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Apple has launched its first earphones that can measure your pulse. For months, there has been speculation AirPods might soon be upgraded to include this feature – but it instead arrives with the Powerbeats Pro 2.
Apple is competing against several rival brands that already equip their earphones with heart rate monitors.
The first Powerbeats Pro came out in 2019. This new generation of sports earphone features a refined version of its distinctive ear clip. According to Apple, the Powerbeats Pro 2 are a fifth smaller and lighter than their predecessors and have a longer battery life.
The clamp is an additional safeguard that enables the Powerbeats Pro 2 to sit securely in users’ ears without slipping out, even after long periods of activity – whether that be jogging, jumping or sprinting.

This also means users do not feel dull vibrations with every step – a drawback of many earphones with rubber tips.
Users should note that it takes practice to learn how to correctly place the new Powerbeats Pro in their ears without turning playback on and off.
It is also worth running the fit check in the settings – at least when using the earphones for the first time – as even small gaps noticeably reduce the active noise cancellation. Apple is including five sizes of rubber tips to ensure a tight fit.
As one might expect in the first new generation of Powerbeats Pro in more than five years, they feature an improved amplifier and a newly developed (9.5mm) mini-speaker. The result is powerful bass with a precise high end. They also support Dolby Atmos 3D audio.
To meet the big computing requirements, the Powerbeats Pro 2 have been fitted with Apple’s H2 chip and not the Beats semiconductor system used by the new Beats Solo 4 headphones.

This means the Powerbeats Pro 2 integrate seamlessly into the Apple ecosystem. Android users will have to depend on the Beats app.
The Powerbeats Pro 2 are resistant against sweat and water with an IPX4 rating.
Each earphone has volume-control buttons in addition to the usual multifunction button. The idea behind this is to make operation as easy as possible, even with sweaty fingers or while wearing gloves.
One charge should last for 10 hours of playback. With the quick-charge function, five minutes in the case should provide up to an hour and a half of battery life.
Apple Watch Sport owners should note that while wearing the watch and Powerbeats Pro 2 together, the pulse rate is measured simultaneously at the wrist and in the ear, and Apple currently prefers the measurement taken by the watch.

However, Apple assures users there are no accuracy issues with the Powerbeats Pro. The smaller sensors and the calculation algorithms also benefit from the company’s years of experience making the watch.
When the Powerbeats Pro 2 are used with an iPhone, the heart rate measurement automatically turns on when users begin a workout in one of several supported apps, including those from Nike and Peloton.
Users can also ask Siri for their current heart rate while in the middle of a workout. Android users have to start the measurement on the earphones or via the Beats app.
The Powerbeats Pro 2 come in four colours: diamond black, quicksand, hyper purple and fluorescent orange. The price is HK$1,999 in Hong Kong, US$250 in the US and €300 in the EU.


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Powerbeats Pro 2 are Apple’s first earphones to measure your heart rate. What else they do

Rather than AirPods, Apple has made the new Powerbeats Pro 2 its first earphones to be able to measure your pulse.  

The Powerbeats Pro 2 feature a refined version of their distinctive ear clip to help them stay in your ears even during long workouts. 

The new Powerbeats Pro earphones use Apple’s powerful H2 chip to meet computing requirements.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 integrate seamlessly into the Apple ecosystem and are water and sweat resistant.

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Gadgets

Health & Wellness

Health

Apple’s first Powerbeats Pro sports earphones in years are smaller with a better fit, chip and battery. They work seamlessly with iPhone


Apple’s first Powerbeats Pro sports earphones in years are smaller with a better fit, chip and battery. They work seamlessly with iPhone.


Apple

Technology