Beats unveils Powerbeats Fit as fitness-focused wireless earbuds

Beats unveiled the Powerbeats Fit, a redesigned, fitness-focused pair of wireless earbuds that the company said are available for preorder now and will reach retail stores on October 2. Priced at about $200 or £199.95, the new model succeeds the Beats Fit Pro in the company’s lineup and will be sold through Apple’s online store and other retailers.

Beats positioned the Powerbeats Fit as a refinement rather than a full overhaul. The earbuds replace the over-ear hook with a flexible wingtip that tucks into the upper ear; Beats says the wingtip is 20 percent more flexible than before to improve comfort while retaining a secure fit during workouts. The product ships with four sizes of ear tips and an IPX4 sweat and splash resistance rating for both the buds and the charging case. The case is roughly 17 percent smaller than the prior Fit Pro case and holds battery to extend usage on the go.

Battery life is rated at up to seven hours per earbud on a single charge and up to 30 hours with the charging case with noise cancellation off. With ANC enabled, Beats lists about six hours on the buds and 24 hours in total. Fast Fuel charging provides roughly one hour of playback from a five...