Apple Releases First Firmware Update for Beats Studio Buds +

Apple today released new firmware for the Beats Studio Buds +, marking the first firmware update to the earbuds since their 2023 launch. The firmware has a build number of 2C318, up from 2A219.

beats studio buds plus 1
There is no word on what the new firmware includes in terms of features or bug fixes, and Apple does not provide release notes.

The Beats Studio Buds + are Apple's mid-range Beats earbuds, featuring Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, microphones, battery life, and more. The earbuds come in several colors, including a unique transparent design that shows the internals.

As with most of the latest Beats models, the Studio Buds + do not include an Apple audio chip, and are instead equipped with acustom Beats chip that provides better feature parity between iOS and Android devices. The Beats chip supports one-touch pairing and setup, Find My integration, and Siri support, but automatic switching between devices is not available.

The firmware update for the Beats Studio + are delivered over-the-air. Firmware will be installed while the Beats headphones are charging and are in Bluetooth range of an iPhone, iPad, or Mac that's connected to Wi-Fi.

On Android devices, users will need to download the Beats app for Android and connect the Android device to a power outlet to initiate a firmware update.

Update: MacRumors can confirm that the firmware update added Audio Sharing support to the earbuds.

Tag: Beats

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Top Rated Comments

timborama Avatar
16 months ago

Can we go ahead and have a class action lawsuit for how terribly fragile the Apple Beats Fit Pro earbuds were? They broke on me TWICE in a year and I used them for phone calls on my computer.
Wrong product. Take your complaints elsewhere.

Back to the topic at hand. Adding some iOS 18 support I’m guessing. I really like my Beats Studio buds +, over the AirPods Pro 2.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GMShadow Avatar
16 months ago

Can we go ahead and have a class action lawsuit for how terribly fragile the Apple Beats Fit Pro earbuds were? They broke on me TWICE in a year and I used them for phone calls on my computer.
Sir, this is a Wendy's.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
robvalentine Avatar
16 months ago



The Beats Studio Buds + are Apple's mid-range Beats earbuds, featuring Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, microphones, battery life, and more.
Good to know they feature battery life.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sherry Livingston Avatar
16 months ago
“There is no word on what the new firmware includes in terms of features or bug fixes, and Apple does not provide release notes.”

I hate this kind of “trust me bro” updates.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lk400 Avatar
16 months ago

Wrong product. Take your complaints elsewhere.

Back to the topic at hand. Adding some iOS 18 support I’m guessing. I really like my Beats Studio buds +, over the AirPods Pro 2.
Given the price and regular discounts, I’m right there with you. I had the original AirPods from release date, and then the original AirPods Pro from release date. They were fine (although original AirPods didn’t fit me well). But cost performance was just not there for me. Especially given how quickly the battery life degrades. Instead of AirPods Pro 2 I got these beats, and I actually prefer over AirPods Pro. The sound is not as good when testing back to back, and it’s pretty obvious. But after a minute or two of listening, I can’t tell. The form factor is much better for me, and the relative value makes me feel happy.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NoGood@Usernames Avatar
16 months ago
Wow, I must have manifested this one into existence lol. This afternoon I pulled my buds+ out of my bag and used them for the first time in probably 3 months. I was searching on Google to try and find the latest firmware version to see if they needed to be updated.

When I checked, I was on 2A219, and just now I reconnected them after seeing this article and lo and behold they already updated themselves to 2C318!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)