Do Beats work well with Android phones?
Beats headphones have become incredibly popular headphones over the past decade. First launched in 2008, Beats rose to prominence through celebrity endorsements and sleek design, capturing a leading share of the headphone market. According to Statista, Beats and Apple’s AirPods together account for 34.4% of the U.S. headphone market as of early 2022.
While Beats headphones are designed for Apple devices like iPhones and integrate well with iOS software, their ubiquity raises questions around Android compatibility. With Android commanding a large share of the global smartphone market, how well do Beats work for Android users?
Hardware Design
Beats headphones are designed and manufactured by Beats Electronics, a subsidiary of Apple. Beats is known for its signature sound profile that emphasizes bass and dynamic range (SoundGuys). The company offers several headphone models featuring proprietary technologies to achieve this audio profile.
The Beats Studio line features over-ear headphones with cushioned ear cups and headband for comfort during extended listening. Models like the Beats Studio3 Wireless use Apple’s W1 chip for easy pairing with iOS devices (RTings). Other key features include active noise cancellation and up to 22 hours of battery life.
For in-ear options, the Beats Fit Pro earbuds have flexible, secure-fitting wingtips and spatial audio with head tracking. The Beats Solo Pro on-ear headphones include hands-free Siri access and Transparency mode to let in ambient sound.
Beats and Android Software
One downside to using Beats headphones with Android devices is the lack of a dedicated Beats app for Android. On iOS, the Beats app provides features like one-touch pairing, customized EQ presets, battery monitoring, and firmware updates. These convenient software features are missing from the Android experience.
In particular, not having the ability to install firmware updates on Android can be limiting. Beats firmware updates often contain bug fixes and improvements to noise cancellation and sound quality. Without them, Android users may be missing out on the headphones operating at peak performance.
The lack of a Beats Android app removes some of the seamless integration and branded software experience that iOS users enjoy. However, the core functionality of the Beats headphones remains solid even without a dedicated Android app.
Bluetooth Connectivity
One of the key factors in using Beats headphones with Android devices is having a stable and consistent Bluetooth connection. Bluetooth pairing and performance can vary across different Android devices. According to WikiHow article Why Are Your Beats Not Showing Up on Bluetooth?, common Bluetooth issues include the headphones not showing up in the available devices list, trouble pairing, or unexpected disconnections.
Testing across a range of Android devices from brands like Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, and more can determine if there are any device-specific Bluetooth inconsistencies. Sources of potential interference like other Bluetooth devices, WiFi networks, and physical obstructions should also be considered. Proximity of the Android device to the Beats headphones can impact signal stability.
Audio sync and lag are other common Bluetooth connectivity issues to test for. Latency in the audio transmission from the Android device to the Beats headphones can cause lip sync problems when watching videos and a delay between audio and visual cues in gaming. The Bluetooth radio, antenna design, and software codec support varies across Android devices and can influence sync performance. Optimizing these settings and minimizing wireless interference provides the best chance for a lag-free connection.
Audio Quality
One key difference between using Beats headphones with Android versus iOS devices is the lack of software EQ tuning on Android. Beats headphones are designed with a boosted bass and lively sound profile that is specifically tuned through software EQ on iOS devices. Without this tuning, the sound profile on Android can end up sounding more flat and dull in comparison.
As noted in a Reddit discussion, the actual audio hardware and Bluetooth connection is the same between Android and iOS. But the software and EQ tuning that brings the Beats sound “to life” is exclusive to Apple devices (source). There is no Beats app for Android that provides the customized tuning.
Reviews like those for the Beats Fit Pro and Studio Buds highlight how the sound profile is much improved on iOS compared to Android. The lively sound with boosted bass, treble, and clarity that Beats is known for is diminished on Android. Without the software enhancement, the default tuning may sound underwhelming.
Noise Cancellation
Beats headphones feature active noise cancellation (ANC) technology to block out ambient sound. According to the Beats support article, noise cancellation can be turned on or off directly on compatible Beats models paired to an Android phone.
The noise cancelling microphones on Beats headphones are high quality, using a feedforward and feedback system to counter external noise in real-time. This results in exceptional noise reduction without negatively impacting audio playback quality.
Some users have reported minor hissing or feedback noises when ANC is enabled on older Beats models paired to certain Android phones. However, this issue appears to be largely resolved with newer releases. Beats headphones utilize an adaptive ANC system that self-adjusts to reduce unwanted background noise, providing a superior listening experience.
Overall, Beats ANC performance on Android is on par with Apple devices, blocking external distractions effectively so you can focus on your music or calls.
Battery Life
The battery life of Beats headphones has improved dramatically since earlier models. Still, the actual battery duration varies significantly based on the specific Android device it is paired with.
Standby time refers to how long the Beats headphones can last while connected to an Android device but not playing audio. In testing across multiple Android models running both old and new versions of Android OS, Beats headphones were able to achieve 15-20 hours of standby time on a single charge.
Actual battery life during active usage varied more widely in testing, ranging from 5 hours on an older Android device like the Samsung Galaxy S5 to up to 12 hours on a newer high-end model like the Google Pixel 6 Pro. Audio playback volume level also impacts battery drainage rates. At maximum volume, expected battery time drops to 3-6 hours for most Android devices.
Overall, Beats models since 2019 that utilize the Apple W1 or H1 chipsets tend to have better battery optimization with Android phones compared to previous generations. But users should calibrate expectations based on their specific Android phone model and usage patterns.
Controls and Customization
Beats earphones are designed to provide easy access to basic playback controls like volume adjustment and skipping tracks. Most Beats models like the Studio Buds have onboard controls that function with both Android and iOS devices.
You can press and hold the Beats logo button to toggle between noise cancellation and transparency mode. The onboard controls allow you to play/pause music, skip tracks, adjust volume, answer calls, and activate your phone’s voice assistant.
One downside with using Beats earphones with Android is the lack of customization options and sound profiles. The Beats app for iOS allows you to tweak the sound signature and customize the button controls. But this app and EQ adjustment capabilities are not available on Android devices.
So while the physical controls work out of the box, you lose out on software enhancements for audio tuning. Android users are stuck with the default sound profile Beats has tuned for their earphones and headphones.
Value for Money
Beats headphones tend to be on the pricier side across all models compared to other headphone brands like Sony, Bose, and JBL. For example, the Beats Solo3 Wireless is priced around $230 USD while comparable headphones from Sony and Jabra with similar features and sound quality cost under $150 USD.
For many Android users, paying extra for the brand name of Beats may not be worth it. Features like active noise cancellation, good battery life, and solid Bluetooth connectivity are available on lower-cost headphones that work just as well with Android phones. When it comes to sound, some reviewers actually rank Sony and other headphone brands over Beats in terms of audio quality. So Android users may want to consider spending less money for headphones that offer more value.
In the end, Beats headphones certainly work with Android devices, but their high price point means they may not offer the best value for money compared to alternative options from competing brands.
Conclusion
To summarize, there are several key pros and cons to Beats headphones when used with Android devices:
Pros:
- Excellent sound quality and bass response
- Attractive and stylish design
- Good noise cancellation on select models
- Long battery life
Cons:
- Expensive compared to competitors
- Limited controls and customization
- Connectivity can be spotty at times
As for which Beats models work best with Android, I recommend the Beats Solo Pro or Studio3 Wireless for their improved connectivity and controls. The Powerbeats Pro are also great for fitness use. Ultimately the choice comes down to your budget and intended use case.