MacRumors attracts a broad audience of both consumers and professionals interested in the latest technologies and products. We also boast an active community focused on purchasing decisions and technical aspects of the iPhone, iPod, iPad, and Mac platforms. The fourth-generation iPhone SE will feature a 6.1-inch LCD display and a “notch” cutout at the top of the display, according to Display Supply Chain Consultants analyst Ross Young.
One of the first questions to ask of any pair of earphones to use while you work out is whether they will stay in place as you run, or jump about at the gym. Dspite not carrying an IP rating for dust or water protection, a source at Beats tells me the Flex are in fact quite capable of dealing with a sweaty beats studio3 workout. The USB-C charging port is waterproof and the controls have all been sealed against moisture. Positioned on the left earbud wire, it was ideally located to capture speech. The Beats Flex are almost as good, but the location of the mic on the Flex neckband does result in slightly worse quality.
For just $50 you get all of the conveniences of Apple brand headphones without paying the higher price. With all of that balance and clarity, however, comes a flat sound. Whether you’re listing to Tom Petty or DaBaby, it all sounds the same, and I mean that in a bad way.
When you do run out of battery, which will be days later, you can charge up about an hour-and-a-half worth of playback in just 10 minutes using the included USB-C cable and Beats Flex Fast Fuel charging. Both Beats Flex and Beats X look extremely similar, with the two earbuds connected via a long cord, intended to snake around the back of your neck. It’s not a heavy design, but it does feel a bit strange walking around with a necklace comprised of an unwieldy nickel and titanium cable. I’ve had a bit of time to test out the $500 Anker 535, and it delivers a handy set of connectivity options for charging up a… As an everyday AirPods Pro user, one thing about Beats Flex that took some getting used to was the cables dangling from my ears. They put a little bit of pressure on the ears, and with the seal in the ears, any sounds from the cord brushing against my shirt or the side of my face were transmitted directly into my ears.
There’s no app for iOS because the features offered here are native on iOS thanks to the M1 chip in the Flex. The buds are light, there’s plenty of length to the connected cord so it doesn’t constantly pull on the buds, and even the controls on either side are lightweight enough that I don’t even notice them. Overall, these are probably some of the most comfortable neckbuds I’ve worn in … well, as long as I can remember, really.
Like pretty much everything else about these, they’re pretty simple. The power button is on the right side, and … that’s literally it. The left side houses the USB-C charging port—a nice departure from other Beats, which rely on Apple’s Lightning cable for charging—the volume rocker and multifunction button. The multifunction button is play/pause with a single press, track forward with a double press, track back with a triple press, and calls up your device’s digital assistant with a long press. Another pair of wireless earbuds worth considering if you’re on a tight budget is the Skullcandy Dime.
I’ve given the Flex praise for their bass-forward, midrange-friendly soundscape, and for many casual listeners, those elements are crucial. However, the snug fit and tiny drivers don’t always treat higher-pitched treble frequencies with the same interest. I stacked these up against some of the pricier headphones I have on hand, and found that the Flex held up decently when compared to some Audio-Technica open-backs, a favorite pair of mine that retail around $200. Get accurate bass and ultra-low distortion with an advanced acoustic platform featuring custom layered drivers, and then use one-tap Audio Sharing to sync with other Beats headphones or AirPods2.
Lee has been Reviewed’s point person for most television and home theater products since 2012. Lee received Level II certification in TV calibration from the Imaging Science Foundation in 2013. As Editor of the Home Theater vertical, Lee oversees reviews of TVs, monitors, soundbars, and Bluetooth speakers. He also reviews headphones, and has a background in music performance. You can certainly flex while using these, but you might have to get your pump on with a sweat-resistant pair.
Overall, the Beats Flex is a truly solid pair of earphones that won’t leave you wishing you’d spent more. It’s hard to imagine a more complete neckband product at this price point. If there’s one word to describe the Beats Flex, it’s ‘convenience’. If you’re an Android user, these connect using Bluetooth but won’t give you the features above.
Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence. That means the Beats Flex won’t support some iOS 14 features, including automatic switching to another device or hands-free Siri support.