Apple's New Powerbeats Pro 2 Earbuds Can Track Heart Rate. But It's Not Groundbreaking: Check Out Rivals
Earbuds over a varied price range from brands like Sennheiser and JBL are also capable of tracking your heart rate.
Apple-owned Beats has officially launched the Powerbeats Pro 2 in India, targeting fitness enthusiasts and athletes with its latest premium earbuds. Packed with cutting-edge technology, the Powerbeats Pro 2 introduces heart-rate monitoring through the ears, a feature that sets it apart from conventional earbuds. While the heart-rate monitoring feature is nothing new and several other earbuds support the same, it marks a first for an Apple as none of its audio offerings supported this earlier.
Powerbeats Pro 2 Price, Availability
Priced at Rs 29,900, the Powerbeats Pro 2 will be available for open sale starting February 13.
At this price point, the Powerbeats Pro 2 goes against several other premium earbuds with the heart-rate monitoring feature. Some of its biggest rivals are Sennheiser Momentum Sport (Rs 19,999) and JBL Under Armour Sport (Rs 6,999).
How Can Earbuds Monitor Heart Rate?
Earbuds monitor heart rate via photoplethysmography, or PPG, which uses LED light signals to detect and measure changes in blood volume within the ear canal. This simply means that your earbuds with PPG sensors can track your pulse based on blood flow variation near the ear drum.
Powerbeats Pro 2 Specifications, Features
Designed to cater specifically to those leading an active lifestyle, the Powerbeats Pro 2 comes with several upgrades over its predecessor. One of the most notable additions is the built-in heart rate sensor, utilising LED optical technology to track blood flow and deliver real-time heart rate data. This feature integrates seamlessly with compatible fitness apps, making it a valuable tool for workout tracking.
Beyond heart-rate monitoring, Beats has focused on enhancing comfort and performance. The earbuds now feature a redesigned ear hook for a more secure fit during intense workouts. Additionally, audio performance has been refined with improved sound quality, Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), and a Transparency mode, ensuring users can stay aware of their surroundings when needed.
Battery life also sees a significant boost. With the included charging case, the Powerbeats Pro 2 offers up to 45 hours of playback. The case itself has been redesigned, now 35 per cent smaller while supporting faster charging. A quick five-minute charge delivers approximately 90 minutes of playback, and for the first time in Beats' lineup, the case supports wireless charging.
The Powerbeats Pro 2 is optimised for Apple’s ecosystem, running on the H2 chip to enable seamless connectivity with iPhones and other Apple devices.
Powerbeats Pro 2 Colour Options
The earbuds will be available in four colour options — Jet Black, Quick Sand, Hyper Purple, and Electric Orange—through Apple’s official website and other retail partners.
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