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Details and images of Apple's 'Powerbeats 4' leak

Purportedly leaked marketing image for the new red Powerbeats 4

Specifications and images for Apple's forthcoming "Powerbeats 4" wireless earbuds have appeared online, showing increased battery life, plus the addition of "Hey, Siri."

Following both January 2020's discovery of a "Powerbeats 4" icon within iOS 13.3.1, and February's FCC approval of the device, what appear to be final specifications and images have leaked. The latest sports wireless earbuds will add Apple's H1 chip, and bring up to 3 extra hours battery life than the 12 hours in the previous Powerbeats 3.

The addition of the H1 chip means, if correct, that Powerbeats 4 will feature "Hey, Siri," plus the ability to announce messages with Siri. The H1 chip is already in Apple's Powerbeats Pro, AirPods 2, and AirPods Pro.

The leaked marketing images match previous reports, showing a new arrangement of cabling. Like the previous model, the Powerbeats 4 connect over Bluetooth to users' iPhones, but there is also a cable running between the two earbuds. Intended just to keep the Powerbeats earbuds stay around your neck in use, the new design sees the cabling connect to the ear hook instead of dangling from the earbuds as before.

According to German site WinFuture, the battery needs only five minutes charging to get an hour's use. And Powerbeats 4 is now expected to be available in black, white, and red. Powerbeats 3 do have a mixed red and black edition, but not an entirely red one. There is also a mixed "pop blue" version of Powerbeats 3 and, so far, it appears Powerbeats 4 will not continue that.

A new cabling design means the wire connecting the two earbuds attaches on the ear hook. A new cabling design means the wire connecting the two earbuds attaches on the ear hook.

Apple has not commented on the information, nor given any indication of when the Powerbeats 4 may be released. There is also no detail about pricing, although the previous Powerbeats 3 retailed for $199.95, and Powerbeats Pro cost $249.95.



8 Comments

longpath 20 Years · 401 comments

I wonder if it will get noise cancellation, as well.

davgreg 9 Years · 1050 comments

longpath said:
I wonder if it will get noise cancellation, as well.

Some of us do not want noise cancellation, nor do we want to pay for what we do not use. It can be very dangerous when you are out walking/running to not be able to hear what is going on around you.

These things are not for critical listening- they are a convenience item. I have a pair of B&W headphones and a set of Focal speakers at home for that kind of listening.

randominternetperson 8 Years · 3101 comments

davgreg said:
longpath said:
I wonder if it will get noise cancellation, as well.

Some of us do not want noise cancellation, nor do we want to pay for what we do not use. It can be very dangerous when you are out walking/running to not be able to hear what is going on around you.

These things are not for critical listening- they are a convenience item. I have a pair of B&W headphones and a set of Focal speakers at home for that kind of listening.

And plenty of other people spend time sitting on noisy planes and trains where noise cancellation is often a necessity for listening to content at reasonable volume levels.

bonobob 13 Years · 395 comments

davgreg said:
longpath said:
I wonder if it will get noise cancellation, as well.

Some of us do not want noise cancellation, nor do we want to pay for what we do not use. It can be very dangerous when you are out walking/running to not be able to hear what is going on around you.

These things are not for critical listening- they are a convenience item. I have a pair of B&W headphones and a set of Focal speakers at home for that kind of listening.
Did you know that noise cancellation can be turned off, precisely to cover the situation you describe?  Well, you do now. 

Pro tip:  Don’t include your reply to a comment as part of the quotation. 

Appleish 8 Years · 717 comments

So uninterested. AirPods Pro are exactly what I was waiting for. I hate hooks on my ears. The Pros never, ever fall out of my ears while working out.