Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Review: Solid Performance, But Lacks a Standout Edge

Beats by Dre, which is owned by Apple, officially entered the Indian market last year, although its launch was not new as the company had already introduced its product range. The brand later on added new lines by launching festival themed variants and a special edition with Kim Kardashian. However, now with the Powerbeats Pro 2 being launched globally and in India at the same time, it is more clear how serious they are about the Indian market.  

The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are unique in two ways – they have an ear-hook design and use an optical heart rate sensor for workouts. Both of these features improve their functionality but come with some disadvantages. Let's discuss them further.  

The Powerbeats Pro 2 however pack a hefty charging and storage case, which makes one ponder about the size of Powerbeats Pro. How about this, is it 33% smaller than its predecessor? The new case readily claims to be smaller, yet sturdier. Despite the height reductions, the case still is bulky, noticeably heavier when carrying the earphones inside. It’s portable, but it is difficult to fit into pockets.  

The case has a sleek yet heavy duty look.

There is an LED indicator on the front that displays pairing and charging status, a USB-C port at the back used for wired charging, and a dedicated button for pairing. There are no magnets for alignment, but it can be wirelessly (Qi) charged. 

Compared to the charging case, the earphones themselves present a more delicate design. For an ear-hook-style option, it is surprisingly compact and lightweight. The in-ear structure, combined with five sizes of silicone ear tips (XS and XL included), ensures the earphones will be secure. However, this comes with the drawback of long-term comfort. 

Soft silicone ear tips can only go so far, and their softness turns into discomfort for long hours of use. The ear-hooks that are supposed to sit securely behind the ears will also lead to discomfort during prolonged wearing and workout sessions. 

These comfort issues are partially switched out for ease of use. A small amount of mechanical detachable volume controls makes any adjustment effortless, but can lead to inadvertent squeezing while on the go. Playback control and active noise cancellation (ANC) can also be toggled with the Beats logo, located on the outer face. In addition to magnetic connectors, there is an optical heart rate sensor, another optical sensor for in-ear detection, and the rest is hidden by the side view.  

Powerbeats Pro 2 is remarkably aided by the seamless integration of the software ecosystem as an Apple product.

When opening the case to an Apple product, a brief connection occurs and EarPods will sync across all Apple devices logged into the same iCloud account. However, one downside is that the earphones don’t have multi-point connectivity, which can be bothersome for people switching between devices with different operating systems such as Windows PCs, iPhones, and Android tablets.  

 HEART RATE MONITORING  

 The Powerbeats Pro 2’s heart rate (HR) monitoring feature is one of the reasons why they stand out against other wireless earphones. But along with this feature also come several limitations.  

 Unlike fitness bands or smartwatches, the incorporation of HR monitoring on these earphones is limited to workout sessions only– they can transfer data to select third-party apps only during workouts.  

 ON THE OTHER HAND: Special edition 'Beats x Kim' Studio Pro headphones and Pill speakers have been rolled out.  

 On iOS, only RUNN, Nike Run Club, Open, Ladder, Slopes, and YaoYao support HR monitoring, and these are only six out of the whole. Broader capabilities are on offer on Android as it supports all health and fitness applications equipped with an HR monitoring tool.  

 However, even with all the above convenience, data accuracy still lacks reliability. The Powerbeats Pro 2 have been reported to provide similar readings for several other metrics including heart rate with Powerbeats Pro 2. The Apple Watch Series 8 is not the worst device to over-expose wearable technology to give the world a vast industry.

Nonetheless, accuracy depends on fit as well as the amount of sensor contact. The build-up of sweat during physical activity can compromise sensor function and accuracy. In addition, the sensor has to be in contact with the skin completely to produce dependable readings. 

Audio Quality And Noise Cancelling Performance 

For the Powerbeats Pro 2, while the audio quality is above average, it is not exceptional. The sound profile is neutral with no excessive sub-bass or high treble. The device’s audio does not vary at different volume levels, which is good. Still, there is a difference in audio quality with ANC on and off. For some strange reason, the headphones sound better with ANC on. In transparency mode or without ANC, the sound is dull and uninspiring. 

ANC itself does work, but it is not outstanding. While transparency mode allows in outside noise, it does not alter it in any way. Unfortunately, additional features from Apple, like Conversation Mode, which mutes the music when the earpieces hear speech, are not available. Custom controls to answer and reject calls on AirPods are also not included. 

Even with these shortcomings, the quality of calls is a strong point.

With 3 Microphones for Every Earbud, The Powerbeats Pro 2's Voice Clarity Often Exceeds That Of The AirPods Pro. They Are Also Clearer In The Low And High Environments. 

Battery Life

The Battery Life Of Powerbeats Pro 2 Is Amongst Its Biggest Selling Points. Beats Claims 10 Hours Of Battery Life On A Single Charge With The ANC Disabled And That Usage Comes Close to Reality. With ANC and HR Monitoring Turned On, They Last About 7-8 Hours On A Single Charge. That’s Quite Impressive. For Comparison, The AirPods 4 With ANC Provides Only 4 Hours Of Playback With ANC Turned On. 

Verdict

The Powerbeats Pro 2 Is Priced At Rs 29,900 And The Price Seems Justified With The Features Provided Such As A Good Fit, Workout If Focused, And Good Battery Life. The Catch Is That It Does Not Have Exclusive Apple Features That Would Have Usability And There Are Comfort Issues. With Them Being Great For Fitness Fanatics, They Are Not Great If You're Looking For A True Wireless Earphone.