Beats Studio Buds+
After months of leaks, Apple subsidiary Beats by Dre has released the Beats Studio Buds+, which improves on ANC and Transparency modes and adds a transparent color option.
Beats launched the first iteration of the Beats Studio Buds in June 2021. Almost two years later, the update to the model has arrived, and it has a few new tricks up its sleeve.
Still resembling compact earbuds with a silicone tip that enters the ear canal, the Beats Studio Buds are similar in concept to Apple's AirPods Pro. Just like the predecessors, they can be stored in a charging case, now available in a transparent option.
Once again, they offer Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency, enabling users to dampen environmental sounds, or to let through some of the outside world. Beats says that these modes are improved by 1.6x and 2x, respectively, thanks to 3x larger microphones.
Apple still uses a proprietary Beats processor for the Beats Studio Buds+. This chip differs from the H2 used in the AirPods Pro and lacks some of the baked-in Apple ecosystem features in favor of universal compatibility with Android and Apple.
The battery life remains similar at 5 hours with ANC mode or 8 hours with ANC off. But, the charging case brings the total available battery life to 36 hours.
Available from May 17, the Beats Studio Buds+ retails for $169.95 and are available in transparent, black, or ivory color options.