Powerbeats Pro 2: Apple plans unveiling on February 11

Apple will officially announce the Powerbeats Pro 2 on February 11, 2025. The wireless in-ear headphones are a further development of the popular Powerbeats Pro from 2019 and are aimed specifically at athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Numerous improvements have already been confirmed, including a revised design, improved noise cancellation, heart rate measurement and a longer battery life. In addition, new color variants are planned and the charging case will be switched to USB-C. Here are all the known details about the new Powerbeats Pro 2.

The first generation of the Powerbeats Pro was particularly known for its stable fit thanks to the adjustable ear hooks. They were considered a sportier alternative to the AirPods Pro because they were designed for more intensive workouts. Despite their success, there were some weaknesses, such as the bulky charging case and the lack of modern features such as active noise cancellation. With the second generation, Apple wants to improve these points and introduce new functions that are particularly interesting for fitness users.

release date and price

According to renowned journalist Mark Gurman of Bloomberg Apple will officially unveil the Powerbeats Pro 2 on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. The retail price in the US is $250. A price of around 250 euros is expected for Europe.

Revised design

Apple has slightly changed the design of the new Powerbeats Pro 2. Compared to the first generation, the earphones are slimmer and more vertically aligned. This was already seen in a teaser video in which baseball star Shohei Ohtani is wearing the headphones. The revised ear hooks are intended to ensure an even better fit, especially during intensive training sessions.

Better noise cancellation thanks to the H2 chip

A major upgrade is the new H2 chip, which is also used in the AirPods Pro 2. This significantly improves active noise cancellation (ANC). The transparency mode, which allows ambient noise to pass through, has also been optimized. Compared to the original Powerbeats Pro, which had no ANC function at all, this is a big improvement.

heart rate measurement and fitness integration

A completely new feature of the Powerbeats Pro 2 is the integrated heart rate measurement. According to code found in iOS 18, the headphones will be able to monitor heart rate during training. They can also be paired with fitness equipment such as treadmills to record the values directly. The collected data is stored in the Health app and other compatible fitness apps on the iPhone. This is an exciting innovation for athletes who want to analyze their performance precisely. It could even be an alternative to conventional chest straps or smartwatches if the measurement is precise enough.

New color options

Apple is launching the Powerbeats Pro 2 in several new colors. One of the most striking variants is Electric Orange, a bright color that has already been discovered in code analysis. In addition to classic colors such as black and white, there are likely to be other sporty shades as well.

Improved sound quality and battery life

The first generation of Powerbeats Pro already had a powerful sound with strong bass, but Apple will further optimize the audio quality in the second generation. The H2 chip could make the sound even clearer and more balanced. The battery life is also said to have been improved. The original Powerbeats Pro lasted up to 9 hours per charge, and even over 24 hours with the charging case. It is possible that Apple will get even more battery life out of these, which would be particularly beneficial for long training sessions.

USB-C port and better Android compatibility

As is already the case with the latest Apple devices, the Powerbeats Pro 2 will be equipped with a USB-C charging port. This means that the previous Lightning cable is no longer needed. In addition, compatibility with Android devices is said to have been improved. In addition to an optimized Bluetooth connection, Android users could benefit from new functions such as "Find My Device". This makes it easier to locate the headphones if they are lost - a function that was previously only fully integrated in the Apple ecosystem.

Powerbeats Pro 2: Is it worth buying?

The Powerbeats Pro 2 are a major upgrade over the first generation. With better noise cancellation, heart rate monitoring, optimized design, longer battery life and USB-C, Apple offers an all-round improved product for sports and music lovers. Fitness fans in particular who value a stable fit and extended training functions should benefit from the new features. The price remains in the premium segment at around 250 euros, but the investment could be worthwhile for the technology and range of functions offered. Anyone looking for high-quality sports headphones should keep an eye on the announcement on February 11, 2025. (Image: Apple)