Beats Flex wireless headphones launch for $49 with USB-C and W1 chip

AppleInsider

Apple subsidiary Beats by Dre has launched a new low-cost set of wireless headphones, the $49 Beats Flex during Apple's "Hi, Speed" October event.

Beats Flex in blue, black, yellow, and gray

Beats Flex are an evolution of the previous Beats X headphones but now come at a new low price as well as improved sound, long battery life, and USB-C.

The earbuds are connected by a thin "Flex-Form" cable that rests behind your neck and connects wirelessly to your devices over Bluetooth. A sensor on the earbuds detects when they are in or our of your ears to automatically pause your content whenever they are removed.

Beats Flex cost $49

With a full charge, now over USB-C instead of Lightning, Beats Flex will achieve 12 hours of use. The internals were optimized for better sound, as well as improved mic performance.

Apple also uses its signature W1 wireless chip for strong connectivity and other Apple-specific features such as seamless pairing across all your Apple devices.

They will be available starting October 23 in black, yellow, blue, and gray for $49.

docno42

Beats X but $50 cheaper?  Yes please!

cia

Perfect timing.  The power button on my BeatsX is being finicky, and after 3 years, they are due for a replacement.  Happy to get a new set at half the price!

/edit Not mentioned in the article, but you can preorder now from Apple:  https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MYMC2LL/A/beats-flex-all-day-wireless-earphones-beats-black

Beats

I wish Beats had it's own keynote with Dre.

Eric_WVGG

no Siri huh

Ofer

Any idea if these will feature a sound pass-through so that you can hear the environmental sounds around you when out and about?

fastasleep

Ofer said:

Any idea if these will feature a sound pass-through so that you can hear the environmental sounds around you when out and about?

No.

cloudguy

Eric_WVGG said:

no Siri huh

The USB Type C instead of lightning leads The Verge to speculate that Beats Flex are aimed primarily at Android device owners. Remember: Apple made Apple Music their only actual app available on Android - the cheeky and totally unnecessary "move to Android" app that Tim Cook had released when Apple's FUD based platform war against Android was at its peak doesn't count - and its been downloaded by at least 50 million unique accounts. That it also lacks Siri - which naturally wouldn't be any use on any non Apple device - strengthens that theory. Though to it I would add that Beats Flex would be just as good for Windows PCs - which are increasingly utilizing USB C also - as opposed to just Android phones and tablets.

fastasleep

cloudguy said:

Eric_WVGG said:

no Siri huh

The USB Type C instead of lightning leads The Verge to speculate that Beats Flex are aimed primarily at Android device owners. Remember: Apple made Apple Music their only actual app available on Android - the cheeky and totally unnecessary "move to Android" app that Tim Cook had released when Apple's FUD based platform war against Android was at its peak doesn't count - and its been downloaded by at least 50 million unique accounts. That it also lacks Siri - which naturally wouldn't be any use on any non Apple device - strengthens that theory. Though to it I would add that Beats Flex would be just as good for Windows PCs - which are increasingly utilizing USB C also - as opposed to just Android phones and tablets.

This of course ignores the W1 chip which was added and only works with iOS/macOS. Always-on “Hey, Siri” is probably just not going to make it into $49 headphones, just as ANC wasn’t included either.