Beats Powerbeats (2010) vs Beats urBeats (2012)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

Powerbeats (2010) compared with urBeats (2012)

	BeatsPowerbeats (2010)	BeatsurBeats (2012)
Overview
Released
Released	2010	2012
Sound
Type
Type	In-ear	In-ear
Noise cancelling
Noise cancelling	No	No
Bluetooth codecs
Bluetooth codecs	None (wired)	None (wired)
Drivers
Drivers	Two drivers in each earpiece, described in the original maker announcement as a bass driver and a midrange/tweeter. Driver diameters are not published.	–
Noise cancelling detail
Noise cancelling detail	Ported tips deliberately admit surrounding sound; no active noise cancelling.	Passive isolation from fitted ear tips; no active noise cancelling.
Audio features
Audio features	–	Flat analogue audio cable (iPhoneItalia).
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)
Listening time (maker's claim)	No battery (wired)	No battery (wired)
Design
Headphone cable
Headphone cable	Yes	Yes
Controls
Controls	Cable remote provides playback, track navigation, volume, calls and voice commands on compatible devices; functionality varies by device.	Cable remote supports playback, track selection, scanning, volume, calls and voice commands on compatible devices; available functions vary by device.
Microphones
Microphones	Microphone built into the cable remote.	Microphone built into the remote cable.
Fit and ear tips
Fit and ear tips	Bendable rubber ear hooks and interchangeable silicone ear tips. The maker guide identifies these as in-ear headphones despite the hooks resting over the ear.	In-ear fit with interchangeable tips in different sizes and designs; metal earpiece housings (iPhoneItalia).
Water resistance detail
Water resistance detail	No IP code is published in the maker sources used. The guide advises avoiding liquids and warns that wet internal circuitry can be permanently damaged.	–
Works with
Works with	Wired 3.5 mm stereo connection. The guide lists iPod, iPhone, iPad, HTC, BlackBerry and Android devices, with remote functions dependent on the device.	3.5 mm headphone plug. The original APAC guide lists compatible iPod, iPhone, iPad, HTC, BlackBerry and Android devices. This entry follows the retail version rather than the HTC bundle's different remote. Apple's August 2012 retail price list already includes black and white urBeats; an October announcement therefore does not establish their first sale. The release retains year precision.
Colours
Colours	Black, red and white in the September 2010 maker announcement. Apple's November 2010 price list includes the black and red models; the precise first sale month is unproved, so the release retains year precision.	–
In the box
In the box	Earphones, interchangeable ear tips and protective case in the maker guide.	Earphones, interchangeable tips and carrying case; iPhoneItalia also lists a cable clip and documents in its reviewed retail package.