Powerbeats Pro 2 Update Adds Heart Rate Monitoring for Workouts

The much-awaited Powerbeats Pro 2 Earbuds have been officially launched by Apple, marking the arrival years after the debut of the original Powerbeats. The new iteration has the same signature ear hook design which is perfect for workouts. 

It comes with an enhanced sound quality, extended battery life, and a wireless charging case. The earbuds represent a significant advancement in the efforts of Apple to integrate healthcare features as they are now equipped with built-in heart rate monitoring. 

This feature activates during exercise offering real-time data through LED optical sensors. In addition to being compatible with the health app of Apple, heart rate monitoring works perfectly fine with other popular applications. These applications include Runna, Ladder, Peloton, Open, Slopes, Nike Run Club, and Yao Yao. 

However, the absence of Strava which is one of the most widely used running applications is notable. The Powerbeats contribute to the expanding health ecosystem of Apple which is mainly centered around the Apple Watch. 

While basic features such as step tracking have been part of the Apple Watch, Apple has significantly enhanced its health capabilities over time. The watch now consists of ECG readings, sleep tracking, fall detection, and a variety of other features that are designed to provide a comprehensive view of the user’s health. 

In 2024, Apple further diversified its services by bringing a hearing aid feature for the AirPods Pro 2. Unlike the Powerbeats which is specially designed for fitness enthusiasts, Apple’s headphones serve a broader lifestyle audience. 

The new earbuds have shifted from the W2 chip of Apple to the advanced H2 chip which was first seen in the AirPods Pro 2 in 2022. This chip is the main element of Apple’s headphone technology until the expected release of AirPods Pro 3. Apple has improved battery life with the new earbuds offering a remarkable use of 10 hours.