Apple has quietly increased Beats Flex price by $20, no explanation given whatsoever, going from $50 to $70 for a pair of these wireless earbuds that debuted in December 2020.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS:
- Apple now charges $70 for a pair of Beats Flex earbuds
- They used to cost $50, making them an attractive impulse buy
- People must now pay more for the same product as before
- Our best guess for the price hike: rising material and part prices
Betas Flex price increases to $70
Apple used to position Beats Flex as entry-level earbuds delivering great sound and seamless integration with Apple devices at an attractive price point. With the price increase, however, the value proposition has changed. Now you must pay extra to get all the same features as before.
The price boost was first noted by Brazilian editor of MacMagazine, Pedro Henrique, on Twitter.
The most likely reason for this: the industry-wide shortage of components. And as if the chip shortage wasn’t enough, now companies like Apple’s subsidiary Beats must pay makers across Asia more money for other parts. Read:Â Tips for making the most of your AirPods Pro
No matter how you look at it, this is an industry problem that continues to plague various market verticals and companies as the world continues to grapple with the pandemic.
Beats Flex are in-ear Bluetooth headphones sporting a band that goes around the back of your neck. The earbuds offer 12 hours of battery life, with a fast-charge feature giving you 1.5 hours of media playback with just 10 minutes of charging.
Thanks to the Apple W1 chip, the earbuds offer the same zero-configuration experience as AirPods, including automatic pairing, device switching, audio sharing and more.
You can buy Beats Flex on Apple.com in Flame Blue, Beats Black, Smoke Gray and Yuzu Yellow. You can get them for less from Amazon and other retailers, but you need to act fast.