Report: Beats not updating Studio Wireless headphones this year due to lack of battery improvements

Alongside the iPhone 7 earlier this month, Apple introduced a new lineup of Beats products, including the Solo3, Powerbeats 3, Beats X, and Beats Ep. Noticeably missing from the refresh, though, were the Beats Studio Wireless. Coming in near the top of the Beats lineup, the Studio Wireless offer an over-ear design and improved noise-canceling compared to the company’s other offerings.

If you were holding out for a refresh of the Beats Studio Wireless, perhaps for the holiday season, you’re going to be waiting for a while, according to a new report from CNET.

The report claims that Beats does not plan on releasing a new version of its Studio Wireless headphones “anytime soon,” with a 2016 launch definitely out of the question. According to the report, however, Beats has good reason to hold back an update to the Studio Wireless.

Apparently, Beats is not in a position where it can improve the battery life of the Studio Wireless enough to distinguish a new generation from the current model. On the other hand, the rest of the Beats lineup sees a noticeable bump in battery with the recent refresh thanks to Apple’s new low-energy W1 Bluetooth chip. The new Solo3 Wireless, for instance, offer battery life that is three times improved compared to the previous generation model.

It’s somewhat surprising to see the high-end Studio Wireless headphones get the cold shoulder this year. Wireless headphones will almost certainly be a popular gift this holiday season to accompany the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. While more affordable options like the Beats X Beats Ep, and Apple’s own EarPods will be the go-to for many, the over-ear design and noise cancelling technology of the Beats Studio make them popular, as well.

The Beats Studio Wireless have been dropping in price over the past year, available now from Amazon for $299 and lower from other retailers. While the Studio Wireless are certainly a solid offering, other options like the Bose QuietComfort 35 offer longer battery life and are likely a more future-proof choice.

You can read the 9to5Mac team’s personal choices for wireless headphones here. Let us know your choice in the comments.