Beats today launched the Powerbeats Pro 2 wireless earbuds in India. The second-generation model brings a sleeker design and adds a bunch of new quality-of-life upgrades such as active noise cancellation (ANC) and heart rate monitoring, a first for an Apple wearable device. Eventually, Cupertino is expected to incorporate it inside future AirPods but Beats—which is an Apple-owned company specialising in audio gear—is getting the first dibs at it. In India, the Powerbeats Pro 2, will be available at a price of Rs 29,900, starting February 13 on apple.com.
The Powerbeats Pro 2 have a “redesigned” earhook reinforced with a nickel titanium alloy which makes them about 20 percent lighter than the first-generation product (the charging case is also 33 percent smaller in this generation). Upgraded venting and the addition of a fifth ear tip size cater to enhancing comfort. They are IPX4 rated and come in a choice of Jet Black, Quick Sand, Hyper Purple, and Electric Orange.
The acoustic architecture has been redesigned as well and high-end features like ANC, Transparency mode and personalised spatial audio with dynamic head tracking have been added. Adaptive EQ uses computational audio to tune sound based on how the earbuds fit in the user’s ear, all in real time. Volume and music are control using on-ear buttons. The Powerbeats Pro 2 also use computational audio for voice isolation during phone calls. Each earbud has a voice accelerometre and three microphones.
Heart rate monitoring for workouts is a big USP feature with Beats putting dedicated LED optical sensors that pulse over 100 times per second to measure blood flow. They can then “relay” this information to supported apps like Runna, Nike Run Club, Open, Ladder, Slopes and YaoYao for further use and analysis.
The Powerbeats Pro 2 have Apple’s H2 chip and are rated for up to 45 hours of use with the charging case, with each bud delivering up to 10 hours of playback per charge. Fast charging is available and so is wireless charging. Unlike the AirPods, the Powerbeats Pro 2 can connect seamlessly with Android (and iPhone) through the dedicated Beats app allowing for firmware updates as well as granular control over customisation, location tracking and more.
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