Beats Just Gave the Pill a Pikachu Makeover Fans Will Want

Sarah Johnson · 2026-10-14

Beats has never been shy about a collaboration, but this one hits a little differently. The company has partnered with Pokémon to release a special-edition Beats Pill speaker, and yes, Pikachu is front and center. It launches October 15. Here's the thing, though. This isn't just a sticker slapped on a speaker. Beats actually put some thought into it, and that's what makes it worth a closer look. ### What the Pikachu Beats Pill Actually Looks Like The design lives on the speaker's grille, where Pikachu appears alongside a greyscale version of Mimikyu. The grey body also gets raised lightning bolt details, which gives the familiar Pill a playful new look without messing with the hardware underneath. And the packaging? Beats designed the box with Pikachu and Mimikyu's ears sticking out. That's a smart touch, because it turns the box into something you'd actually want to keep on a shelf instead of tossing in the recycling bin. ### The Lanyard Charms Are a First For the first time, Beats is throwing in lanyard charms with the Pill. The set includes three designs: - A Poké Ball - A lightning bolt - The familiar Beats "b" logo It's a small addition, but for collectors, it's the kind of detail that pushes a purchase from "maybe" to "yeah, I need that." ### Same Speaker, Same Specs Strip away the Pokémon theme and you've still got the Beats Pill that returned in 2024. That means up to 24 hours of battery life and IP67 dust and water resistance, so it can handle a day at the beach or a hike without breaking a sweat. The speaker works with both iPhone and Android devices, and the USB-C connection supports lossless audio playback when you pair it with a compatible device. Nothing about the internals changed here, which is honestly fine. If it isn't broken, right? ### Why This Collaboration Makes Sense Pikachu has been the face of Pokémon since the franchise launched back in 1996. Mimikyu came much later, but it's earned a fanbase of its own by disguising itself as Pikachu in the hope of making friends. Pairing the two together is a clever nod that longtime fans will pick up on right away. It's a fairly straightforward collaboration, but a smart one. Both brands carry serious cultural weight, and the crossover gives Pokémon fans a reason to care about a Bluetooth speaker they might otherwise scroll past. > "The best collaborations don't just slap a logo on a product. They give fans a reason to feel something about it." ### Price and Availability The special-edition Beats Pill will be available starting October 15, priced at $149. That's the same as the standard model, which is a nice surprise. You're paying for the design, not a premium. In the US, you'll find it through Apple Stores and Target. Buyers in the UK can grab it through Apple and Argos. If you've been eyeing a portable speaker and you happen to love Pokémon, this one's a pretty easy call. Same price, same performance, better looks. What's not to like?