Overview

• The Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds, released on February 11, are Apple’s first audio product with heart rate monitoring functionality.
• Users and reviewers report that the earbuds cannot simultaneously play music from an iPhone and track heart rate on gym equipment via Bluetooth, a limitation confirmed by Apple.
• Heart rate tracking performance is more reliable on Android devices, while issues with iOS apps, including Strava and Zwift, have been widely reported.
• Critics also highlight inaccuracies in heart rate readings, with data dropouts observed during various workout activities.
• Despite Apple subjecting the earbuds to extensive testing, the real-world functionality falls short of expectations, particularly for athletes using Apple’s ecosystem.