1. The JBL Flip Essential 3 SE is a budget-friendly, portable speaker with a dual speaker design and IP67 water and dust resistance.
2. It supports Bluetooth 5.4, Auracast, and stereo pairing, with up to 12 hours of battery life and a 3-hour charging time.
3. Lacks some features of the main Flip series, such as voice assistant integration and JBL Portable app compatibility.
4. Available now in China for approximately $132, with no international release announced.
JBL Introduces New Flip Essential 3 SE Portable Speaker in China
JBL has recently unveiled a new addition to its budget-friendly lineup, the Flip Essential 3 SE. Unlike the premium flip series, this model is more affordable and now available in China. It comes three years after the previous Flip Essential 2, showing JBL’s continuous efforts to keep their portable speakers current.
Design and Build
The Flip Essential 3 SE is a cylindrical speaker with a clean, modern look. It sports a signature JBL fabric finish, available in a stylish gray color, and measures 180 by 69.5 by 72 millimeters, weighing only 550 grams. Its rugged IP67 rating ensure it defends against dust and water, making it perfect for outdoor adventures like beach days or poolside lounging.
Sound Quality and Connectivity
This speaker packs a punch with a dual speaker setup, featuring a 10W tweeter and a 20W woofer, delivering a dynamic frequency response from 63Hz all the way up to 20kHz. It supports Bluetooth 5.4, and also offers support for Auracast wireless streaming. You can even connect two of these speakers to enjoy a true stereo soundstage, a feature that adds flexibility for music lovers.
Battery Life & Additional Features
Inside, there’s a 4,800mAh battery that promises up to 12 hours of playback on a full charge. JBL states that a complete recharge takes about 3 hours using a 15W charger. However, unlike its higher-end siblings, this model does not include voice assistant support or compatibility with JBL’s portable app, making it more straightforward and easy to use.
Pricing and Availability
The JBL Flip Essential 3 SE is presently on sale in China via JD.com, priced at CNY 899, which is roughly equivalent to $132 or €112. Compared to other JBL portable speakers, this is quite an affordable choice, although it’s significantly more expensive than the JBL Go 5, recently announced. As for international availability, JBL hasn’t yet announced plans to bring this model outside China.