Own cables: Beats sells new USB cables with textile sheathing

Apple subsidiary Beats is launching further smartphone accessories on the market. The cables presented are said to be particularly robust.

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TExtile-coated cables from Beats, plugs protrude upwards

(Image: Beats / Apple)

2 min. read

Headphones, Bluetooth speakers, iPhone cases: Apple's subsidiary Beats has slowly expanded its portfolio to include other accessory categories in recent years. Now Beats has introduced its own series of USB cables. After the cables appeared at individual retailers in advance, they are now going on sale.

The cables, simply called "Beats cables", are available in different versions from USB-C to USB-C, USB-C to USB-A or USB-C to Lightning. The cables are not only suitable for headphones, Android devices and newer iPhones, but also for older Apple devices.

The specifications are at least unexciting: all Beats cables are designed for transfer rates at slow USB 2.0 speeds (up to 480 MBit/s). There are differences in charging speed: the USB-C to USB-C variant charges devices via Power Delivery with up to 60 watts, USB-A to USB-C only with 15 watts. The USB-C to USB-C variant is also suitable for playing music with suitable speakers or headphones. Lossless audio playback, for example via Apple's AirPods Max with USB-C or the Beats Studio Pro, is also supported.

The USB-C version is also suitable for transferring music, for example to speakers such as the Beats Pill.

(Image: Beats)

The cables are available in either 0.2 or 1.2 meter lengths. Beats emphasizes their durability: instead of smooth plastic, the manufacturer relies on a braided sheathing. The reinforcement should be particularly robust and not fray. According to Beats, the products have undergone "thousands of hours of testing during the design and production process". Time will tell whether this proves its worth. All cables are available in different colors: Power Black, Energy Grey, Turbo Blue and Lightning Red.

There are four colors to choose from: lightning red, turbo blue, power black and energy grey.

(Image: Beats)

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A single cable with a length of 20 cm or 1.5 meters costs a hefty 24.95 euros. This puts them on a par with the slightly shorter Apple cables. USB 2.0 cables from third-party suppliers such as Anker are available for significantly less money, although not always with textile sheathing.

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Beats charges 38.95 euros for a twin pack. The cables in the double pack are always one and a half meters long, the Lightning version is currently not available in a double pack. The cables will be available in the Apple Store from April 17.

(hze)

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This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication.