Beats Pill Review: For bass lovers out there

Beats Pill Review: After being discontinued in 2022, Beats, the Apple-owned brand, has launched its latest Bluetooth speaker, the Beats Pill. Sporting a compact design, this speaker feels like a capable device and seems set to carve out its own space in the already competitive Bluetooth speaker market. With a detachable lanyard, the device is easy to carry. Let’s delve deeper into the features and upgrades of this much-awaited offering from Beats.

Beats Pill Review: Compact design with portability factor

Boasting an oblong pill-shaped design, the Beats Pill is highly portable, weighing 680 g. Featuring the signature smooth curves typical of Beats, the device is available in three colour options: Gold, Statement Red, and Matte Black. The front showcases a metallic grille, while the entire body is wrapped in silicone material with a matte finish. The Beats logo is located at the centre, adding a touch of class, and elevating the overall aesthetics. However, the device does not feature the 3.5mm port. 

The speaker comes with a removable lanyard, colour-matched to the device, on the right side. The lanyard makes it a perfect device for outdoor use. At the bottom, the speaker features four anti-slip feet, ensuring a good grip on various surfaces. The top houses the control panel, which includes the power button towards the left, accompanied by a status indicator LED, a pinhole microphone, a multifunction button, and volume controls. The central button handles the playback functionality, offering usual controls like one press for play or pause, two for skipping the tracks, and three for going back. 

Notably, pressing the power button twice activates the smartphone’s voice assistant. The speaker also has an IP67 certification for dust and water resistance. 

Beats Pill Review: Some standout features, some misses

The Beats Pill boasts several standout features, such as the ability to play audio by connecting to the source via a USB-C cable. It offers fast pairing with iOS devices and is compatible with the ‘Find My’ feature, which helps locate your speaker if misplaced. The device seamlessly integrates with the Android ecosystem as well, courtesy of the Google Fast Pair and Find My Device. It supports Bluetooth 5.3 and is compatible with AAC and SBC codecs. 

Additionally, the device gets a dedicated section in the iOS section, allowing users to customise the device, which includes audio adjustments, updating firmware, and more. Android users, however, need to download the Beats app to use the device optimally. A notable downside is the absence of EQ customisation, which may disappoint some users. 

Beats Pill Review: Sound quality

One thing that sets the Beats Pill apart from other devices is its capability to deliver a good bass punch despite its compact size. It features a pair of drivers, a racetrack woofer and an isolated tweeter, positioned at a 20-degree angle. The re-engineered tweeter is designed to reduce distortion, while the racetrack woofer handles bass with 90 per cent more air volume displacement. The speaker also uses passive radiators to enhance the overall output. 

When playing bass-heavy tracks, the speaker provides good details, ensuring decent low-frequency output, though it may get slightly distorted at maximum volume. The mid-range bass reproduction is a highlight of its sound quality. Overall, the sound quality is balanced, delivering decent vocals and crisp frequencies. 

Beats Pill Review: Battery and charging

The Beats Pillgives up to 24 hours of battery life. Charging it with a 45W charger takes almost two hours and thirty minutes to get fully charged. The battery performance varies depending on the level of volume level; at a mid-volume (40-60%), the device can last a full day. The USB-C charging cable included with the box can also be used to charge other Beats devices. Additionally, a quick 10-minute charge provides up to 2 hours of playback. 

Beats Pill Review: Verdict

It won’t be an exaggeration to say that the Beats Pill punches on par with its weight, ‘punch’ being referred to the context of its bass-heavy output, complemented efficiently by clear mid sounds and decent highs. Its compact design and portability make it an excellent device for outdoor use. It integrates well with both Android and iOS ecosystems. However, the absence of features like multipoint connectivity and adjustable EQ are notable drawbacks. Nevertheless, the device is a worthy option for audiophiles seeking a stylish speaker, with a sturdy build, and compact speaker. 

Beats Pill Review: Pros and Cons

Beats Pill Pros: 

- Good sound quality

- Seamless connectivity with iOS and Android

- Compact size with portability factor

- IP67 rating for dust and water resistance

Beats Pill Cons: 

- No multipoint connectivity

- Absence of adjustable EQ functionality in the app