Apple Discontinues Powerbeats Pro, New Model Launching Next Year With These Features

[MacRumors]

Apple at some point in the past week or so discontinued the Powerbeats Pro, around five and a half years after the wireless earbuds launched.

Powerbeats Pro are a sportier, fitness-focused alternative to AirPods Pro with built-in, adjustable ear hooks for a secure fit. Key features of the original Powerbeats Pro include the H1 chip that debuted in the AirPods 2, IPX4-rated sweat and water resistance, up to nine hours of battery life, and silicone ear tips with four size options.

In a short teaser video last month, Apple revealed that it will be launching new Powerbeats Pro 2 next year. The earbuds look similar to the original Powerbeats Pro, but they have a more vertical, slimmer design. MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris later discovered iOS 18 code revealing that the Powerbeats Pro 2 will feature heart rate monitoring during workouts, and gain support for Active Noise Cancellation, Spatial Audio, and Adaptive Audio.

Powerbeats Pro 2 images in iOS 18 code​

The leaked iOS 18 code also revealed new orange, purple, black, and beige color options for the Powerbeats Pro 2 and their charging case.

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

Apple did not reveal a specific release date in 2025 for the Powerbeats Pro 2.

The rumored heart rate monitoring feature has also been rumored for the AirPods Pro in the past, so perhaps the feature will extend to the AirPods Pro 3.

Article Link: Apple Discontinues Powerbeats Pro, New Model Launching Next Year With These Features

 

[Berti10]

Bought them when they were new in 2019 or so. Always had problem with charging because the closing lid always made the Powerbeats slide away from the charging contacts. And when using I was always dead. Bad product.

 

[SactoGuy18]

Bought them when they were new in 2019 or so. Always had problem with charging because the closing lid always made the Powerbeats slide away from the charging contacts. And when using I was always dead. Bad product.

That's why I got the Powerbeats (4th Generation) instead. Yes, you have to charge through the Lightning port but at least you don't have to worry about charging case issues.

 

[blairh]

I've been using PBPs since the day they launched in 2019. To date I believe there is still no better option on the market for earhook buds.

I am thrilled for the 2025 redesign. Very long overdue.

 

[thomasjpr]

Bought them when they were new in 2019 or so. Always had problem with charging because the closing lid always made the Powerbeats slide away from the charging contacts. And when using I was always dead. Bad product.

Same story here. It's really difficult to reliably make contact with the charging contacts, and I frequently open the case and find one of them to be low on battery or completely dead. I otherwise love this product and hope that the next version has improved charging.

 

[StuBeck]

I hope they fix the charging issue. My problem has weirdly gone from the right earbud to the left. I have to leave the lid open to ensure it charges, but I'm about to switch to another brand because for something I use 6 hours a week, it shouldn't be having so many issues being charged.

 

[TechRemarker]

Can't come soon enough. Here's for hoping at the March/Spring event and not June or October. As have had since day one, and even though wanted USB-C and hated that so often they didn't charge, but for those of us who use them and not the many other modern Apple/Beats options, they are the only ones that don't fall off. So thankful that user base is large enough they didn't drop the line entirely even if it's small enough that they felt comfortable letting it sit for 5 years even with known hardware issues. Hoping a wireless charging case and transparency mode and Siri without Hey Siri, but time will tell.

 

[Daul]

I’ve tried three different Beats products over the last decade. All were garbage. All got returned.
Poor quality audio, poor fit and kept falling out, and/or plain uncomfortable.
Never again.

 

[jimbobb24]

The wired together version of these (#3?) was my best set of running headphones ever. Sadly they broke for the last time a few weeks ago.

 

[SactoGuy18]

I’ve tried three different Beats products over the last decade. All were garbage. All got returned.
Poor quality audio, poor fit and kept falling out, and/or plain uncomfortable.
Never again.

I have the Beats Studio Buds+. Surprisingly good sound quality and I've never had issues with case charging the earbuds.

 

[Capeto]

Love my Powerbeats Pro for working out but I have to agree with the charging contact issue- I always have to check both the case to make sure the light indicating they're charging are on, and then double-check on my phone because sometimes they will start charging but then slide away. There's also the fact that they're among my last remaining Lightning accessories.

This updated version will be a day one purchase for me, especially if they have HR monitoring.

 

[Aka757]

Can’t wait for the Powerbeats Pro 2. I resurrected my original pair of Powerbeats Pro earlier this week and have been loving them. A modern update with ANC and that keeps the same battery life will be a no-brainer day 1 purchase for me. Wish the AirPods Pro lasted as long as these.

 

[MrGimper]

Bought them in 2019 and like others had issues with charging. Had them replaced due to the little grilles coming off the speaker holes and suggesting to Apple they may have come off in my ear canals

The replacements have been used once as I moved to beats fit pro.

 

[macmyworld]

Wish Apple would use foam tips or something better for people who get reactions to the current tips. Ended up at a doctor from these things and learned others have the same issue. You can buy third party foam tips, but hate paying for them

 

[Numbah One]

Too bad Apple is skipping Christmas 2024. I've had my Powerbeats Pro since 2019 and they've been great except for the extra effort it takes to make sure they are seated in the case for charging and the huge (relatively speaking) case size. It's a poor design that made it through the product development cycle. Hope the new ones are available early 2025.

 

[McWetty]

My first PBP’s died at the 18 mo mark. Fortunately, I had AC on them through Costco so they gave me a whole new pair. That second pair has been flawless for the last 3 years.

I will easily pick up those orange ones when they hit. The only downside to PBP is the charging/battery hardware is flaky.

 

[appleCakes]

I’ve been using mine for 4 years, almost everyday, and it has stood water, sweat, drops, etc. Good ear fit, and decent to great sound quality. I’ve kept the charging pads going by coating them with a tiny bit of solder materiel (and proper positioning in the case), but still find one earbud not charged from time to time.

Contactless charging would be the biggest practical improvement. Next practical one would be mic improvement: This product is meant for active people running, biking ... who occasionally need to pick up or make calls while moving (think wind while biking, receiving a call, and you don’t want to stop).

Other spec bumps are nice but don’t matter without practical improvements. Hopefully they understand Powerbeats Pro could complement AirPods.

 

[Razorpit]

Too bad Apple is skipping Christmas 2024. I've had my Powerbeats Pro since 2019 and they've been great except for the extra effort it takes to make sure they are seated in the case for charging and the huge (relatively speaking) case size. It's a poor design that made it through the product development cycle. Hope the new ones are available early 2025.

That's the first thing I thought of. Very bad timing on Apple's part. While I'm sure it's won't be noticeable to Apple's bottom line, I'd sure as heck he happy to have that missing profit in my bank account. 😄

 

[bodonnell202]

Bought them when they were new in 2019 or so. Always had problem with charging because the closing lid always made the Powerbeats slide away from the charging contacts. And when using I was always dead. Bad product.

Yes I had a set from new as well that were great for working out... mine didn't start exhibiting that behavior until they were a couple years old, and even then it was always just one earbud that was consistently not charging. Ultimately I stopped using them though as I was annoyed at how 1 earbud was often dead when I went to use them and fiddling with them to make sure both were charging was too much effort. Current options aren't quite as good at staying put when I'm working out so I'd definitely consider the Powerbeats Pro 2.

 

[Tyler O'Bannon]

These needed an update after AirPods Pro 2. And the first gen needed the ANC after the release of AirPods Pro 1. These are a wonderful product, and they were neglected too long. If these get H2 and ANC, they will be outstanding.

 

[Cheesehead Dave]

Bought them when they were new in 2019 or so. Always had problem with charging because the closing lid always made the Powerbeats slide away from the charging contacts. And when using I was always dead. Bad product.

In the same boat. I've learned to be very careful putting them into the charger, then double checking my phone to make sure one of them still isn't connected.

I love these to death though and will jump on the next generation right away. AirPods do not stay in my ears at all when running, but these fit great with the ear hooks. The case is also my last device that requires a Lightning charger, so I can't wait for an upgrade.

 

[siddavis]

I'm still using a set of Powerbeats³ that I got as a gift I think in 2018. Not any issue with those except not loving the USB charging port.

 

[BoricuaHec01]

Count me in. I had the 2019's and til this day, my personal favorite wireless earhook buds.

 

[Agile55]

Count me in. I had the 2019's and til this day, my personal favorite wireless earhook buds.

A 2019 launch user but after 40yrs of distance running stopped that yr but now use ‘em 3X’s a week cycling on my roadie & will also have to try the new model.

 

[skellener]

I can't use Airpods. They just fall out of my ears. I wish they would bring the ear hooks to Airpods or at least continue with the ear hooks on any new PowerBeats Pro they may release. I'll keep using my PowerBeats Pro as long as they hold up.