The Beats Flex have redesigned controls with a volume rocker and multi-function button. If you have a hard time getting earbuds to stay in your ears or want buds for working out, these might not be the right buds for you. Without wingtips to hold them in, the Flex can easily fall out. After trying a few combinations of eartips we eventually landed on a decent seal and were finally able to test out the Beats Flex’s audio quality.
That’s quite the feature list for a pair of budget earphones but, arguably, the most impressive attribute of the Beats Flex is their sound quality. Third, the microphone itself has been moved to the neckband and is set, recessed, in its own little chamber near your neck, to keep it sheltered from any wind. It’s joined on that left collar by the volume rocker on the top, which is super easy and convenient to use, plus the rounded multi-purpose button which you use to play, pause and skip tracks. To replace the BeatsX wireless neckband earbuds, Beats Flex is an even more paired down set of basic headphones. There isn’t a whole lot going on with these super low-cost headphones, but considering they’re from Apple and they’re part of the Beats line, I could see the Beats Flex being a runaway hit for this holiday season. They’re not mind-blowing, but that’s to be expected from a £50 pair of earbuds.
The Beats Flex are also compatible with Apple’s audio sharing feature, which lets any two W1 or H1-equipped headphones or earbuds listen simultaneously to content from an iOS device. Getting great sound from a set of earbuds depends a lot on how they seal beats solo pro wireless against your ear canal. With four sizes of silicone tips to choose from, most people should be able to get a secure and comfortable fit with the Beats Flex. The default set of tips is the medium size, and these proved to be very comfortable for me.
With the Flex, Beats accomplished what it set out to do. The company is offering a low-cost option for anyone who’s looking for wireless earbuds and doesn’t want to spend a lot of money. Especially those people who are looking for something to replace the Earpods that Apple no longer gives them for free with a new iPhone. Plus, Beats managed to pack features like quick pairing that go beyond the basic on-board controls.
The earbuds’ housing is relatively small and unintrusive. Its smooth surface prevents the in-ear headphones from poking into your ears. Since the cable likes to twist, it’s sometimes difficult to locate the on-device controls. You’re constantly brushing the modules with your beats studio3 fingers searching for the correct button. The Flex earbuds are well designed with a balanced fit featuring two pods either side of a flat, semi-flexible cable that rests on the back of the neck. The earbuds are then connected to the pods via further flat, flexible cables.
The evenly balanced design allows the buds to hang down at your chest comfortably. You can enjoy listening to music, even lying on a bed without any hassle. More microphones result in better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background noise. 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.
We think they’re more comfortable than the Beats Flex and more likely to stay snug in your ears. The last feature that’s worth pointing out is that the Beats Flex – like all W1 or H1 Chip headphones – will have iOS’s new audio sharing feature that allows you to share music between two pairs of headphones. It’s not a killer app by any means, but it is nice if you’re in a house with multiple Apple or Beats headphones and like to share music.
It’s almost as seamless on Android devices too, as long as you download the free Beats app first. You barely notice its presence, and the rubberized texture keeps it from sliding around while you move about. The Beats Flex may not have a charging case, but with 12 hours of continuous operation, they can truly last an entire day before needing to be plugged in.