While 12 hours of battery life sounds a lot for true wireless earbuds under $50, it’s pretty average for neckband wireless earbuds. When the rumors began to swirl that Apple was going to stop including a set of wired earbuds in the box with the iPhone 12, we should’ve seen this coming. The day of Apple’s event, the company’s audio subsidiary Beats announced a set of cheap wireless earbuds that give users a low-cost option. At $50, the Beats Flex covers the basics with a smattering of on-board controls, a different take on automatic pausing and AirPods-quality quick pairing. Unfortunately, features aren’t everything, and there’s one key element the Flex doesn’t do well.
Here’s what you need to know about Beats Flex, the latest headphones to use Apple’s wireless chip technology. Full Flex functionality is plug, play and all part of the package on most Apple devices, and that includes SBC and ACC support for high-end sound quality. Switch to Android with the free Beats companion app and while you don’t lose any functionality per se, there’s no aptX or aptX HD to bump the Bluetooth audio quality.
The battery life of the charging case as given by the manufacturer. A charging case with a longer battery life allows you to recharge your headphones on the go multiple times before having to recharge the case itself. True wireless devices have no cables connecting beats solo pro wireless any part of the device together. This is an important distinction as some wireless earbuds have cables connecting the two earbuds together. Apple’s W1 chip connects your Beats Flex to Siri, so you can ask about the weather or the time, get directions, and more.
The Flex’s earpieces magnetically snap together when not in use, making them easy to wear around the neck—and when they snap together, audio pauses automatically to save battery life. Easily connect via the Apple W1 chip4, get extended range and fewer dropouts with Class 1 Bluetooth®, and control volume, music, and calls with on-device controls. And don’t break for battery life—use 10-minute Fast Fuel for 1.5 hours of playback when battery is low3. Bulkier tips create a tight seal from the outside world. As long as you’re listening to music, you won’t miss the lack of active noise cancelling. Thankfully, they support fast charging and have a USB-C charge connector.
The wires that connect the control panels to the earbuds are a little awkward — they’re thick and flat to help avoid tangling, but they are so stiff they feel weird. These connected wireless earbuds are a bargain, they have loads to offer for Apple users. You can hook them up to the Apple Find My network and you can share your audio with other Beats headphones and Airpods. You will have to make some sacrifices in sound quality but overall they offer a lot for your money. As our beats solo pro wireless explains, inconsistent audio performance theatens to put a downer on things, though at this price it would be foolish to look past altogether. But if that’s my biggest gripe with the $50 Beats Flex, I think they’re a pretty clear success.
And, thanks to their built-in microphone, they also double up as a Bluetooth headset, so you can take calls and speak to your phone’s virtual assistant. Placing the controls in the plastic housing makes them a little harder to use. The volume rocker is easy to use, with well-defined clicks.