Apple Launches Powerbeats Pro 2 with Heart Rate Monitoring, H2 Chip, and ANC

On Tuesday, Apple's Beats brand launched the all-new Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds, which not only introduce Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology but also for the first time include heart rate monitoring, providing users with a more comprehensive health and audio experience.

The new Powerbeats Pro 2 combines some of the innovative features from AirPods, such as the addition of Transparency mode, allowing users to hear ambient sounds more clearly.

 

The built-in H2 chip significantly improves sound quality, making the music richer and more detailed. Meanwhile, the earbuds also support an improved version of Spatial Audio, delivering an immersive 3D sound experience that enhances auditory engagement.

In terms of design, the Powerbeats Pro 2 is more compact, with a 20% reduction in weight, making them more comfortable to wear without feeling bulky. Beats has also optimized the acoustic structure, ensuring that the earbuds not only deliver better sound quality but also fit more securely and form a better seal, improving the effectiveness of the Active Noise Cancellation.

 

Additionally, the Powerbeats Pro 2 retains physical buttons, with a volume control on each earbud and a "b" logo button for music playback, calls, and other operations, making it easy to use. It's also worth noting that the Powerbeats Pro 2 comes with IPX4-rated water resistance, so users don't need to worry about sweat or rain during workouts.

As for the charging case, it has been reduced by 33% in size compared to the previous generation, making it more compact and portable. While the charging case still needs to accommodate the ear hook design, it is still slightly larger than most other earbud cases on the market. However, it supports wireless charging and has a USB-C port on the back for fast wired charging.

The charging case also integrates a pairing button, allowing users to manually pair the earbuds whenever needed.

The heart rate monitoring feature of the Powerbeats Pro 2 is Apple's first foray into this technology for their earbuds, signaling the company's further expansion into health tech. This feature is based on the heart rate monitoring technology used in the Apple Watch, with sensors built into the earbuds that allow for real-time monitoring of the user's heart rate.

 

Moreover, the earbuds are compatible with several popular fitness apps, including Peloton, Nike Run Club, Ladder, and Slopes, and heart rate data can be synced to the Apple Health app for easy tracking of health metrics. The Powerbeats Pro 2 is also compatible with Android devices, ensuring broader compatibility.

This release comes at a time when Apple's wearables division has seen a slowdown in performance over the holiday season. According to financial reports, Apple's wearables and accessories division (including home products) saw a 2% decline in sales in the December quarter, dropping to approximately $11.8 billion, falling short of analyst expectations of $12 billion.

This makes the release of the Powerbeats Pro 2 particularly significant as a key push in this category.

The new Powerbeats Pro 2 is priced at $250, the same as the previous generation, and is available in black, orange, purple, and a new color option called "Quick Sand".

The price is on par with the AirPods Pro 2, but due to its ear-hook design, Powerbeats is especially popular among athletes. The ear hook ensures a more secure fit, making it ideal for high-intensity activities like sports and running, preventing the earbuds from slipping or feeling unstable.

Oliver Schusser, Apple's Vice President responsible for Beats, said the new Powerbeats Pro 2 is "the most impressive product in Beats' history." He also reflected on Apple’s acquisition of Beats and its music streaming service, Beats Music, for $3 billion in 2014, which remains Apple's largest acquisition to date.

 

In terms of battery life, the Powerbeats Pro 2 performs excellently, providing 10 hours of use on a single charge, and up to 45 hours when paired with the charging case. In contrast, AirPods offer only 6 hours of battery life on a single charge, with a maximum of 30 hours when using the charging case. However, AirPods have other unique advantages, such as the newly launched hearing aid feature, making them more suited for everyday commuting and environments with a lot of noise.

In addition to the new Beats headphones, Apple is expected to announce a new version of the iPhone SE this week, further expanding its lineup of wearables and smartphones.