PowerBeats Pro Out Next Month, With Apple’s Fancy H1 Chip

Damien McFerran 09/04/2019 – 8:33am

Your next wireless headphones?

When Apple scooped up Beats by Dr. Dre a few years back, many within the industry pondered the wisdom of the move. However, as the mobile sector has moved to fully embrace wireless headphone technology, Apple's purchase of one of the leading companies in this space seemed to make more and more sense; now, Beats produces top-of-the-line wire-free options that take advantage of Apple's home-grown chips.

The firm has just announced the PowerBeats Pro headphones, which are – according to the press release – "the result of a deep integration between Beats and Apple engineering".

Priced at a whopping £219.95 in the UK, these 'earhook' headphones have been "completely re-engineered from the inside out", and are blessed with an "upgraded linear piston driver" to ensure these small-but-mighty cans sound as good as possible.

The signature earhook design – which made its debut in 2010 – has been refined as well, to ensure that the PowerBeats Pro fit the wide range of lugholes all over the world. The "ergonomically angled acoustic housing nests comfortably in the concha bowl of the ear with an off-axis nozzle", we're told, which sounds very encouraging, we must admit. More good news is the fact that these new headphones are 23 percent smaller than the previous model and 17 percent lighter, while remaining water resistant.

Despite the small size, the PowerBeats Pro offer around 9 hours of battery life, but can last for more than 24 hours when used with the magnetic closure case. Using the 'Fast Fuel' charging system, you can get 1.5 hours of playback after just 5 minutes of charging – perfect for those last-minute trips out.

Beats may be an Apple company, but the PowerBeats Pro aren't just compatible with Apple devices – you can use them with your Android phone as well, although the connection process is a little more streamlined if you're using iOS – Powerbeats Pro will automatically pair with supported devices via your iCloud account. Finally, there's the Apple difference. Thanks to the inclusion of the Apple H1 chip, these wireless cans benefit from a rock-solid connection to your phone.

"Powerbeats Pro is a harmonious blend of premium sound, fit and functionality," said Luke Wood, president of Beats. "Powerbeats are already the #1 fitness headphones in the world and they are now untethered, with all the benefits of the Apple H1 chip. No longer do you have to choose between performance and practicality—it delivers the best on both fronts.”

You'll be able to get your hands on these next month, either direct from Apple or from your local retailer.