The Beats Pill speaker has made a stylish comeback, combining impressive sound performance with a modern design. Originally launched under Beats Electronics—a brand co-founded in 2006 by rapper and record producer Dr Dre—the speaker returns after being discontinued in 2022. With Apple’s acquisition of Beats in 2014 for $3.2 billion, the brand has become a cornerstone in Apple’s ecosystem, known for its high-quality audio products.
Available in five striking colours—Champagne Gold, Statement Red, Dark Gray, Light Gray, and Matte Black—the latest Beats Pill is priced at ₹16,900 in India. The sleek capsule-shaped design remains a signature feature, offering a portable and stable form factor ideal for everyday use. Its understated aesthetic ensures it fits seamlessly into both modern and casual settings.
Design and Build
The Pill’s design prioritises style and practicality. Its horizontal structure ensures stability on desks and tables, while the matte finish enhances its elegant appearance. A USB-C charging port located at the back serves a dual purpose: charging the device and delivering high-resolution audio playback when connected to a compatible output device using a USB-C cable.
With an IP67 rating, the Beats Pill is resistant to dust and water, making it suitable for outdoor adventures and robust enough for daily handling. Weighing slightly more than competing speakers in its category, the build feels solid and durable, though the inability to stand the device upright may be a minor limitation for users seeking flexible placement options.
Performance and Features
The Beats Pill offers an excellent audio experience. Its sound profile is designed to deliver a powerful, room-filling performance, making it an ideal choice for small gatherings or home listening. The bass is punchy yet balanced, ensuring clarity across genres without overwhelming other elements of the music.
Pairing the speaker is effortless, particularly with iOS devices. In tests, the Beats Pill connected seamlessly to various Apple products, maintaining stable performance throughout. Android users will also find compatibility smooth, reflecting the speaker’s versatility across platforms.
The device boasts an impressive battery life of up to 24 hours, ensuring uninterrupted playback during extended use. This feature, combined with its compact and portable design, makes the Pill a reliable companion for travel and outdoor events.
Usability and Quirks
While the overall user experience is commendable, the speaker isn’t without quirks. Turning the device on requires holding the power button for a slightly extended period. Pressing it for too long can unintentionally activate pairing mode, which may confuse new users. Additionally, the speaker lacks an auto-off feature, meaning it stays powered on even when idle for extended periods, potentially affecting battery efficiency.
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These minor inconveniences aside, the Pill remains easy to use, with intuitive controls for playback, volume, and pairing located conveniently on the device.
Competition and Market Position
In a market dominated by established brands like Bose, JBL, Marshall, and Sony, the Beats Pill holds its ground with a combination of quality construction, reliable sound performance, and aesthetic appeal. While some competitors may offer additional features, the Pill’s long battery life, sleek design, and durability make it a strong contender in its price range.
The return of the Beats Pill is a welcome development for fans of portable Bluetooth speakers. Its blend of stylish design, solid audio performance, and dependable battery life ensures it appeals to a wide audience, from casual listeners to tech enthusiasts. Despite a few quirks, the speaker’s overall quality and reliability reaffirm Beats’ reputation as a leader in the audio industry.
Whether you’re looking to elevate your home audio setup or take your music on the go, the Beats Pill proves to be a worthy investment.
