Apple is set to shake up the true wireless earphone market with its latest offering, the Beats Solo Buds. Announced alongside the Beats Solo 4 over-ear headphones, these compact earbuds promise to deliver exceptional value and performance.
Key Features and Pricing
- Price: $79.99 (significantly cheaper than AirPods)
- Battery Life: Up to 18 hours of playback
- Colors: Matte Black, Storm Gray, Arctic Purple, and Transparent Red
- Release Date: June 20, with pre-orders starting June 18
Technology and Compatibility
The Beats Solo Buds come equipped with a custom Beats chip, facilitating seamless pairing across both iOS and Android devices. This cross-platform compatibility is further enhanced by support for both Apple's Find My and Google's Find My Device functionalities.
Design and Comfort
Apple claims the Beats Solo Buds feature one of their smallest charging cases to date. The earbuds themselves are designed for comfort, with four different ear tip sizes included to ensure a perfect fit for most users.
Audio Features
- Spatial Audio support
- Custom-built acoustic architecture
- Dual-layer transducer design to minimize distortions
Controls and Customization
Each earbud features a button for playback control, call management, and Siri activation. These controls can be customized to suit user preferences.
Limitations
- No Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
- The charging case lacks a built-in battery
The Verdict
The Beats Solo Buds appear to offer an attractive balance of features and affordability. While they lack some premium features like ANC, the impressive battery life claim and competitive pricing make them a compelling option in the crowded true wireless earphone market.
As always, real-world performance may vary, and it remains to be seen if the 18-hour battery life claim holds true across different devices and usage scenarios. Potential buyers should also consider the lack of a battery in the charging case, which may impact overall convenience.
With their imminent release, the Beats Solo Buds are poised to become a popular choice for budget-conscious consumers seeking quality audio and extended battery life in a compact package.