A transparent version of the Beats Studio Buds+ briefly made it to Amazon before being pulled down from the site. With a $169.95 price tag, though, it competes directly with the $140 Nothing Ear (2), while offering better ANC, Transparency mode, and the signature Beats sound.
The listing was spotted briefly by a user before Amazon pulled it down, although it did reveal a few crucial details, including the Active Noise-Canceling mode being up to 1.6x more powerful thanks to a more powerful processor, and a better Transparency mode owing to 3x larger microphone modules and changes to the air-vent design. Similar to its predecessor, the Studio Buds+, offers seamless one-touch pairing for both Android and Apple devices, along with support for Spatial Audio and on-device tap controls. The Studio Buds+ also offer a much longer battery life, boasting of 36 hours of use as opposed to the 24 hours on the Studio Buds. The earbud case charges via USB-C, although there’s no mention of wireless charging for the Studio Buds+ yet.
Designer: Apple
The Studio Buds+ boast an IPX4-rated water resistance and will come in XS, S, M, and L ear tip sizes to accommodate a broader range of ear shapes. At $169.95, they offer a sportier and more affordable alternative to Apple’s own $249 AirPods Pro; and now in their transparent avatar (to be fair, the finish is somewhat frosted), lock horns directly with the Nothin Ear (2). If, however, the transparent design doesn’t float your boat, the Studio Buds+ will be available in Black and Ivory options too, starting May 18th.
