The wait is over. The sequel to the popular Powerbeats Pro is finally here. The Powerbeats Pro 2 arrives a little over five years after the initial release. Fitness enthusiasts and those seeking a secure, high-power audio experience should take note. These new earbuds promise a significant step forward.
An All-New Comfort-Focused, Pocketable Design
Several notable differences are immediately apparent. The classic hook design remains, crucial for keeping earbuds secure during intense workouts. However, these hooks now utilize a new, bendable nickel-titanium alloy. This, combined with a complete design refresh, makes Powerbeats Pro 2 approximately 20% lighter.
Beats claims these are their most comfortable earbuds yet. This is a significant promise.
The case has also been refreshed. It is now smaller by 33%, enhancing pocketability. Wireless charging has been added. Following Apple's lead with new AirPods, the Lightning port is gone, replaced by USB-C. Note that a cable is not included.
Full of Fresh Features to Boost Performance
Beyond design improvements, Powerbeats Pro 2 is packed with new features:
- Heart Rate Monitoring: This is a key feature. Monitor heart rate directly from the earbuds during workouts. iOS users benefit from easy setup in settings. Android users can access it in the Beats application.
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency Mode: Immerse yourself in music or stay aware of your surroundings with these essential modes, powered by the Apple H2 chip.
- Adaptive EQ: Smart audio automatically adjusts in real-time based on earbud fit to optimize audio.
- Spatial Audio with Dynamic Head Tracking: Experience immersive listening for video content.
- Ultra-Low Latency Lossless Audio: Exclusive to Vision Pro owners, offering premium audio fidelity.
Apple H2 Chip at the Core
These capabilities are largely due to the inclusion of the Apple H2 chip, the same chip used in AirPods Pro 2. This chip provides improved connectivity, processing power, and battery efficiency for Powerbeats Pro 2.
Battery Life and Other Features
Battery life is improved. Expect up to 10 hours of listening time without ANC (up to 8 hours with ANC) and up to 45 hours with the charging case (up to 36 hours with ANC). The IPX4 rating for sweat and water resistance is maintained for the earbuds themselves.
For calls and voice control, each earbud includes a voice accelerometer and three microphones for enhanced audio. Physical controls offer convenient management of play, volume, listening modes, and voice assistant.
Price and Where to Buy
Despite the innovations, Powerbeats Pro 2 retains the $249.99 price. They are available today in Jet Black, Quick Sand, Hyper Purple, and Electric Orange at online retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, and the online Beats store.
Final Word
The Powerbeats Pro 2 represent a strong improvement. They add much-desired refinements to a respected line of sports headphones. With a focus on comfort, new features like heart rate monitoring and ANC, and the processing power of the Apple H2 chip, these headphones are a compelling choice for sports enthusiasts and commuters alike.
source: Beats by Dre