Beats’ Flex are the wireless earbuds the iPhone 12 should’ve come with

The earbuds themselves are the same size as the BeatsX, though Apple claims there’s a new proprietary layered driver inside. PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering lab-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. Beats estimates battery life to be roughly 12 hours, but your results will vary with your volume levels. Similarly warm sounding but with a slightly recessed mids and overall clearer and more transparent audio quality. However, paying more isn’t worth it, especially if you mostly care about sound quality.

beats flex review

Beats uses the Apple W1 chip for Bluetooth, audio processing, and easy pairing, the same as in the original AirPods. That means, unlike the Apple H1-powered AirPods Pro – or indeed Beats’ own Solo Pro and Powerbeats Pro – you don’t get hands-free “Hey Siri” support, nor any sort of active noise cancelation. Music doesn’t automatically pause when you take an earbud out, either, only when the earbuds click together magnetically, and there’s no water resistance rating. But if you are grabbing those shiny, new, square iPhone 12 and looking for some affordable, wireless, Bluetooth earphones, you don’t have to look far. Apple Beats Flex retails for A$79.95 with very easy pairing to iPhone users and comes with a not-so-bad audio quality for the price.

There was lots of exciting news this week following the Nintendo Direct Mini on Tuesday. Several games are slated for this fall and there are even rumors that some older games could be seeing beats studio3 remakes and remasters on Switch soon. When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. The Beats Flex are well-built with durable materials and connections.

In some loud situations, like when someone is mowing the lawn or when you’re on a plane, the outside noise bleed may make it difficult to hear some types of audio, like podcasts. If you’re not worried about getting the most advanced music experience, the audio quality for podcasts, FaceTime or Zoom calls, audiobooks, and other talking related activities is perfect. Whether you’re listening to DaBaby or Tom Petty, everything sounds clear. If you just need something inexpensive that plays music, Beats Flex fills the role. Sound quality is where Beats Flex loses a lot of points, in my book.

Bill Callahan’s “Drover,” a track with far less deep bass in the mix, gives us a better sense of the Flex’s general sound signature. The drums on this track get some added heft—they sound almost too thunderous, but thanks to sculpting in the highs, the overall sound signature is balanced. Callahan’s baritone vocals get some added low-mid richness, but also some treble edge so that things never sound muddy. This is a dialed-up, bass-forward sound signature with equal doses of brightness. The USB-C cable would be far more useful if it shipped with an adapter for USB-A ports. If your charging station or computer lacks a USB-C port, you’ll need to buy an adapter or a USB-C-to-USB-A cable.

As of March 23, 2022, nearly 43% of respondents have rated the above sample as just “Okay,” which is fair for a standard wireless headset. The in-line microphone was moved down the cord on the left side. They’re even magnetised and can stick beats solo pro wireless together to help keep them tidy when they’re in your drawer or just hanging around your neck. We have also got loads of exciting offers, discounts, and amazing cashbacks. So what has changed between the outgoing X and the new Flex?

To see a company like Beats fit this in at $50 would constitute a minor miracle. Andrew Williams The mids are the weak point, as they are in most cheaper earphones. A soft mid-range that lacks detail and texture means naturally recorded vocals lack the timbre and cut through of the best-in-class pairs. The SoundMagic E11BT and Beyerdynamic Blue Byrd perform better beats solo pro wireless in this area. One of the first questions to ask of any pair of earphones to use while you work out is whether they will stay in place as you run, or jump about at the gym. We’re testing with an older iPhone 8 running on the most recent iOS update and find the promised auto-pause functionality when the buds’ magnets click together a little hit and miss.