Apple has announced the anticipated launch of the Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds, marking the newest addition to its lineup. These earbuds have been highly anticipated for nearly six years since their predecessors first hit the market in 2019. The Powerbeats Pro 2 build on the familiar ear hook design while delivering significant upgrades in sound quality, battery life, and overall performance.

The new earbuds are particularly notable for their incorporation of built-in heart rate monitoring, which is triggered during workouts and provides real-time data via optical sensors. This feature is another major step forward in Apple’s efforts to expand its healthcare offerings, reaching out they have been building upon with the release of the Apple Watch.

In addition to its health benefits, the new earbuds offer 10 hours of battery life, compared to the previous model’s 9 hours. More impressive is the battery life of the case, which can reach up to 45 hours. This represents a significant improvement when combined with the reduction of the original Powerbeats Pro’s case size, while maintaining an ergonomic design.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 have been standardized with the H2 chip, which has previously been exclusive to the AirPods Pro. The technology upgrade improves sound quality with enhanced noise-canceling, Spatial Audio capabilities that accommodate head movements, and an adaptive EQ system that adjusts audio to suit the listener’s ear.

The long-awaited earbuds are designed for both athletic and everyday use, building upon the product line Apple has introduced such as the Apple Watch. The Powerbeats Pro 2 retain their nickel alloy ear hooks and offer a weight reduction of 20%, contributing to their sleeker and more comfortable design.

The new earbuds have been optimized for faster charging, offering up to 10 hours of sound-delivery time thanks to wireless capabilities, and the case offers some incredibly long battery life – up to 45 hours. The new release makes better use of space within the classic Powerbeats design.

These sleek earbuds come equipped with USB-C charging, with compatibility with various popular running apps including Open, Peloton, Runna, and more, but missing is Strava. Apple presents them as part of its bigger health range, from fitness to general health monitoring.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 are available for purchase starting today, priced at $250 on the internet, with a wider reach to physical retailers by this coming Thursday, 13th of February.

Despite missing former sporting events, Apple remains committed to advertising, with celebrity endorsements featuring influential athletes, including LeBron James, Lionel Messi, and Shohei Ohtani.