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Beats Pill+ Portable Bluetooth Speaker
The Beats Pill+ (often stylized as “Pill Plus”) is a compact, wireless Bluetooth speaker from Beats by Dre, emphasizing powerful bass, portability, and seamless connectivity. Released in 2015 as the first Beats speaker under Apple ownership, it builds on the original Pill with stereo sound, enhanced battery life, and multi-device features.
Key Features
- Sound Quality: Stereo 2-way active crossover system with redesigned drivers for fuller bass, clarity, and dynamic range across genres. It gets loud (up to 85dB) with minimal distortion, but lacks app-based EQ for customization.
- Battery and Charging: Up to 12 hours of playback on a full charge (via Lightning cable). Includes a USB-A port for reverse charging other devices (e.g., your phone). Quick charge: 3 hours for a full top-up.
- Durability: No official IP rating, but it’s rugged enough for everyday travel with a soft-touch finish and compact pill-shaped design (8.3 x 1.9 x 1.8 inches, 0.77 lbs).
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0 with NFC for easy pairing (iOS/Android via companion app). Built-in mic and speakerphone for clear calls. Supports 3.5mm aux input for wired non-Bluetooth devices.
- Multi-Speaker Modes (via app):
- Stereo Pairing: Link two Pill+ units for left/right channels.
- DJ Mode: Multiple users can alternate tracks from their devices.
- Amplify: Sync for louder mono playback.
Setup and Use
- Pairing: Download the Beats Pill+ app (iOS) or Beats app (Android). Hold the ‘b’ button until the LED blinks, then select Pill+ in your device’s Bluetooth menu. NFC enables one-touch pairing.
- Controls: Top-mounted volume buttons, ‘b’ logo for play/pause/calls, power button for on/off/battery check.
- App Features: Firmware updates, speaker linking, and multi-user DJ handoff.
Pros and Cons
Aspect Pros Cons Audio Punchy bass, stereo output, app-enhanced pairing No EQ tweaks; mids can feel recessed; outdated Bluetooth (4.0) vs. modern 5.3 Build Lightweight, portable, aux/USB ports No water resistance; Lightning charging feels dated (no USB-C) User buzz on X (formerly Twitter) highlights giveaways and deals, like Delizza’s “Beats & Treats” promo bundling a Pill with free dessert coupons. Reviews praise its bass for travel/movies but note latency for gaming unless wired. If you meant pairing the Pill+ with a different Bluetooth speaker (e.g., Bose or JBL), it works via aux or app-sync for multi-room audio—let me know for specifics!



