Beats discontinued its last Bluetooth speaker, the Pill+, back in 2022. Before this decision, Beats had enjoyed success with a range of smaller, portable speakers, including the original Pill and Pill XL models.
9 years after the last release, Beats has reintroduced its new Pill portable speaker, showcasing a completely redesigned and re-engineered version.
The most noticeable change in the new Beats Pill is its 20-degree upward tilt, which the company claims enhances sound projection. Beats promises “more powerful, room-filling sound, bigger bass, and improved tonality” thanks to an updated woofer and tweeter combination designed to reduce distortion. Additionally, the new Pill is 10 percent lighter than the Pill+ and features a removable lanyard for easier portability. The speaker is also IP67 rated for dust and water resistance, making it durable enough to survive brief submersion in water.
Similar to previous models, users can sync two Beats Pill speakers for stereo audio. There are two modes available: Amplify Mode for louder sound and Stereo Mode, which separates the left and right audio channels. Beats has also improved the speakerphone capabilities by incorporating a noise-learning algorithm to minimize environmental noise, making it easier to pick up voices during calls.
The new Beats Pill retains its on-device controls for music, volume, pairing, and power. It charges via USB-C, which can also be used to charge a phone or send lossless audio from a laptop or other device. According to Beats, the speaker offers up to 24 hours of battery life, with a Fast Fuel feature that provides two hours of use after just 10 minutes of charging. One-touch pairing is available for both iOS and Android devices, and the speaker is compatible with Find My and Find My Device features.
The new Beats Pill is available for pre-order in black, gold, and red color options for $150. Beats plans to start shipping the speaker on June 27.