iOS 26 Adds New Features to Powerbeats Pro 2

[MacRumors]

Apple released Powerbeats Pro 2 in February as its first earbuds with heart rate monitoring, and iOS 26 will further enhance that functionality.

Many of the improvements will bring the Powerbeats Pro 2 in line with the new AirPods Pro 3, which also feature heart rate monitoring.

Starting with iOS 26, the Powerbeats Pro 2's heart rate monitoring feature will work with Apple's Fitness app on the iPhone, according to a Beats spokesperson. With the earbuds, you will be able to track your heart rate and calories burned across 50 different workout types in the Fitness app, with no Apple Watch required for this.

Apple Fitness+ subscribers with Powerbeats Pro 2 will be able to view real-time performance metrics directly on their iPhone, such as heart rate, calories burned, and the Burn Bar, without wearing an Apple Watch.

Here are more improvements coming to Powerbeats Pro 2 with iOS 26, according to Beats:

• A single Powerbeats Pro 2 earbud can be used for heart rate monitoring during workouts.
• Powerbeats Pro 2 count steps taken when your iPhone is not on you.
• Powerbeats Pro 2 and Apple Watch can simultaneously provide heart rate data.
• Siri Interactions on Powerbeats Pro 2 will let you nod your head yes, or shake your head no, when Siri asks if you want to answer an incoming call, hear a text message, manage notifications, and more.
• A new algorithm offers faster heart rate reading.
• A notification will prompt you to potentially improve the fit of your Powerbeats Pro 2 to improve heart rate reading.

The latter two improvements will extend to Android.

iOS 26 will be released on Monday, September 15, and a corresponding Powerbeats Pro 2 firmware update with these enhancements will likely be released on the same day. Both the Powerbeats Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 are regularly priced at $249, with the former offering a more fitness-focused design with earhooks for a secure fit.

Article Link: iOS 26 Adds New Features to Powerbeats Pro 2

 

[MedRed]

Worthwhile improvements

 

[bluecoast]

Nice! I love it when Apple does stuff like this.

 

[btkadams]

Would be nice to have live translation as well.

 

[AdeFowler]

I wish they would add the hearing aid functionality. I can’t get AirPods in my ears.

 

[brendan_]

Can you listen to music and use the HR feature at the same time? Can you use the HR feature with machines directly, when connected to iOS? I'm hoping some of this stuff is better with the AirPods Pro 3.

 

[Sticman]

Can you listen to music and use the HR feature at the same time? Can you use the HR feature with machines directly, when connected to iOS? I'm hoping some of this stuff is better with the AirPods Pro 3.

Exactly my question. I'm glad they are fixing some of the obvious shortfalls of the Powerbeats, but the existing problem of not being able to listen to music from the iphone when using the HR feature with a machine has been a major, major issue.

 

[BGPL]

But in order to see my live HR and other metrics, I need fitness+ or an apple watch. With an iPhone you just get to look at your stats when you're done. This is another apple feature which serves to drive people toward one of their products.

 

[brendan_]

Exactly my question. I'm glad they are fixing some of the obvious shortfalls of the Powerbeats, but the existing problem of not being able to listen to music from the iphone when using the HR feature with a machine has been a major, major issue.

Right?! I own AirPods Pro 2 and I purchased the Powerbeats as soon as they launched, but quickly returned them for those shortcomings.

There's room for AirPods Pro equivalent with ear hook in my life...AirPods are guaranteed to fall out of my ears during certain exercises. However, the Powerbeats were also lacking in terms of audio quality (fitment issue maybe) and also transparency wasn't as good, imo. I'm hoping the new tips improve the stability during workouts, for me.

 

[Sticman]

Right?! I own AirPods Pro 2 and I purchased the Powerbeats as soon as they launched, but quickly returned them for those shortcomings.

There's room for AirPods Pro equivalent with ear hook in my life...AirPods are guaranteed to fall out of my ears during certain exercises. However, the Powerbeats were also lacking in terms of audio quality (fitment issue maybe) and also transparency wasn't as good, imo. I'm hoping the new tips improve the stability during workouts, for me.

Totally agree on all that. The crappy sound quality on the Powerbeats I can live with as I only use them when working out.

 

[brendan_]

Totally agree on all that. The crappy sound quality on the Powerbeats I can live with as I only use them when working out.

I think I could get over the sound quality, especially if the HR feature was more capable.

I was hoping it would solve a personal issue I have where I'm trying to log HR via my Concept 2 rower, to my logbook, while rowing with Fitness+. I only have this issue because Apple hasn't enabled Bluetooth FTMS for rowing on Fitness+. I just want all the stats, everywhere (Apple Health & Concept 2), but if I connect Concept 2 to Apple Health, my workouts are doubled up with Fitness+. Have to resort to a chest HR monitor instead, which is less comfortable.

 

[RSmith2023]

Do these auto-magically update in the background too?

I’ve never understood why Apple won’t let you initiate an update to these just as you can with the Apple Watch

 

[Astuces iOS]

Ok that’s the first time I see Apple adding that much of new features to a beats earbuds… Good move Apple !

 

[titusm]

I always wear an Apple Watch, so there was no use for HR monitoring with beats Pro yet. Now watch and beats can both read HR simultaneously?? What is the benefit here?

 

[svish]

Good to know the changes. The color is nice. But I would prefer to buy AirPods only.

 

[Sticman]

I always wear an Apple Watch, so there was no use for HR monitoring with beats Pro yet. Now watch and beats can both read HR simultaneously?? What is the benefit here?

There is a school of thought that the HR data coming from the ear can be more accurate than that off of the wrist. So, if nothing else, in theory, the readings would be more accurate.