Beats’ new Powerbeats Pro want to be Airpods for gymrats

There’s big movements going on at Apple’s audio wing. First, the Airpods were updated. And now? The Apple-owned Beats by Dre is getting its first pair of true wireless earbuds: the Powerbeats Pro.

The last Beats headphones released in this range were the Powerbeats3 back in 2016, but a lot has changed in the industry since then. Wireless earbuds are everywhere, so it’s no surprise the Powerbeats Pro have emulated this change. Basically, it means they have the now familiar two-detached earbuds and charging case design. You know, like this:

Just like the AirPods, they’ll also pause the music when removed from your ear.

In regards to size, Beats claims that the Powerbeats Pro are 23 percent smaller and 17 percent lighter than the Powerbeats3. If true, this is impressive, especially because the wireless earbuds are slated to last up to nine hours of use.

When the median time for a man to run a marathon is 4:22:07, this effectively means they’ll last you two races. The case itself can deliver another 15 hours of charge, so that’s a full day of exercise you can get out of the earbuds. Ideal for the charge-phobic gymrats amongst us.

So, onto looks. While the Powerbeats Pro pair retain the curved earhooks of the previous model, they’ve re-designed the earbuds’ shape to create a better fit and, in my mind, a far more modern aesthetic. Have a look:

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The Powerbeats3 are on the left and the Pro to the right. As you can see, there are subtle changes in shape in attempt to improve the fit.

The control you have over music has also improved with the Powerbeats Pro. On each earbud, there are volume and track controls, so you can tweak your listening experience easily, no matter whether you’re right- or left-handed.

Audio-wise, Beats say they’ve improved the sound. Specifically, the headphones deliver “powerful, balanced audio,” due to an “entirely redesigned acoustic package.” And what does this do? Well, it provides “pure sound reproduction, enhanced clarity, and improved dynamic range.” Wow!!!

Jargon aside, Apple and Beats were never going to say “nothing’s changed,” but I’d like to test the headphones out before passing judgement on any audio improvements.

Unfortunately, it uses a lightning connection to charge, rather than the lovely USB-C.

The Powerbeats Pro also use the same chip as Apple’s newest AirPods: the H1. It’s this that helps give the headphones a longer battery life and the ability to use “Hey Siri” voice commands. To my mind, the latter point isn’t that useful in a gym environment, but it’s a good feature to have.

The most interesting element of this announcement though is the proximity to the release of the new AirPods. On one hand, you could see the Powerbeats Pro as cannibalizing Apple’s own market share, but I bet the company is hoping that people buy both pairs of its wireless earbuds.

As much as I like them, I’ve found the AirPods to be pretty useless for the gym. I can see the attractiveness of wireless earbuds that have a similar feature set to AirPods, but are created specifically to be comfortable for exercise. And, knowing Apple’s market, I bet a lot of people get both. Hell, the company is probably hoping you’ll be walking into fancy gyms and seeing the Powerbeats Pro everywhere.

The Powerbeats Pro will retail for $249.95 and will be available in May.

But, if you’re on the hunt for some gym-ready headphones you want now, maybe have a look at:

SoundPEATS SporFi: I’ve owned an older pair of SoundPEATS’ budget sports headphones for years and, while they’re far from fancy, they get the job done. Perfect if you don’t want to spend a lot of money and are too scared of losing wireless earbuds
Jabra Elite Active 65t: If you’re on the lookout for a competitor in the same range as the Powerbeats Pro, then have a look at Jabra’s wireless earbuds. I’m a huge fan of these sports headphones, and have found suitable for most types of exercise.

Hope everyone feels the burn!

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Story by Callum Booth

Callum Booth is a freelance journalist with over a decade of experience. Previously, he was the Managing Editor of TNW, where his reporting (show all) Callum Booth is a freelance journalist with over a decade of experience. Previously, he was the Managing Editor of TNW, where his reporting was cited widely, including in VICE, the FT, and the BBC. Callum’s writing has appeared in The Verge, The Daily Telegraph, Time Out, and many more. He covers the full spectrum of technology, with a particular focus on how it shapes our daily lives. And a lot of regulation stuff too. Outside of work, Callum’s an avid bookworm, a Fisherman’s Friends addict, and resolutely unshaven. Follow him on Twitter @CallumBooth or visit www.callumbooth.net.