CUPERTINO, Calif., Oct. 18, 2024 Five years after the release of its fitness-oriented alternative to AirPods, Apple (AAPL, Financials) has discontinued its Powerbeats Pro wireless headphones.

The action precedes the planned Powerbeats Pro 2 release, which is expected to take off anytime next year. Last month, Beats by Dre dropped a teaser on X, suggesting that the next model would feature spatial and adaptive audio capabilities, noise canceling, and a heart rate monitor. It is important to mention that tech giant Apple continues innovating its audio devices, and with fresh health and sound technologies, the upcoming Powerbeats Pro 2 should expand on the popularity of its predecessor. Moreover, on the back of its AI announcements and Apple Intelligence featured in its latest iteration of iPhones, Apple stock continues moving ahead with considerable aplomb.

9to5Mac said Friday, "It's unclear why Apple didn't keep manufacturing the headphones until their successor was ready for launch." The Apple Store and the Beats website both will have the Powerbeats Pro removed from them. Moreover, early afternoon trade, following the news, saw Apple's shares rise by 1.5%.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.