After a long hiatus, the Beats Pill has made its triumphant return, and it’s not just a simple rehash of its predecessor. This latest iteration marks a significant evolution in the product line, incorporating features that Apple devotees have been clamoring for since the tech giant’s acquisition of Beats a decade ago. But does this new pill cure all audio ailments, or does it leave a bitter aftertaste?
The new Beats Pill represents a visual leap forward from its ancestor, the Beats Pill+. Its sleeker, more rounded shape embodies the essence of its name, resembling an oval-shaped medicinal capsule. The smooth lines and contours showcase Beats’ continued commitment to aesthetic excellence.
Wrapped in silicone, save for the front speaker grille, the Beats Pill offers a tactile experience that’s both pleasing to the touch and practical for portability. The lightweight construction, tipping the scales at a mere 680 grams (or 690 grams with the lanyard attached), makes it an easy addition to any outdoor excursion.
The Beats Pill’s bottle-like form factor allows it to slip effortlessly into a backpack’s side cup holder. While 700 grams might seem negligible, it could become noticeable during extended carry periods. However, for specific outdoor scenarios like camping, working in open spaces, or vacationing, the added weight is a small price to pay for portable audio bliss.
Durability is a key feature of the new Beats Pill. Its silicone casing provides a robust exterior, while additional gaskets and seals in the acoustic chassis contribute to an impressive IP67 dustproof and water-resistant rating. This level of protection ensures that beach outings and poolside parties are no longer off-limits for your portable audio companion.
With a formidable 24-hour battery life, the Beats Pill is ready for marathon listening sessions. The inclusion of fast charging technology is a game-changer for outdoor enthusiasts, providing up to 2 hours of playback with a mere 10-minute charge. This feature alone could be the difference between silence and a soundtrack for your impromptu adventures.
The button layout of the new Beats Pill mirrors that of its predecessor, maintaining a sense of continuity for long-time users. The most notable upgrade is the shift from a Lightning port to USB-C, aligning with current industry standards. This port serves double duty, supporting reverse charging for connected devices and outputting lossless audio via a wired connection, with impressive specs of 48 kHz/24-bit.
Initial expectations for a mono Bluetooth speaker might be tempered, but the Beats Pill delivers an audio experience that surpasses preconceptions. The mids and lows shine particularly bright, with vocals cutting through with clarity and instruments maintaining their distinct layers. True to the Beats brand, the bass response is robust, offering depth and clarity in both percussive elements and string instruments.
As a standalone unit, the Beats Pill doesn’t offer spatial or directional sound, resulting in a somewhat flat listening experience. However, Beats provides a workaround: pairing two Pill speakers for a true stereo setup. This feature, while not unique in the portable speaker market, is executed well and significantly enhances the audio landscape.
The Beats Pill seamlessly integrates into the Apple ecosystem, offering one-touch pairing, iCloud sync, and FindMy tracking capabilities. While it lacks the automatic switching feature found in devices with Apple chips, the iCloud sync allows for easy audio source switching across Apple devices.
Siri support is present, albeit with a slight twist. Unlike HomePods, you can’t activate Siri hands-free. Instead, a double-press of the power button summons the virtual assistant. Interestingly, the Beats Pill acts as both speaker and microphone for Siri commands, extending its functionality beyond mere audio playback.
In a commendable move, Beats continues to cater to Android users. The Beats app for Android provides comparable features to its iOS counterpart, including one-touch pairing, device sync, audio switching, and tracking capabilities. This cross-platform support broadens the Beats Pill’s appeal beyond the Apple faithful.
Despite the numerous improvements, one glaring omission remains: AirPlay support. This absence is particularly puzzling given Apple’s 2017 WWDC announcement that Beats would soon support AirPlay 2. The lack of this feature limits the Beats Pill’s integration into multi-room audio setups and prevents direct control by other family members within the Apple ecosystem.
The return of the Beats Pill is undoubtedly cause for celebration among audio enthusiasts and Apple users. Its improved design, robust feature set, and impressive sound quality make it a compelling option in the portable speaker market. However, the absence of AirPlay support and some advanced features found in competing products at similar price points may give some potential buyers pause.
New Beats Pill represents both a step forward and a reminder of unfulfilled promises. It’s a speaker that delivers on many fronts but leaves room for improvement in others. For those deeply entrenched in the Apple ecosystem or seeking a stylish, durable portable speaker with solid sound quality, the new Beats Pill might just be the audio prescription they’ve been waiting for. However, for users craving seamless multi-room audio integration or AirPlay functionality, this pill might be a bit harder to swallow.
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