The Powerbeats Pro, despite its global popularity, was never really launched in India. But Apple-owned Beats wants to set the record right by bringing the Powerbeats Pro 2 to India at the same time now as the rest of the world. The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 is aimed at users who are active and need something that stays in place even during intense workouts. And this is why the earphones offer heart rate sensors and are sweat and water-resistant.
Though I am an active person, I am not an athlete by any stretch of the imagination. Still, I do wear the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (review) at all times to monitor my steps and heart rate. With the Powerbeats Pro 2, you can leave the smartwatch at home if you are just tracking just heart rate, as the real-time numbers will start flowing into your Apple Health App or some third-party apps like Nike Run Club. Later you can check the apps to see how long you were in the prescribed zone.
The styling is new but clearly stems from the design language of the earlier version. There are no angles or corners now and the ear hooks wrap behind your lobes comfortably and stay securely in place at all times. On the back of the earplugs are buttons that let you play and pause. For volume control, there are rockers on both sides. I like this because you don’t have to fumble with gestures and double taps when you are working out.
The charging case is now lighter and also supports wireless charging. (Image credit: Nandagopal Rajan/The Indian Express)
In the box, you get silicone tips in four different sizes. Getting your size right is critical because this helps the active noise cancellation to really get on point and blocks external noises from coming in. The noise cancellation is good, but not comparable to the AirPods Pro for instance. That could also be because in this use case, you really don’t want to be fully cut off from the external world. When both noise cancellation and transparency are off, the adapter equaliser comes into play and offers the audio profile best suited for your environment.
Like with other devices from Beats, the Powerbeats Pro 2 is also natively integrated with iOS. So you get a popup as soon as you open the flap of the charging case. Then all over you see the customised icon of the device and a tap on the volume controls lets you adjust the noise control and spatial audio features. You can also use Find My services to locate a lost earphone. On Android, however, you need to download the app to access these.
I have always felt that Beats devices have a very unique audio profile which I find sharper than most of the other brands I have reviewed over the years. The Powerbeats Pro 2 is no different. The richness of the Beats audio is in its clarity, which is almost unmatched. For those used to bassy, mellow sound profiles, this will feel like a big change.
Listening to some of my favourite songs, I could feel the Powerbeats Pro 2 offering a perspective I was not used to. With Sreeragamo, the legendary rendition of Yesudas stood out, and the wonderful arrangements which are the trademark of this song, did not come in the way at any time. I wanted to push the limits of the earphones and moved to Mr Bradley by Colin Reichard, and immediately felt the boost in the bass capabilities of the Powerbeats Pro 2. So it can push itself when needed on the lows.
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PowerBeats Pro 2 can sync real-time heart raate with various health apps. (Image credit: Nandagopal Rajan/The Indian Express)
And this versatility makes it really good for use on the gym floor as it can be very punchy with beats and help you push the pace of your workouts. In fact, with the Run, February playlist running on Apple Music, I was tempted to increase the pace of my strides for a few minutes and I could see my heartbeat race up at the same time on the Health App. I would have loved it if the Powerbeats Pro 2 could also keep track of my steps.
But while running, and sweating in the process, I could appreciate the new design of the Powerbeats Pro 2, which not only stayed in place but also did not irritate me in any way due to the unusual exertions. And despite the compact nature of this ear hook design, the device packs about 45 hours of juice on a single charge.
The call quality is where the clarity of the Powerbeats Pro 2 really shines through. You can hear the other side very clearly and your voice too goes through in the same quality.
My one grouse with the Powerbeats Pro 2 is how big the charging case is. In fact, I have seen wallets and purses which are a bit smaller than this. This one will not look good in your denim pockets and will more than justify having your gym kit on you, even when you are not going for a workout.
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At Rs 29,900, I suggest this for serious workout freaks who are entrenched in the Apple ecosystem. The audio quality is top-notch, and so is the ease with which this device works with other Apple devices. This is without doubt among the best options available for fitness enthusiasts, but maybe not for everyone.
