Roger Fingas
Apple on Wednesday lowered the price of its BeatsX headphones from $149.95 to $119.95, simultaneously sacrificing multiple color options.
The headphones are now available in just two colors from Apple, silver and black. Blue, gold, space gray, and even white have been eliminated, as has the black and red "Defiant" option.
The reason for the changes is uncertain. The product may have had trouble competing at its previous price point, which was only about $10 cheaper than AirPods. Both accessories use Apple's W1 wireless chip, supporting easier pairing and steadier connections, but the AirPods are of course fully wireless, and offer additional perks like a charging case.
The main advantages of the BeatsX are an inline remote, and the ability to let them hang around the neck, thanks to cords as well as magnets that lock the earbuds together.
Apple may also have realized that it's being undercut by third-party retailers. B&H, for example, is selling the BeatsX for $99, and Best Buy is even cheaper at $90.
Malcolm Owen
Amber Neely
Christine McKee
Chip Loder
Marko Zivkovic
15 Comments
I know they aren't the best wireless headphones out there, but I've been very happy with my BeatsX. I bought them "certified refurbished" from Best Buy about a year ago for only $59 and they have performed pretty well so far. I prefer the strap style around the neck as I'm pretty active and was worried about losing a single earbud if I had gone with the AirPods. Also I like having inline pause/volume controls on the cord.
Don't know if I would pay full price, but at the price I got them at refurbished they've been a good deal.
It’s that an “Ecks” or a “Ten”?
Makes me wonder why gold/space gray iPhone colors are being dropped. I think they dropped these colors for another headphone line.
Should Beats release a new Pill? Maybe Apple thinks they will canibalize HomePod but damn were Pills successful!
Just to be cool, no other reason I believe.
I tried Air Pods first, but they didn't stay in my ears.
I also tried Powerbeats Wireless3, but they didn't stay in my ears, either. And one over the ear clip eventually broke off.
So I tried BeatsX, and I really like them. Using the "ear wings", they stay in my ears comfortably. I like the easy pairing which makes switching between iMac, iBook, and iPhone, throughout the day, quick and easy.
My iPhone tends to switch its Bluetooth to my Honda CR-V's handsfree when I'm in the car, but I can switch to my BeatsX quickly via iTunes' bluetooth menu at the bottom of the song sheet.
Though they have only an 8-hour charge life, they charge up again quickly.
I also like the magnets which snap together when they're hanging around my neck.
I bought a blue set, but I don't mind the limited color selection, as I'd also be happy with black or silver.
FFFFFFFUUUUUUUUU........
Of course, of course.
Apple almost never ever reduce prices on anything unless it has been superseded.
Oh, except for BeatsX, 6 weeks after I bought them.