Beats Pill Pokémon: Pikachu and Mimikyu turn it into a collector’s item

Beats and The Pokémon Company have launched the Beats Pill – Pokémon Special Edition, a gray version of the portable speaker with Pikachu and Mimikyu on the grille. The collaboration went on sale on October 15, 2026 for US$149.99, the same list price as the regular variants in the United States, and is part of the celebration of Pokémon’s 30th anniversary.

The idea is not to debut a new speaker. Under the exclusive design is the Beats Pill introduced in 2024, with up to 24 hours of battery life, IP67 resistance, and USB-C audio. That makes the decision simpler: you are paying for the collector’s edition, not for better performance.

The official Beats campaign contrasts Pikachu’s electric energy with Mimikyu’s darker aesthetic. The collaboration also arrives in the year of Pokémon’s 30th anniversary, a context that explains why the product targets both fans and those looking for a speaker.

A design that uses the entire grille

Pikachu takes up the right side of the front, while Mimikyu occupies the left. The gray body works as a neutral backdrop, but the most polished detail appears around Pikachu: small chrome lightning bolts protrude from the grille and change the speaker’s texture. In its first hands-on with the product, 9to5Mac also highlights the glossy finish of those elements.

The gray lanyard adds a reversible charm: one side shows a Poké Ball and the other, the Beats logo. The package is rounded out with stickers and an interactive box available in two designs, one for each character. They are not functional extras, but they do make this special edition feel more carefully crafted than a simple color change.

Does the Beats Pill Pokémon change the sound?

No. The Pokémon edition keeps the same hardware as the regular Beats Pill: a single speaker plays in mono and there is no equalizer, although you can pair a second unit in Amplify or Stereo mode. The appeal is in the design and accessories, not in an acoustic upgrade.

The spec sheet keeps Bluetooth 5.3 Class 1, iOS and Android compatibility, one-touch pairing, and location tracking through Apple’s Find My or Google’s Find My Device networks. The USB-C port supports high-resolution lossless audio and also lets you use the speaker’s battery to charge a compatible phone.

Beats claims up to 24 hours of battery life. With Fast Fuel, a 10-minute charge provides up to two hours of playback. The IP67 rating adds protection against dust and temporary immersion in water, while the 680-gram weight remains reasonable for moving it between rooms or carrying it in a backpack.

The limitations are also the same. SoundGuys measured the standard Beats Pill and noted recessed mids, compression at high volume, and the lack of an equalizer. That does not invalidate its portable profile, but it is worth keeping in mind if the themed design is not the priority.

Price and availability

The Apple Store sets the price at US$149.99. Beats confirmed sales in the United States through Apple and Target, in the United Kingdom through Apple and Argos, and in China through Apple and Douyin. Those are the officially announced markets.

The list price matches the regular Pill, but the real-world comparison may favor the standard model when it appears on sale. Anyone only looking for performance should consider that difference before paying for the Pokémon aesthetic.

Who it makes sense for

The Beats Pill Pokémon is best suited to two types of buyers: fans who value the collectible object and users who already wanted a Pill for its battery life, durability, and size. For them, the same official price makes the grille relief, the lanyard, and the special packaging more appealing.

If the priority is taking music outdoors and the Pikachu and Mimikyu design matters in the purchase, this edition delivers exactly what it promises: a familiar Pill, but with a personality of its own.

Author

Alexis Paez