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Beats Flex vs Samsung Level U Pro: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Beats Flex comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 67. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Beats Flex - Good overall at around $70.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Beats Flex leads on 4 of 7 measures.

  • Beats Flex
  • Samsung Level U Pro
HearWiki score
67
54
Sound
6.3
6.7
Noise cancelling
-
3.8
Battery
6.4
4.7
Calls
5.7
4.0
Value
6.7
-
Price (USD)
$70
$46

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

New platform

Beats Flex (2020) against Samsung Level U Pro (2016). The Samsung Level U Pro is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 4.1 against 1.0, Top codec aptX Adaptive against AAC and ANC type Adaptive against None. The Beats Flex answers on convenience features: it adds USB-C and Wear detection.

  • Flex20204 yr newer
  • Level U Pro2016
What differsFlexLevel U Pro

Platform

Bluetooth
1.0
4.1
Top codec
AAC
aptX Adaptive
ANC type
None
Adaptive

Everyday features

USB-C
Yes
No
Wear detection
Yes
No

Level on: Multipoint pairing.

Specifications

FlexLevel U Pro
Type
Neckband
Neckband
Price (USD)
$70
$46
HearWiki score
67
54
Released
2020
2016
Availability
Still sold new
Still sold new
Driver
2× 8.2 mm dynamic
hybrid
Driver type
dynamic
hybrid
Driver size
8.2 mm
13 mm
Drivers per side
2
-
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance
-
32 Ω
Sensitivity
-
90 dB/mW
Bluetooth
1.0
4.1
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Low Latency, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Wireless range
20 m
-
Battery life
12 h
9 h
Battery life (ANC on)
-
9 h
Full charge time
10 min
-
Wireless charging
No
No
Active noise cancelling
No
Yes
ANC type
-
adaptive
Transparency mode
-
No
Companion app
-
No
Custom EQ
-
No
Wear detection
Yes
No
Controls
buttons
buttons
Voice assistant
Yes
S Voice
Weight
18.6 g
45.7 g
Water resistance
none
none
USB-C
Yes
No
Microphones
1
2

What reviewers said

Beats Flex

The Beats Flex is a budget-friendly neckband earphone that prioritizes bass-heavy sound and seamless Apple device integration. While it offers solid battery life and lightweight comfort, its sound profile is not neutral, and it lacks water resistance and active noise cancellation. It's a strong pick for bass lovers on a tight budget, especially within the Apple ecosystem.

  • Pro:Bass-forward sound that suits pop and hip-hop
  • Pro:Lightweight neckband design reduces risk of loss
  • Pro:Seamless pairing with Apple devices
  • Con:Recessed treble can soften vocals
  • Con:No water resistance rating
  • Con:No active noise cancellation

Samsung Level U Pro

The Samsung Level U Pro is a neckband-style wireless headphone that balances solid everyday performance with adaptive noise cancellation and a hybrid driver setup. It offers a versatile codec selection, including aptX variants and Samsung's proprietary HD codec, plus multipoint connectivity for juggling devices. While its 9-hour battery life is adequate and audio quality impresses when worn correctly, the collar form factor and weaker noise isolation in loud settings may limit its appeal for some users.

  • Pro:Strong codec support including aptX HD and low latency
  • Pro:Adaptive noise cancellation helps reduce ambient noise
  • Pro:Comfortable neckband design with clear mids and treble
  • Con:Neckband design can cause usability issues during movement
  • Con:Isolation is less effective in very noisy environments
  • Con:No water resistance despite some claims

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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New comparisonBeats FlexSamsung Level U Pro