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Apple Releases First Firmware Update for Beats Studio Buds +

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Apple today released new firmware for the Beats Studio Buds +, marking the first firmware update to the earbuds since their 2023 launch. The firmware has a build number of 2C318, up from 2A219.

beats-studio-buds-plus-1.jpg

There is no word on what the new firmware includes in terms of features or bug fixes, and Apple does not provide release notes.

The Beats Studio Buds + are Apple's mid-range Beats earbuds, featuring Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, microphones, battery life, and more. The earbuds come in several colors, including a unique transparent design that shows the internals.

As with most of the latest Beats models, the Studio Buds + do not include an Apple audio chip, and are instead equipped with acustom Beats chip that provides better feature parity between iOS and Android devices. The Beats chip supports one-touch pairing and setup, Find My integration, and Siri support, but automatic switching between devices is not available.

The firmware update for the Beats Studio + are delivered over-the-air. Firmware will be installed while the Beats headphones are charging and are in Bluetooth range of an iPhone, iPad, or Mac that's connected to Wi-Fi.

On Android devices, users will need to download the Beats app for Android and connect the Android device to a power outlet to initiate a firmware update.

Update: MacRumors can confirm that the firmware update added Audio Sharing support to the earbuds.

Article Link: Apple Releases First Firmware Update for Beats Studio Buds +
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/09/04/beats-studio-buds-plus-firmware-update/
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Can we go ahead and have a class action lawsuit for how terribly fragile the Apple Beats Fit Pro earbuds were? They broke on me TWICE in a year and I used them for phone calls on my computer.
 
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I’m pretty sure this update adds Audio Sharing support, but since I don’t own the Studio Buds +, I can’t test to confirm.
 
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ItsTheGuz said:
Can we go ahead and have a class action lawsuit for how terribly fragile the Apple Beats Fit Pro earbuds were? They broke on me TWICE in a year and I used them for phone calls on my computer.
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Wrong product. Take your complaints elsewhere.

Back to the topic at hand. Adding some iOS 18 support I’m guessing. I really like my Beats Studio buds +, over the AirPods Pro 2.
 
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Wow, I must have manifested this one into existence lol. This afternoon I pulled my buds+ out of my bag and used them for the first time in probably 3 months. I was searching on Google to try and find the latest firmware version to see if they needed to be updated.

When I checked, I was on 2A219, and just now I reconnected them after seeing this article and lo and behold they already updated themselves to 2C318!
 
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timborama said:
I really like my Beats Studio buds +, over the AirPods Pro 2.
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Really? What specifically makes them more favorable to you? Because I also have the AP2 and I like them a lot but I’ve been eyeing these lately 👀
 
FineWoven said:
Really? What specifically makes them more favorable to you? Because I also have the AP2 and I like them a lot but I’ve been eyeing these lately 👀
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I personally like the matte case better, but it lacks wireless charging. That’s the only downfall really. Especially since it has audio sharing now with this update.

On the plus side, you can control the buttons on the Beats Studio Buds + with only one finger pressing a button, whereas you have to squeeze the stem of the AirPods Pro to play/pause music.
 
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I wish they'd done more transparent colours of these. On the flip side, I should be grateful they didn't as it saved me a lot of money!
 
timborama said:
Wrong product. Take your complaints elsewhere.

Back to the topic at hand. Adding some iOS 18 support I’m guessing. I really like my Beats Studio buds +, over the AirPods Pro 2.
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Given the price and regular discounts, I’m right there with you. I had the original AirPods from release date, and then the original AirPods Pro from release date. They were fine (although original AirPods didn’t fit me well). But cost performance was just not there for me. Especially given how quickly the battery life degrades. Instead of AirPods Pro 2 I got these beats, and I actually prefer over AirPods Pro. The sound is not as good when testing back to back, and it’s pretty obvious. But after a minute or two of listening, I can’t tell. The form factor is much better for me, and the relative value makes me feel happy.
 
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Gengar said:
I personally like the matte case better, but it lacks wireless charging. That’s the only downfall really. Especially since it has audio sharing now with this update.

On the plus side, you can control the buttons on the Beats Studio Buds + with only one finger pressing a button, whereas you have to squeeze the stem of the AirPods Pro to play/pause music.
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I agree with this. If they sold a separate wireless charging case, I would buy that upgrade.

I bought a pair traveling when I forgot to pack my APP2’s. Sound is different (more bass heavy) and they’re more water-resistant, so they’re my gym headphones now. I also don’t think the mics work as well for phone calls (not a problem working out).
 
If anyone finds one bud on a United Flight to Scotland, DM me...LOL. I love those buds, they are really great.
 
jforsander said:
I’m pretty sure this update adds Audio Sharing support, but since I don’t own the Studio Buds +, I can’t test to confirm.
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Yep! The option showed up for me today for the first time. Haven't noticed anything else different yet.
 

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Gengar said:
I personally like the matte case better, but it lacks wireless charging. That’s the only downfall really. Especially since it has audio sharing now with this update.

On the plus side, you can control the buttons on the Beats Studio Buds + with only one finger pressing a button, whereas you have to squeeze the stem of the AirPods Pro to play/pause music.
Click to expand...
Ah gotcha. Yeah the lack of wireless charging is a bit of a letdown for me because that's exclusively how I charge my AirPods case, although that's mainly because they still have a lightning connector and now all my devices except my watch can charge via USB-C so I just forego the cable charging method altogether.

What about how they fit in your ears? That's really the main reason I'm feeling tempted to look into other options because as good as the AirPods Pro sound, it drives me crazy how easily they come loose or fall out completely when doing the simplest things like smiling or eating. I've tried every size ear tip and even some third-party tips and still have the same problem. I think it's because of how they're weighed down by the stems.
 
The new firmware adds mute-by-button feature during a call. You can now choose in settings if you want single or double button push to mute the mic during a call, and end call shortcut will be set the other way.

The android Beats app had a popup to explain this new feature after firmware update.
 
FineWoven said:
Ah gotcha. Yeah the lack of wireless charging is a bit of a letdown for me because that's exclusively how I charge my AirPods case, although that's mainly because they still have a lightning connector and now all my devices except my watch can charge via USB-C so I just forego the cable charging method altogether.

What about how they fit in your ears? That's really the main reason I'm feeling tempted to look into other options because as good as the AirPods Pro sound, it drives me crazy how easily they come loose or fall out completely when doing the simplest things like smiling or eating. I've tried every size ear tip and even some third-party tips and still have the same problem. I think it's because of how they're weighed down by the stems.
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They fit nicely in my ears with the default tips. I do have pretty normal shaped ears though, never had any issues with the fit of AirPods, AirPods (Gen 3), AirPods Pro, Powerbeats Pro, or the Beats Studio Buds.
 
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Gengar said:
They fit nicely in my ears with the default tips. I do have pretty normal shaped ears though, never had any issues with the fit of AirPods, AirPods (Gen 3), AirPods Pro, Powerbeats Pro, or the Beats Studio Buds.
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Hmm okay that's good to know. I'm definitely still intrigued by these but now with the AirPods announced today, I may look into those as well since they have a lot of the same features of the AP with what seems like maybe a better fit by doing away with the ear tips.

Thanks for sharing your experience! There's not a lot of chatter out there that I've been able to find from verified real people on these specifically, so I appreciate it.
 
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