This is a dialed-up, bass-forward sound signature with equal doses of brightness. The sound lacks clarity, detail and feels slightly muffled. The competition isn’t perfect but at least has a better technical performance. The beats flex review sound signature is more balanced than with other models in this range. The same performance continues with mobile games, which is very impressive. The delay is so minimal that it’s suitable even for more competitive games.
Apple’s numbers assume you’re at 50% volume, so if you’re a closet metalhead like us, then expect closer to hours. Even on an Android device, you can use the Beats app to pair the headphones and keep an eye on your battery life. The other advantage of the neckband is that it leaves somewhere for controls and buttons to sit. On the right side of the neckband there is another identical sized control section, but this only has the power on/Bluetooth connection button on it. Design is definitely a huge positive as these wireless earphones feature a loop which goes around the back of your head that means you can’t drop or misplace a ‘bud when you pop it out of your ear. Instead, they simply dangle around your neck on the thin cord.
Their bass-heavy sound profile is better-suited for genres like EDM and hip-hop, especially as their underemphasized treble range veils vocals and dull sibilants. Due to their closed-back, in-ear design, they also don’t have a very immersive soundstage. Their companion app is very limited and doesn’t have an EQ or presets to allow you to adjust their sound to your liking. While I can’t say I’m personally ready to go back to wires, the Flex is a solid neckband-style style pair of earbuds that I mostly enjoyed using.
And it included great battery life to just round out a solid features list. But even at $50, you have to be willing to make some sacrifices — mostly in the audio department. At the end of the day, the Beats Flex works well, and sounds okay enough to be just fine for a lot of people. Connectivity is a hallmark on all Apple-related products, and as I previously mentioned, the W1 chip does a solid job of pairing to devices on multiple platforms. The standard stable connection for most true wireless earbuds is about 30 to 35 feet away from an audio source, and these buds surpass that mark by about 10 feet.
From the $250 AirPods Pro to the $150 Powerbeats, where do the Beats Flex fit into Apple’s headphone lineup? These are the headphones you get your kids for Christmas alongside their new Apple Watch or iPhone SE. These are the earbuds you get for working remotely for convenient pairing across your Apple devices. These are the Beats you buy because you can’t justify spending $100 more on those Powerbeats, but you really like the brand.
The button lets you play or pause tracks with a single press, or skip tracks with a double-press. You can also summon Siri with a long press for more granular music controls using your voice in Apple Music. The Beats Flex uses a neckstrap design to deliver way more battery power than true wireless earbuds. You also can’t lose one or the other, although you can lose both. And that’s why there’s a place for them in today’s highly competitive headphones market.
On the left side, the three-button remote is gone, replaced by a single, round multi-function button for pause/skip/back and a separate volume rocker on the side. There’s a pill-shaped grille covering the integrated microphone, and on this side you’ll also find the USB-C connector. The Flex-Form cable that conforms to your neck feels a little thinner than what was on the Beats X, so I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t slightly concerned about long-term durability. Beats assured me that the Flex earbuds have passed the company’s usual set of reliability tests. The Beats Flex are simple, colorful in-ears with a neck cable design. They have 11 hours of continuous playback time and can be seamlessly paired with any Apple product, thanks to their W1 chip.
Beats’ upgraded mic array does provide improved voice calling, though the Beats Flex’s call quality remains a level below any of the Powerbeats models and the BeatsX. When taking my wife’s calls outside, she could hear my voice clearly, but also heard the external noises around me; the construction taking place next door and wind were unavoidable. She did praise the volume levels and liked that even with such distractions, I was still audible. Being on Zoom calls inside the house was more rewarding, with a few clients complimenting how loud and clear I sounded.