Beats Solo 4 Review: 50-Hour Battery and Lossless USB-C Audio

The Beats Solo 4 are lightweight wireless on-ear headphones featuring up to 50 hours of battery life, Personalized Spatial Audio, USB-C lossless audio, Bluetooth 5.3, and strong Apple and Android compatibility.

They are designed for everyday music, commuting, workouts and users who prefer a compact on-ear design instead of larger over-ear headphones.

Beats Solo 4 Specs

Beats also includes a carrying case, USB-C cable and 3.5mm audio cable.

Sound Quality

The Solo 4 use redesigned 40mm drivers with updated acoustics.

Their sound is more balanced than the bass-heavy tuning associated with older Beats headphones. Independent testing found relatively neutral bass and mids with slightly brighter treble.

They work well for:

• Pop
• Hip-hop
• Electronic music
• Podcasts
• Movies
• Everyday listening

USB-C Lossless Audio

One of the Solo 4’s strongest features is lossless wired audio.

The headphones have a built-in DAC and support lossless playback through:

• USB-C
• 3.5mm audio cable

The 3.5mm connection can also work without battery power, so you can continue listening even when the headphones are discharged.

Personalized Spatial Audio

Solo 4 support Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking on compatible Apple devices.

Built-in motion sensors adjust the soundstage as you move your head, creating a more immersive experience for supported movies, games and music.

An iPhone with a TrueDepth camera is required to create a personalized Spatial Audio profile.

No Active Noise Cancellation

A major limitation is the lack of Active Noise Cancellation.

The Solo 4 rely entirely on their on-ear cushions for passive noise isolation. Independent testing found that they struggle to block low-frequency sounds such as airplane, train and bus noise.

If ANC is important, the Beats Studio Pro are a better option.

Battery Life

Battery life is excellent.

Beats rates the Solo 4 for up to 50 hours of listening on one charge.

Fast Fuel charging provides:

10 minutes of charging = up to 5 hours of playback.

That makes the Solo 4 especially convenient for travel and everyday use.

Apple & Android Compatibility

Unlike some ecosystem-focused headphones, Solo 4 work well with both Apple and Android devices.

Supported features include:

• One-touch pairing
• Apple Find My
• Google Find My Device
• Automatic pre-pairing
• Android Fast Pair-style integration

This cross-platform support is one of their biggest advantages.

Comfort & Portability

The Solo 4 weigh only 217g, making them considerably lighter than most premium over-ear headphones.

They feature:

• UltraPlush ear cushions
• Flex-grip headband
• Adjustable earcups
• Foldable design
• Carrying case

Because they sit directly on the ears, however, some users may prefer the comfort of full-size over-ear headphones for very long listening sessions.

Call Quality

Beats uses multiple digital beamforming microphones with voice-targeting processing for calls.

However, independent testing found microphone performance fairly weak in noisy environments, where voices can sound muffled or distant.

Connectivity

Solo 4 support:

• Bluetooth 5.3
• Class 1 Bluetooth
• USB-C audio
• 3.5mm analog audio

One limitation is the lack of true Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, so users who constantly switch between a laptop and phone may find competing models more convenient.

Pros

✓ Excellent 50-hour battery life
✓ USB-C lossless audio
✓ 3.5mm wired listening
✓ Personalized Spatial Audio
✓ Lightweight 217g design
✓ Bluetooth 5.3
✓ Strong Apple compatibility
✓ Strong Android compatibility
✓ Foldable design
✓ Balanced sound

Cons

✗ No Active Noise Cancellation
✗ Weak passive isolation against travel noise
✗ No Bluetooth multipoint
✗ No official water-resistance rating
✗ Call microphone is only average
✗ On-ear design may become uncomfortable for some users

Beats Solo 4 Rating

Sound Quality: 8.9/10
Comfort: 8.7/10
Battery: 9.8/10
Call Quality: 8.0/10
Features: 8.9/10
Portability: 9.5/10
Value: 9.0/10

Overall: 9.0/10

Verdict

The Beats Solo 4 are excellent lightweight headphones for users who prioritize battery life, portability and Apple/Android compatibility.

Their 50-hour battery, USB-C lossless audio, Personalized Spatial Audio and lightweight foldable design are major advantages.

The biggest weakness is the complete lack of Active Noise Cancellation, which makes them less suitable for frequent flights or noisy public transportation.

For everyday music, commuting and casual use, however, the Solo 4 offer a strong combination of features and portability.