Apple is known for setting newer trends and higher standards. And continuing its tradition, the Cupertino company announced new wireless Airpods during iPhone 7 keynote. But you have to be patient till the AirPods ship – which is not likely to happen until late October. The AirPods sport the W1 wireless chip – which you’ll find in several Beats headphones. Until the AirPods are available, the recently released Beats Solo3 On-Ear Wireless Headphones, which also feature the same W1 chip, are a good alternative. If you are planning to buy the new wireless Beats Solo3 headphones, we have compiled a list of things to help you get to know more about these headphones. Read on!
Pairing
The Beats Solo3 headphones can be paired with iOS 10. The headphone provides users with updated pairing process instructions for iOS 10. To pair the headphone in iOS 10, follow these steps – You can also simultaneously connect Beats Solo3 to your iPhone and Apple Watch. The best thing about W1 chip in Beats Solo3 is its capability for iCloud integration. Once you pair with one iOS 10 device, the information propagates across all iCloud-enabled devices running iOS 10.
- Turn on Bluetooth (via Control Center).
- Press Beats Solo3 power button for a second.
- Hold the headphones near unlocked iPhone.
- Follow the instructions that appear onscreen.
You can also simultaneously connect Beats Solo3 to your iPhone and Apple Watch. The best thing about W1 chip in Beats Solo3 is its capability for iCloud integration. Once you pair with one iOS 10 device, the information propagates across all iCloud-enabled devices running iOS 10.
Range
Beats Solo3 offers range up to 400 ft. Although the official specs do not say anything about the range, 400 ft. is a decent approximation provided by users who have already used the wireless Beats Solo3.
Sound Quality and Ergonomics
The tiny leather-like plush cups for ears score high on ergonomics, give your ears a soft, comfortable feel. The sound quality is good on the low-end bass with enough attention to details on the mid and high-end bass.
Battery Life
With wireless headphones, battery life is a concern. The Beats Solo3 does a good job in this segment. It lasts up to 40 hours on a single charge – about 60% more than Beats Solo2. 40 hours is a pretty good number for a wireless headphone.
On Board Controls
The Beats Solo3 features ample on board controls. The left ear cup has all needed controls, in addition to a microphone for sending commands to Siri. With on board controls, you can control music playback, volume, and Siri invocation. Battery life is denoted by a fuel gauge featuring five small LEDs on the right ear cup.
RemoteTalk Headphone Cable
The Beats Solo3 headphones are wireless but come with a RemoteTalk headphone cable with 3.5mm headphone jacks. With this, you can turn the wireless Beats Solo3 headphone into wired Beats Solo3 headphone and enjoy music when you run out of battery.
Fast Fuel
Beats Solo3’s Fast Fuel feature allows you to enjoy 3 hours of non-stop music for just 5 minutes of charging. This is a great feature that is of immense help when you run out of battery completely.
No Lightning
The Beats Solo3 requires a micro USB cable for charging and does not support lightning charge. This is one feature that sounds “not-so-good” compared to the other specs. With the Beats X Wireless earphones supporting lightning connectivity, the Beats Solo3 lags in this front.
Build Quality
The Beats Solo3 are made out of a lot of plastic material – including the headband and outer ear cups. You get to see metal in very few places. The headphone is almost entirely made of plastic. When it comes to build quality, the Beats Solo3 could have been better.
Price
The Beats Solo3 is priced at $299 and is pretty expensive. For the feature improvements that it provides over and above Beats Solo2, $299 is slightly on the higher end.
Already got a Beats Solo3 headphone? What do you like most about the new wireless headphone? Post your thoughts in the comments section.