JBL Flip 7 vs Flip 6: What's The Difference?

Considering the JBL Flip 7? Here’s what’s new!

FAQS & Tutorials - Updated 28th March 2025

JBL Flip 7 vs Flip 6: What's The Difference?

Written By

Lui Gazzard

JBL’s Fan Favourite Just Got Even Better

JBL’s Flip series has long been a go-to for portable Bluetooth speaker fans — and for good reason. Rugged, reliable, and seriously punchy for their size, models like the JBL Flip 5 and JBL Flip 6 have earned cult status among music lovers and outdoor adventurers alike.

Now, JBL has launched the JBL Flip 7, and while it may look very familiar, this latest generation packs some serious upgrades that make it one of the top Bluetooth speakers in its class. In this guide, we’ll break down what’s new, what’s improved, and whether the Flip 7 is worth the upgrade over the still-excellent Flip 6.

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JBL Flip 7 vs Flip 6: Key Specs At A Glance

	JBL Flip 6	JBL Flip 7
Price	RRP £129.99 (see latest offers)	RRP £129.99 (coming soon)
Dimensions	178 x 68 x 72 mm	178 x 68 x 72 mm
Weight	550g	550g
Transducers	45 x 80 mm woofer / 16mm tweeter	45 x 80 mm woofer / 16mm tweeter
Frequency Response	60 Hz - 20 kHz	60 Hz - 20 kHz
IP Rating	IP67	IP68
Battery Life	Up to 12 hours	Up to 16 hours (with Playtime Boost)
Bluetooth Version	5.1	5.4
Multi-Speaker Mode	PartyBoost	Auracast

JBL Flip 7 sound performance: AI-Powered Audio with Bigger, Bolder Sound

The Flip 6 already delivers performance that rivals the best Bluetooth speakers at this price point, though the Flip 7 is promising a step up. Both are mono speakers with a single tweeter, single woofer, and dual passive radiators. While you won’t get true stereo separation, the soundstage is still impressive for their size.

Flip 7 upgrades:

Increased power output (35W vs 30w)
Redesigned tweeter dome for clearer highs
NEW AI Sound Boost: JBL’s new AI-powered tech analyses the audio in real time to optimise the sound performance. That means deeper bass, louder output and less distortion at higher volumes.

From our testing, there isn’t a major step up in sound performance - but that wasn’t necessary. The Flip 6 is a very capable portable speaker. Both speakers are energetic, dynamic and fun to listen to. They’re impressively loud, easily filling a room and performing well outdoors. The Flip 7 does offer slightly better mid range clarity and is a bit more stable at higher volumes, though we still feel the bass could be a touch punchier.

JBL have now added a 7-band customisable EQ in the JBL Portable App for the Flip 7 - up from the 3 band on the Flip 6. So while there’s no dramatic leap in sound quality, you can personalise the audio more to your taste.

JBL Flip 7 Battery Life & Charging: Longer Listening

Battery life sees a welcome bump on the Flip 7, now offering up to 16 hours - 14 hours as standard and 2 additional hours if you enable JBL’s new Playtime Boost Mode. It’s worth noting that Playtime Boost extends the battery life by dropping the bass response to conserve energy. Great if you’re in a pinch, but doesn’t offer the best audio experience.

Both the Flip 6 and Flip 7 have a recharge time of 2.5 hours, and there’s still no Quick Charge feature. Surprisingly, JBL have not included a plug OR a USB-C cable in the box - so you’ll need to use your own.

Features: The Flip 7 Gets Future-Ready

Goodbye PartyBoost, Hello Auracast. This might sting for existing Flip 6 users: Flip 7 drops PartyBoost, which means it won’t pair with older JBL speakers. Instead, JBL have jumped on the Auracast train, offering a more flexible way to connect multiple speakers.

You can now pair multiple Auracast-enabled speakers like the recently released JBL Clip 5, Go 4 and Charge 6. You can also pair two Flip 7s via Auracast for a wider soundstage.

JBL also steps up from Bluetooth 5.1 on the Flip 6 to 5.4 on the Flip 7, bringing it up to date with the latest specs. Plus, this new generation now supports lossless audio over USB-C. For those with a compatible lossless audio source, you can plug in and get a premium wired audio experience.

Design & Durability: Same Solid Design, But Better

The Flip 7 doesn’t stray far from its predecessor in design - and that’s a good thing. The Flip 6’s slim, rugged cylindrical build with bold JBL branding stays mostly unchanged.

However there are a few smart adjustments worth noting. A new PushLock system replaces the simple loop on the Flip 6. The Flip 7 comes with two different accessories that you can interchange, simply clip in the included wrist strap or carabiner with a single push. The new model is also available in six refreshed colourways: bold, bright and unmistakably JBL.

In terms of durability, there are a few changes here too. Considering the Flip 6 was already one of the most durable portable speakers in this category, any improvement here is good to see.

There’s been a slight redesign of the rubber feet offering more protection for the passive radiators on either side. JBL have said the Flip 7 is now certifiably drop proof from 1 meter even on a concrete floor.

They have also improved the IP rating from IP67 on the Flip 6 to IP68 on the Flip 7, meaning the new generation can now be submerged up to 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes.

Verdict: Should You Upgrade To The JBL Flip 7?

The JBL Flip 7 is not a revolution - but it doesn’t need to be. The Flip 6 was already a very solid product, and this new evolution builds on those strengths further.

Already own the Flip 6? While the Flip 7 offers a number of improvements, there isn’t a major jump up in overall performance so you might be happy sticking with what you’ve got. The Flip 6 is still a fantastic speaker, and the sound differences aren’t night and day. That said, if you want the latest tech, better sound personalisation and a future-proofed speaker, the Flip 7 is a great purchase.

Coming in fresh? You’re in a great position. You could grab the Flip 6 at a discount as it reaches end-of-life - a brilliant deal with those happy with the package. But if you’re after the latest, the Flip 7 gives you all the added perks without increasing the RRP from the Flip 6’s £129.99 launch price.

In short: the JBL Flip 7 is the better package, just not a must-have upgrade for every Flip 6 owner.

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