After teasing the upcoming release of fitness-oriented Powerbeats Pro 2 wireless earbuds in September 2024, Apple and subsidiary Beats just made new filings with regulatory agencies that all but confirm the new buds will come out soon, according to a Wednesday report. The new earbuds likely will go on sale within weeks (or a couple of months at the latest).
Federal regulatory filings suggests Powerbeats Pro 2 will come out soon
Apple recently filed regulatory paperwork for a new model of Powerbeats Pro 2, according to 91mobiles.com — and that’s typically a sure sign a product release will follow soon. The report noted Apple filed documents very recently with the Federal Communications Commission and with the Bureau of Indian Standards prior to that.
Previously, Apple teased the new model through a short video posted on X.com showing Major League Baseball phenom Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers wearing the new buds and citing a 2025 release. Powerbeats Pro, discontinued but still on sale at some retailers, differ from other Apple and Beats earbuds in that they include full ear hooks to help them fit securely even during physical exertion. And in the new design, pictured above, the buds appear slimmer than the original.
The report from 91mobiles.com cited different model numbers for the earbuds and speculated on their designations: A3157 (right earbud), A3158 (left earbud) and A3160 for the charging case.
Details on features remain a bit sketchy
Photo: Apple
Even with the new Powerbeats Pro 2 filings, many details about the earbuds remain unknown. But other recent releases strongly suggest we can expect better audio quality than the original Powerbeats Pros, which launched in 2019. The new model also should bring longer battery life, a USB-C connector and broad compatibility. (Beats is known for Android as well as Apple compatibility.) It’s also likely we’ll see active noise cancellation and Spatial Audio.
Powerbeats Pro 2 potentially could add health-tracking features and tie-ins to Apple’s Health app for measurements like heart rate tracking. And images found in iOS 18 code show the buds in black, beige, orange and purple colors.
May not include multi-connect capability
However, the report noted some Apple earbuds features may be absent.
“The device doesn’t allow simultaneous transmission capability,” it said. “This could mean it won’t support Bluetooth multi-connect or the ability to connect the earphones to two or more devices simultaneously. Meanwhile, AirPods Pro 2 allow seamless switching between Apple devices but the same is not possible with other platforms.”
Still a popular choice, the original Powerbeats Pro are currently available on Amazon at 28% off, costing $249.95 $179.95.
