They lack an H1 chip, which is unusual for a Beats product. This means you can’t seamlessly pair them with your Apple devices. Instead, they feature a ‘one-touch pairing’ system that works for iOS and Android. On the upside, they support Apple’s Spatial Audio feature for a more immersive experience, but this is only supported on compatible apps like Apple Music. Unlike the last true wireless earbuds from Beats, which you can read about in our Beats Powerbeats Pro review, the Beats Studio Buds come in a case that’s almost as sleek and small as the earbuds themselves. The case is egg-shaped, not unlike that of the new Google Pixel Buds Series-A, and features a single USB-C port on the bottom and a status LED on the front. Pop it open and you’ll find the earbuds. To pull them out, you pinch on the outer control panel and pull them up. The control panel is raised, and that helps the buds slip firmly into the ear without any over-ear hooks or a fin that pushes against the outer ear. The buds then sit almost flush with the ear, and while you won’t be able to wear them to sleep (they stick out a bit too far for that), they’re still supremely comfortable. In terms of water-resistance, the Beats Studio Buds are rated IPX4, making them sweat-resistant but not waterproof. That means you certainly can take them to the gym for a quick workout, however, without the earhooks they’re a little less secure and the lack of outright waterproofing means that they’re certainly not something you should be bringing out to the beach with you. Inside the box you’ll find a USB-C to USB-C charging cable and additional eartips. Disappointingly, all of the included eartips are silicone instead of foam – and they only come in two extra sizes – but most people should have everything they need to get a proper seal and a good fit. Beats designed the Studio Buds to work with both Apple and Android phones with just a tap. All you need to do is open the case near either device and you’ll see them pop up on your screen, ready to pair. Now, that’s because the Studio Buds are running a proprietary wireless chip that’s not exactly the W1 or H1 Chip we’ve seen in other Apple earbuds. That’s both refreshing for Android owners who haven’t been catered to as well in recent years by the Beats brand since its acquisition by Apple and a bit of a disappointment for some Apple users who enjoy features like multipoint pairing with other Apple devices and hands-free Siri. The battery life on offer in the Beats Studio Buds is fine but not great. They’re only good for five hours per charge, or 15 hours with the case, when you have either ANC or Transparency mode turned on, which isn’t awful and certainly falls in line with other noise-cancelling earbuds. What’s more, the Beats Studio Buds don’t support wireless charging, which isn’t a deal-breaker, but can be a minor inconvenience if you already have a charging pad setup for your other devices. The good news is that the Studio Buds do support fast-charging, and can get one hour of playback time from just five minutes on the charger.
