Apple subsidiary Beats discontinues Powerbeats Pro – but successor model coming
Beats is taking its popular sports earbuds off the market after more than five years. Details about the Powerbeats Pro 2 have already been leaked.
Powerbeats Pro: Already no longer with Apple and Beats.
(Image: Beats)
A change was actually long overdue: Apple and its subsidiary Beats withdrew the Powerbeats Pro Bluetooth earbuds from the range at the weekend. The devices designed for sports applications are no longer available either on Apple.com or on the official Beats website. Corresponding links lead to the respective homepage, and the hardware no longer appears in the search either. This marks the end of sales after almost exactly five and a half years. However, Apple is already preparing successors, as has also been leaked.
Designed for athletes who needed a good fit
The Powerbeats Pro were comparatively voluminous in-ear products that had ear hooks to keep them securely in place during sporting activities. They contained the H1 chip from the second-generation AirPods, an IPX4 rating for sweat and droplet resistance and different sized silicone ear tips. The Powerbeats Pro ran for nine hours at a stretch, including recharging, in their supplied case. However, modern features such as Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) – were missing, meaning that the surroundings were only masked via the mechanical earpiece.
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Beats itself has had direct competitors in its range since 2022 with the Beats Fit Pro, which are more compact, feature ANC and integrate a "Where is?" functionality. However, their fit without earbuds – was also somewhat less secure than that of the Powerbeats Pro, with the inner ear attachment – instead. The Fit Pro are still available from Beats and cost 250 euros from the manufacturer.
Successor leaked in beta
However, Apple will not be replacing the Powerbeats Pro. Back in September, Apple distributed a short X video featuring baseball star Shohei Ohtani wearing as yet unknown sports headphones. The iOS 18 code also contains hidden images of the new earbuds, which will be available in beige/champagne, black, purple and orange. Beats is also reportedly planning to monitor the heart rate directly on the ear for the first time; the data will be able to be transferred to the Health app on the iPhone.
It should also be possible to synchronize the earbuds with fitness devices that offer adjustment according to heart rate. ANC, Spatial Audio and Apple's Adaptive Audio are also reportedly planned. It is currently expected that the Powerbeats Pro 2 will not be released until next year, possibly in spring 2025.
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