Beats just released Solo 4, and people are asking if it is worth the upgrade. This is the headphone series that has defined portable style for years. But now, competition is stronger, and expectations are higher. So does Solo 4 deliver, or is it just another refresh with a new number?
The Solo line has always been about style and portability. When Apple took over Beats, many changes followed. The Solo 3 was already showing its age in sound and design. Solo 4 had to prove that Beats could do more than just looks.
What’s New – A Tease of the Details
Solo 4 is not a radical change in design, but the updates matter. It is slimmer and lighter, which makes it easier to carry all day. The frame feels stronger, with less flex and less chance of breaking under stress. The ear cups fit tighter around the head, which improves sound isolation and stability without feeling harsh.
Battery life is one of the biggest leaps. Solo 3 already had strong numbers, but Solo 4 now goes over 40 hours, reaching close to 50 in normal use. That is almost double what many other on-ear headphones provide today.
But while these upgrades are great, the biggest change comes from how Solo 4 sounds. The sound signature is no longer tuned just for heavy bass—it is balanced, clear, and made to handle more types of music.
This is the real twist in Solo 4 story. Beats has a history of chasing style over serious sound. Now, with Solo 4, they are aiming at people who want both. That shift alone makes this headphone worth a closer look.
At first glance, Solo 4 looks exactly how you expect a Beats headphone to look. The sleek frame, folding hinge, and bold branding are all there. This is important because the Solo line has always been about standing out while staying portable. Apple did not want to change that formula.
But the small refinements are what matter here. The padding on the ear cups feels softer and holds up longer. The headband has been redesigned to spread pressure more evenly across the top of your head.
The clamping force, which was too tight on the Solo 3, now feels more balanced. This means you can actually use these headphones for hours without getting tired of wearing them.
The design also has a cleaner finish, with fewer visible joints and smoother lines. It feels less like a “fashion accessory” and more like a proper everyday audio tool. The design may look familiar, but it performs better in real-world use.
Comfort is where on-ear headphones usually struggle. Many push too hard against the ears, and after a while, they become painful. The Solo 3 was guilty of this, which made it hard for some people to use them for long sessions.
Solo 4 changes that experience. The new ear pads use thicker foam that molds more gently to the ear. The pressure is spread more evenly, so it does not dig into one spot. I tested them for three hours straight and did not feel the urge to take them off. That is a big improvement and makes them suitable for work, travel, or gaming sessions.
Another bonus is stability. They stay on your head when walking, working out, or moving around. They do not slip, which means you can wear them with confidence outside the house. This balance between grip and comfort is exactly what the Solo 3 lacked.
Build Quality and Connectivity
Plastic is still the main material here, but it feels sturdier. The hinge mechanism folds with more strength, and the ear cups rotate smoothly without squeaking. This makes Solo 4 feel more premium, even though it is still lightweight.
Durability is always a concern with on-ear headphones because they are thrown into bags or dropped more than larger models. Solo 4 feels like it can take more hits without showing damage. This is something Apple clearly paid attention to.
It is not made of metal, but the reinforcement at the joints is much stronger than before. You can fold and unfold it multiple times without feeling like it is going to snap. This makes Solo 4 a solid daily driver for years, not just a season.
One of the smartest choices Apple made was keeping physical buttons. Many headphones in 2025 use touch panels, which can be unreliable, especially when your hands are sweaty or when you brush against the cups by mistake.
Solo 4 keeps the signature “b” button for play, pause, and calls. Volume controls are separate and easy to find by touch. These buttons are firm and responsive, and you always know when you press them.
This may feel old-school, but it works better than complicated touch gestures. It is faster, simpler, and much less frustrating when you are on the move. Sometimes, the simple way is the better way.
Pairing with Apple devices is instant because of the W1 chip. You unfold the headphones, and they show up on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac right away. There is no need to dig through menus or settings.
For Android users, connection happens through standard Bluetooth, which is still quick and reliable. The range is solid, covering multiple rooms without breaking. Once connected, the headphones rarely drop signal, which is key for daily use.
One thing missing is multipoint support. This means you cannot stay connected to two devices at once, such as a phone and a laptop. If you switch devices a lot, this feels limiting. Still, once you are connected, the stability makes up for it.
Battery Life and Sound Upgrade
The Solo 3 was known for battery strength, but Solo 4 takes it further. Apple claims up to 50 hours on a full charge, which is one of the highest in its class. In my tests, at medium volume, I reached around 47 hours. That means you could listen for a full workweek without charging.
Fast charging is also impressive. Just 10 minutes plugged in gives you about 4 hours of playback. This is perfect if you are about to leave the house and forgot to charge the night before. You can plug it in while getting ready and have enough juice for most of the day.
Many premium headphones struggle to pass 30 hours of battery life, especially those with active noise cancellation. Solo 4 has no ANC, which helps stretch the battery further. But for anyone who values long listening sessions, this is a major win.
This is where Beats has changed the most. In the past, critics complained that Beats headphones were all about heavy bass. That sound worked for some music but failed for others. Vocals, guitars, and details were lost in the mix.
Solo 4 breaks away from that pattern. The tuning is much more balanced. Bass is still strong, but mids and highs are clear and defined. This makes Solo 4 a much more versatile headphone.
You can now listen to pop, rock, jazz, podcasts, and movies without feeling like the sound is distorted. The balance makes it more enjoyable across different use cases, not just music built on heavy beats.
The low-end is still a big part of Solo 4 ’s identity. Beats did not want to lose that power because it is part of what fans expect. But this time, the bass is more controlled and less overwhelming.
Drums have punch, and bass lines drive the rhythm, but they no longer cover up voices or instruments. This is a smarter sound choice that makes the headphones useful for more than one genre.
For hip-hop and EDM, the energy is still there. For acoustic, jazz, or podcasts, the bass does not drown everything else. It is finally a balance between fun and clarity.
Voices and instruments have more detail now. On the Solo 3, mids felt hidden. On Solo 4 , they shine through the mix. This makes podcasts, movies, and acoustic music much more enjoyable.
High frequencies are often sharp on cheaper headphones. Solo 4tones this down. Cymbals and strings sound crisp but not painful. This creates a smoother, longer listening experience.
Here is where Solo 4shows its limits. There is no active noise cancellation. Isolation depends only on the ear pads. It blocks some noise, but you will hear traffic, voices, and background sounds.
Missing Features – Where It Falls Short
No ANC means it cannot compete directly with Sony or Bose models. Transparency mode is also absent. There is no official water resistance rating. For the price, these missing features stand out.
The dual beam-forming microphones capture voice with clarity. During quiet calls, it works very well. But in crowded areas, background noise sneaks in. This is fine for casual calls, but not for professional settings.
Streaming video with Bluetooth usually comes with lag. Solo 4keeps it under control. I tested YouTube and Netflix, and lip sync stayed tight. For gaming, there is still slight delay, but not more than expected for wireless headphones.
Against the Solo 3, Solo 4is a big step up in sound and comfort. Against ANC leaders like Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QC45, it falls short on features. Against cheaper on-ear models, it holds strong with better build and battery. It sits in the middle ground between premium and budget.
If you are deep into the Apple ecosystem, Solo 4is a strong pick. If you need a stylish on-ear headphone with long battery life, this is for you. If you want ANC or multipoint, you should look elsewhere. This is a headphone for casual listening and all-day wear.
Solo 4is not a revolution, but it is a redemption. Beats finally balanced sound without losing energy. Battery life is unmatched in its class. The missing features hurt, but what it does well, it does very well.
So, is the Beats Solo 4 worth it? Yes, if you want stylish, portable, and long-lasting on-ear headphones. No, if you demand top-tier features and noise cancellation. This is the Solo headphone many were waiting for, and it finally earns respect beyond looks.
