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I've had Beats products in the recent past, and while the sound quality is overall better than AirPods, the build quality and choice of material is rather disappointing.

Not that it's bad, the design itself is unique, soft and comfy for prolonged use. But their design choice is questionable. The silicone starts peeling off after 1-2 years of regular workout use, and that renders it useless. I've had Powerbeats 4 and Beats Fit Pro all shared the same problem, silicone bits disintegrates which was part of the chassis so when it breaks or cracks, I can no longer use it properly.

Now AirPods Pro may not be the best workout earbuds but has been a solid experience so far. Full hard plastic with removable silicone tips that you can replace anytime you want, that's great for longevity.
 
So basically 100 – 200 more expensive? Pass. Bring back the non-pro powerbeats!
 


A few months ago, Apple shared a short teaser video in which it revealed that it will be releasing new Powerbeats Pro 2 next year. The video showed MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani wearing the upcoming version of the earbuds, which appear to have some slight design changes compared to the original Powerbeats Pro from 2019.


Powerbeats-Pro-2-Teaser-Feature.jpg


MLB player Shohei Ohtani wearing the Powerbeats Pro 2

As a refresher, Powerbeats Pro are a sportier, fitness-focused alternative to AirPods Pro with built-in, adjustable ear hooks for a secure fit.

Below, we recap what to expect from the Powerbeats Pro 2 based on known info and leaks:

  • A more vertical, slimmer design compared to the original Powerbeats Pro
  • Heart rate monitoring during workouts
  • Active Noise Cancellation for the first time
  • Spatial Audio and Adaptive Audio support
  • Orange, purple, black, and beige color options
Based on iOS 18 code findings, we previously reported that you will be able to connect the Powerbeats Pro 2 to gym equipment like a treadmill to measure heart rate, and the data would be visible in the Health app on the iPhone. This capability might be limited to workouts. Heart rate monitoring has also been rumored for the AirPods Pro in the past, so perhaps the feature will extend to the AirPods Pro 3 rumored to launch next year.

Based on other recent Beats headphones, other potential upgrades for the Powerbeats Pro 2 include improved sound quality, longer battery life, and improved cross-platform compatibility with Android features like Find My Device. Plus, the Powerbeats Pro 2 charging case will almost certainly have a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port.

Apple did not reveal a specific release date in 2025 for the Powerbeats Pro 2. It discontinued the original Powerbeats Pro last month.

Article Link: What to Expect From Apple's Powerbeats Pro 2 Next Year
the originals, looked better
 
Marathon season is all year round.
Not in Texas. Or at least not for me. Running a marathon in 100 degrees with 75% humidity is probably not a good idea. At the Houston, which is run in January, if the starting temperature gets above 50 degrees medical teams are on high alert for heat stroke.
 
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