Beats Powerbeats Pro exercise earbuds are getting a successor that boasts several improvements, including a heart-rate tracking feature, the audio brand announced today.
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The Powerbeats Pro 2 arrive six years after the debut of the Powerbeats Pro, which used Apple’s H1 chip for audio processing. The Powerbeats Pro 2 use Apple’s H2 chip, which also powers the AirPods Pro 2. Think of these buds as the AirPods Pro 2 of exercise earbuds.
The earbuds come in four colors, Black, Quick Sand, Hyper Purple, and Electric Orange, and retail for $250, the same price as the AirPods Pro 2.
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Beats is also extending its provision to cater to five ear-tip sizings, from extra small to extra large. The case for the Powerbeats Pro 2 is wireless-charging compatible and 33% smaller than its predecessor. With these earbuds, users will also get adaptive EQ, spatial audio, and noise-canceling and transparency modes.
Several companion apps can be used with the earbuds to record your heart rate, including Open, Peloton, Runna, Slopes, Ladder, Nike Run Club, and Yao Yao.
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Heart-rate monitoring will defer to the Apple Watch for users who wear the device while using the Powerbeats Pro 2 buds. In short, these buds are made more for people who want to exercise without their smartwatch.
Beats’ latest announcement gives us a glimpse at the future of wearables. It’s refreshing that the brand has new and functional ways to improve its audio products. Given how easy it is to find high-quality earbuds these days, brands recognize they must beef up their products with features other than great sound and long battery to stay competitive.
Last year, the FDA cleared Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 to function as hearing aids. Users can take an at-home hearing test using the earbuds to diagnose hearing loss. They can then take this diagnosis to their doctor.
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If the Powerbeats Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 2 have the same H2 chip, could this functionality eventually come to the Beats earbuds? We’ll have to wait and see.
The Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds are available to pre-order now and hit stores on Feb. 13.