Apple’s Beats division recently launched the Powerbeats Pro 2, a highly anticipated successor to the original 2019 version. This release also hinted at a key feature for the upcoming AirPods Pro 3 – heart rate monitoring.
It would have been unusual for Apple to introduce a health feature exclusively to its Beats headphones, indicating that it was likely to appear on the AirPods Pro 3. This move followed years of speculation about Apple’s plans to incorporate more health features into future AirPods models.
The decision to include heart rate monitoring in the Powerbeats Pro 2 before the AirPods Pro 3 may seem surprising at first. However, a closer look reveals a pattern that mirrors Apple’s previous product launches.
When the original Powerbeats Pro debuted, the standard AirPods were the only option available. The AirPods 2 had just been released, and the AirPods Pro were still several months away. This timeline repeated with the release of the Powerbeats Pro 2, which became the first Apple earbuds to feature heart rate sensors, foreshadowing a similar feature on the AirPods Pro 3 210 days later.
While the Powerbeats Pro 2 introduced heart rate sensors, the AirPods Pro 3 promised to utilize them more effectively. Apple showcased how the new AirPods could track workouts with the Apple Fitness app, offering a seamless integration with the Apple Watch and real-time monitoring of key health metrics.
Recent updates have brought the Powerbeats Pro 2 in line with the AirPods Pro 3, enabling health monitoring integration and additional features like Siri head gestures. Users can now track their heart rate during workouts, count steps taken, and benefit from improved heart rate tracking algorithms.
With the latest firmware update, Powerbeats Pro 2 users can enjoy the same workout options and real-time health data as AirPods Pro 3 users. The combination of heart rate data from both devices, along with other workout metrics, ensures a comprehensive fitness tracking experience.
Updating the firmware on Powerbeats Pro 2 is a straightforward process, similar to updating AirPods. Users can check the firmware version in the Beats app or iPhone settings after connecting the earbuds to power and Bluetooth.
