The Beats Pill speaker is making a comeback with a new and improved version for 2024. The portable Bluetooth speaker, priced at $149.99, is now available for preorder and will hit stores on June 27th. The revamped Beats Pill retains a similar design to its predecessors but comes with some significant upgrades.

It now features IP67 dust and water resistance, making it more durable for use in various environments. The speaker also supports native software features like Find My / Find My Device for both iOS and Android platforms. The new Beats Pill comes in three color options: black, red, and gold.

While it remains a mono speaker, the updated tweeter and woofer combination promises better sound quality compared to the previous Beats Pill Plus. Other notable features include a battery life of up to 24 hours, speakerphone functionality, and the ability to pair two Pill speakers together for synchronized playback in either stereo or mono mode. One of the most important additions is the versatile USB-C port.

This port serves multiple purposes: it charges the Beats Pill, can juice up external devices, and supports line-in audio. Beats has continued its effort to cater equally to both Android and iOS users. The new Pill offers one-tap pairing, Find My / Find My Device functionality, and other features for both platforms.

For those eager to experience the latest in personal audio technology from Beats, the new Pill speaker is a promising option. It combines an extended battery life, enhanced durability, and versatile connectivity options, making it a strong contender in the portable speaker market. The revamped Beats Pill is more than just a lazy remaster.

It includes unexpected features like lossless audio over USB-C, appealing to both iOS and Android users alike. At its core, the new Pill is a mono Bluetooth speaker.

Beats Pill gets major improvements

While there are always sound quality tradeoffs at this compact size, it’s the extras and features that really help the refreshed Beats Pill stand out. The speaker supports lossless audio playback over USB-C. You can also use the same USB-C port to charge external devices, a convenience mirrored by many competitors.

There’s a detachable lanyard for portability, and the device is rated IP67 for dust and water resistance. Battery life has doubled to a maximum of 24 hours, and the Pill still includes speakerphone functionality. It supports both Android and iOS, offering one-tap setup and Find My / Find My Device.

The Pill features a redesigned woofer and tweeter. According to Beats, the racetrack-style woofer is capable of 90 percent more air volume displacement and stronger motor force compared to the Pill Plus. Both the woofer and tweeter have a 20 percent upward tilt to allow sound to reach your ears more naturally when the Pill is positioned on a desk or table.

While the Pill can’t output stereo like the Pill Plus, the components have improved. For stereo playback, you can wirelessly link two Pills together. In most casual listening scenarios, the Beats Pill performs well.

It’s clear, can crank fairly loud, and is tuned well for today’s chart toppers. Some tracks may not handle the mono mixdown gracefully, but this is a common issue among speakers of this size. The Pill’s speakerphone functionality is commendable, thanks to Beats’ noise-suppression algorithm, which effectively isolates your voice from background noise.

There’s little to dislike about the remastered Beats Pill if you can overlook its mono output — and many will have no trouble doing so. It works well, enduring outdoor adventures, with long battery life and numerous bonus features beyond Bluetooth playback. At the asking price of $150, the Pill is more than competitive.