Apple has officially confirmed the launch of the much-anticipated PowerBeats Pro 2, marking a significant evolution in the Beats lineup. The new wireless earbuds are set to debut in February, and this time, they come with a built-in heart-rate monitoring sensor, making them the first Apple wireless earbuds to offer this feature.
Heart-Rate Monitoring Without an Apple Watch
The addition of heart-rate tracking means users can monitor their fitness and health data without needing an Apple Watch. However, Apple has confirmed that while the earbuds will track heart rate in real-time, users will still need an iPhone to access detailed metrics. This positions the PowerBeats Pro 2 as a compelling option for athletes, with promotional images already surfacing of professional athletes wearing the earbuds.
Enhanced Performance with H2 Chip
Apple has equipped the PowerBeats Pro 2 with its H2 chip, the same processor used in AirPods Pro 2. This upgrade is expected to bring better connectivity, improved battery life, and superior noise cancellation compared to its predecessor. Users can also look forward to new color variants, though Apple has yet to disclose the exact options.
Price and Release Date
According to Bloomberg, Apple will price the PowerBeats Pro 2 at $250, maintaining a competitive position in the premium earbuds market. The official release date is set for February 11th, with pre-orders expected to go live shortly before launch.
Expanding Apple’s Health-Focused Ecosystem
While PowerBeats Pro 2 introduces heart-rate tracking to Apple’s earbuds lineup, the company has already explored health-focused audio products. The AirPods Pro 2, launched last year, featured hearing health capabilities like hearing protection, hearing tests, and assistive listening functions. However, some of these features were limited to the U.S. and Canada due to regulatory approvals, as they classified the AirPods as medical devices.
Apple’s latest push into health and fitness technology reinforces its strategy of integrating biometric tracking across its ecosystem. Whether PowerBeats Pro 2 will include additional health-related features remains to be seen, but its heart-rate monitoring functionality is expected to be a major selling point.
