal for $50 if I’m honest. Might just even get one as a backup plan.