Alongside the announcement of the iPhone SE back on April 15, regulatory documents for what appeared to be new Powerbeats Pro models were also uploaded to the Federal Communications Commission's website, reflecting new Apple model numbers of A2453 and A2454 for the left and right earpieces.
The regulatory documents filed for the new Powerbeats Pro models don't appear to have revealed significant changes to the wire-free earbuds, but speculation about what they might be has grown as the updated models have gained regulatory certification in other countries in recent weeks, including in Malaysia and South Korea.
Much of the speculation has suggested that these new models represent a second-generation "Powerbeats Pro 2" that is set for imminent release, but we believe it's more likely a minor internal tweak to the existing models that will soon be or has already been quietly released without any announcement or changes to public-facing specs.
Apple maintains lists of regulatory Declarations of Conformity for the European Union for all of its current products on its website, and the current listing for Powerbeats Pro on Apple's Beats page mentions both sets of model numbers (A2047/A2048 and A2453/A2454) as of April 15, suggesting that Apple considers these sets of model numbers to both be current-generation products.
With nearly a month gone by since the first regulatory filings for the new model numbers and Apple openly acknowledging them on its website, the most probable explanation is that these minor revisions of the Powerbeats Pro have already begun rolling out.
If you've recently purchased Powerbeats Pro, you can check the fine print on the inside of each earpiece and let us know if you're seeing the new A2453/A2454 model numbers.
Thursday January 29, 2026 10:07 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today confirmed to Reuters that it has acquired Q.ai, an Israeli startup that is working on artificial intelligence technology for audio.
Apple paid close to $2 billion for Q.ai, according to sources cited by the Financial Times. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone and audio brand Beats in 2014.
Q.ai has...
Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon.
In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis.
In his Powe...
Saturday January 31, 2026 10:51 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple recently updated its online store with a new ordering process for Macs, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro.
There used to be a handful of standard configurations available for each Mac, but now you must configure a Mac entirely from scratch on a feature-by-feature basis. In other words, ordering a new Mac now works much like ordering an...
Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models.
"All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
"Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today.
"I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...
I honestly think the Beats Studio 3's - being so close to the Solo Beats 3's or now Pro's in features, may now be dead. That along with rumours of Apple going into over-the-ear pro headset market this year.
The only minimal tweak the Powerbeats Pro should get is: a SMALLER charging/carrying case! Put them inside a case ... parrellel yet mirrored to one another (like this L:T you get what I mean) along with similar spare charges.
Maybe, but over ear headphones are definitely more popular than on ear headphones like the Pro. I'm sure my other half would be happy with an Apple version. Either way Apple is taking a long time.
Any idea what the changes are between the two models? I've had so many issues with my PBP's. The latest was the right one staying connected, in spite of being cleaned and properly berthed, and then not charging normally. I have them in the case, 'charging', if they feel so motivated. *sigh*
My wife has the same connection issue with hers. She only uses them on the Peloton but it’s guaranteed every other time to have connection issues. Charging seems fine. They are sharp looking in white but not being reliable is a pain for the price.