Apple-owned Beats has unveiled its latest pair of true wireless earbuds — the Beats Studio Buds. These are the second true wireless buds the company has released, following up the Powerbeats Pro that launched in 2019.
While AirPods are often thought of as the only Apple-focused earbuds, that's not exactly the case. Apple purchased Beats back in 2014, and in the years since, Beats has been making headphones and earbuds that work seamlessly with Apple gadgets. The Powerbeats Pro, Beats Flex, Beats Solo3, and Beats Studio3 all feature Apple's W1 chip for AirPod-like connectivity with other Apple hardware.
The new Beats Studio Buds are available for a retail price of $149.99, and considering everything the earbuds bring to the table, that's an excellent price. The Studio Buds feature 8.2mm drivers for a "high-quality audio experience," active noise cancellation, up to 8 hours of continuous use, up to 24 hours of total battery life, and a multi-function button that allows for robust playback controls. What's especially interesting is how the earbuds work with Apple devices. Studio Buds still instantly pair with the iPhone, have settings shortcuts in Control Center, and support 'Hey Siri' commands, but they do not have the W1 chip. This means many iconic AirPods features are not present at all, but it also results in Studio Buds supporting Fast Pair on Android devices and offering a similar experience regardless of which platform someone is using. Beats also says Studio Buds are the first earbuds from the company to support both Apple Find My and Google's Find My Device feature.
Where To Buy Beats Studio Buds
Despite its lack of the W1 chip, Apple is still marketing the Studio Buds like any other Apple product. The earbuds are available for purchase right now on the Apple website in both the U.S. and Canada, with shipments expected to go out on June 24. There are a few different colors to choose from as well, including Beats Red, Black, and White.
For folks that would rather not shop at Apple, Beats Studio Buds are also available at third-party stores. The earbuds can be purchased from Amazon, Best Buy, B&H, and other retailers that typically carry Beats products. The $149 price is the same regardless of where the Studio Buds are purchased from, but just having the option to buy from so many places is always great to see. All three colors are available at every retailer, too, meaning there's no worrying about missing out on that striking red just because someone wants to buy from Amazon or Best Buy instead of Apple.
Source: Beats