Powerbeats Pro connection dropping for anyone like the reviews say?

[TJ82]

Two tech reviews saying the connection and dropout issues are quote 'woeful' and that you basically shouldn't buy these due to it.

https://appleinsider.com/articles/1...id-luxury-headphones-but-arent-without-issues

https://www.digitaltrends.com/headphone-reviews/powerbeats-pro-review/

I've only had mine less than a day and am prepared to return them if the connection starts dropping out, especially when outdoors, on the bike, running etc with the phone in my back jersey pocket or frame case, pocket or whatever.

Anyone having issues like the reviewers? Thing I loved about AirPods 1 the most was the connection speed and how solid it was.

 

[dmccombs]

Here's my individual feedback.

I have found no issues with dropping. I use them at work in an IT department where almost everyone has devices that could interfere. When connected to my 2016 Macbook Pro, Dell Laptop, or iphone XS, I can walk ~145 feet from these devices before the connection drops. When I come back with range, the Apple devices reconnect automatically. With the Dell Laptop, I have to tell it to reconnect (in Bluetooth Settings), it's not automatic.

I also cycle. I've used it on 3 rides so far, varying in length (1 to 3.5 hours). The connection has been solid, even on windy days, and during descents up to 42mph (that's the fastest I've gone with the PBPs in). I've had no problems with connections or with them being secure in my ears.

I wonder if it is worth exchanging your set. Maybe some of the PBPs have a defect? It sounds like your iphone (device you are connecting to) is fine since it works with your Airpods.

 

[TechDiva]

I've had mine for a couple of weeks now. I use them at work connected to my iPhone 8+ on a daily basis. I've used them while in the mall, grocery shopping, etc., to talk handsfree. I also use them in the gym (and on the trail at the park), connected to my watch 3. So, I've used them while walking, jogging, strength training, and cycling. I've never experienced any connection issues in any of those instances.

 

[TJ82]

Here's my individual feedback.

I have found no issues with dropping. I use them at work in an IT department where almost everyone has devices that could interfere. When connected to my 2016 Macbook Pro, Dell Laptop, or iphone XS, I can walk ~145 feet from these devices before the connection drops. When I come back with range, the Apple devices reconnect automatically. With the Dell Laptop, I have to tell it to reconnect (in Bluetooth Settings), it's not automatic.

I also cycle. I've used it on 3 rides so far, varying in length (1 to 3.5 hours). The connect has been solid, even on windy days, and during descents up to 42mph (that's the fastest I've gone with the PBPs in). I've had no problems with connections or with them being secure in my ears.

I wonder if it is worth exchanging your set. Maybe some of the PBPs have a defect? It sounds like your iphone (device you are connecting to) is fine since it works with your Airpods.

Excellent, really pleased it's stable under those speeds and wind conditions. Exactly what I'm looking for. Edited my post a bit, it sounded like I was having issues but I wasn't. I was just anticipating issues because two reviewers spoke out really strong about it.

 

[TJ82]

5 days now of constant use, included a pacey ride with phone in jersey pocket. No dropouts, not a single one! Super pleased so far, that was my main concern

 

[steve62388]

There can be connection problems for Bluetooth devices if you’re in a crowded frequency space. I sometimes get issues when in busy places like public transport.

 

[ascender]

6 days in now, have used them in loads of different environments and now had any issues at all.

 

[dgreening]

No drops here. I used them for conference calls (very long ones) and no issues at all. Also, I use them in the gym and just set my phone down and move all around the gym with no issues.

 

[ascender]

Regarding the AppleInsider review, I kind of agree with this paragraph, or at least I can see where they're coming from.

We didn't have the errant taps register like we sometimes got with the AirPods gestures. They were perfect for the gym, but otherwise not ideal. That leaves us with wanting AirPods outside workouts and Powerbeats Pro during workouts. In other words, we want both.

 

[pasadena]

No drops for me. My experience with other buds is that it depends a lot on your environment. In my previous neighborhoods, anything bluetooth would drop like crazy when near traffic lights (of all things). Where I live now, no issue. My Jaybird Runs still drop sometimes when I wear my phone on my lower back when running. The PBP had zero drop.

 

[jbarbuto]

Constant drops. Sometimes drops require full reset and connection back to devices. Other times, just cuts out. Do not experience this with my old air pods. Infuriating. Also, take one out of ear, it keeps playing even though out of ear. Thought they were supposed to work one at time, like my air pods. Battery died while not wearing because of this. Tried to return and exchange for new pair, but no one, including Apple store, has any in stock... I really hope that I just got a bad set.
Otherwise sound good and stay on ear. Have worn for 1 hour without any discomfort.

 

[Akrapovic]

No drops here. Many runs with them connected to my phone or the watch and it’s fine with both.

 

[b11051973]

Just posted this in the review thread. Would of put it here, but I just noticed this thread.

I've had mine since day one. I'm having some issues with connectivity to my iPhone.

They worked fine for a week and then the left earpiece quit connecting. I would put it back in the case, take it out, back in the case, blah, blah, blah and then it would work. I then discovered the black on black, flush mounted button in the case and reset them. This fixed my issue.

Then a week later, the right one stopped connecting. Another reset and I was back in business.

Couple days later and neither would connect. Reset and back in business.

Couple days later, the right one wouldn't connect. When I got it connected, my phone said it was at 0% charge and the case was at 13%, when it should have been in the 80s. So, for some reason, the right earpiece must have been powered up and using juice, while also pulling power from the case. Just used the left earpiece that day. Got the case and right earpiece charged, reset and back in business.

This morning, the left earpiece wouldn't connect. Reset and back in business.

Now, I use these thing every day. They work perfect like 4 out of 5 days I use them. It's just maddening they don't work every day. Has anyone heard complaints like this? I think I need to call tech support and get some replacements. They are working perfect for me other than these random connection issues.

 

[maximumsportz]

Adding my experience. Had them for about 3 weeks. I hit them gym with them almost every day in the week. Not one drop out or connection issues.

 

[pasadena]

Just posted this in the review thread. Would of put it here, but I just noticed this thread.

I've had mine since day one. I'm having some issues with connectivity to my iPhone.

They worked fine for a week and then the left earpiece quit connecting. I would put it back in the case, take it out, back in the case, blah, blah, blah and then it would work. I then discovered the black on black, flush mounted button in the case and reset them. This fixed my issue.

Then a week later, the right one stopped connecting. Another reset and I was back in business.

Couple days later and neither would connect. Reset and back in business.

Couple days later, the right one wouldn't connect. When I got it connected, my phone said it was at 0% charge and the case was at 13%, when it should have been in the 80s. So, for some reason, the right earpiece must have been powered up and using juice, while also pulling power from the case. Just used the left earpiece that day. Got the case and right earpiece charged, reset and back in business.

This morning, the left earpiece wouldn't connect. Reset and back in business.

Now, I use these thing every day. They work perfect like 4 out of 5 days I use them. It's just maddening they don't work every day. Has anyone heard complaints like this? I think I need to call tech support and get some replacements. They are working perfect for me other than these random connection issues.

Sounds like a defect. If you have an Apple Store close by, bring them in. Otherwise, call support.

 

[haruhiko]

Sometimes you have to leave the Apple ecosystem to understand what's a drop in connection.

My previous totally wireless earbuds (BeoPlay E8 2.0) had:
- constant dropouts for the left bud in random places - well, not really random, there are several places that I frequently go to which made the left earbud disconnect with unknown reasons, probably due to the Near-Field Magnetic Induction (NFMI) communication the earbuds uses;
- static sound while listening to Podcasts;
- huge background noise in voice calls. I needed to shout at the air to have the other side to hear me, like a maniac;

You know, to an extent that I started to blame the environment, why it is so noisy, why there is so much interference...the only thing the B&O support told me to do was to forget and re-pair the earbuds, and of course, it didn't work.

So yesterday I'm back to Apple with the PBP
- zero dropout and disconnection in all the places that caused my previous buds to disconnect (yes, I can locate them precisely now...)
- Perfect sound in listening to podcasts
- No complaint of background noise from the other side

Well, to be fair, the sound quality of the BeoPlay is superb and unmatched by the PBP.
But I really can't stand the disconnections and the voice quality. Very very disappointed.

 

[b11051973]

Sounds like a defect. If you have an Apple Store close by, bring them in. Otherwise, call support.

I do have Apple Stores nearby, but then I'd have to go to a mall.

Called tech support this morning and they are sending me a replacement. They've actually got much worse since my post. I for sure got a defective pair.

 

[b11051973]

I got my Powerbeats Pro replaced last week. My old pair really had problems. The left one basically quit charging. It was at 0% and I could not get it to charge no matter what I did.

The new pair are thankfully much better. I will say that in the 4 days I've had them, the left one didn't connect immediately twice. I had that problem with the old ones and would have to mess around with it for a couple minutes to get it to connect. These 2 times with the new ones, I just put the left one back in the case, close the case, open the case and then the left one is connected.

I'm still bummed by this because I can't just take the earphones out of the case and leave. I need to test that they will connect before I leave the case behind. Both times I had the issue with the new one, I tried pressing the button on the left one and it did nothing. So, I seem to need the case to get things working properly.

 

[gadgetfreaky]

yeah - every now and again one will connect while the other one one. usually just placing them back in the charger will fix this but yeah it's a problem. hopefully fixable with software update.

Just posted this in the review thread. Would of put it here, but I just noticed this thread.

I've had mine since day one. I'm having some issues with connectivity to my iPhone.

They worked fine for a week and then the left earpiece quit connecting. I would put it back in the case, take it out, back in the case, blah, blah, blah and then it would work. I then discovered the black on black, flush mounted button in the case and reset them. This fixed my issue.

Then a week later, the right one stopped connecting. Another reset and I was back in business.

Couple days later and neither would connect. Reset and back in business.

Couple days later, the right one wouldn't connect. When I got it connected, my phone said it was at 0% charge and the case was at 13%, when it should have been in the 80s. So, for some reason, the right earpiece must have been powered up and using juice, while also pulling power from the case. Just used the left earpiece that day. Got the case and right earpiece charged, reset and back in business.

This morning, the left earpiece wouldn't connect. Reset and back in business.

Now, I use these thing every day. They work perfect like 4 out of 5 days I use them. It's just maddening they don't work every day. Has anyone heard complaints like this? I think I need to call tech support and get some replacements. They are working perfect for me other than these random connection issues.

 

[popeyesm]

Just posted this in the review thread. Would of put it here, but I just noticed this thread.

I've had mine since day one. I'm having some issues with connectivity to my iPhone.

They worked fine for a week and then the left earpiece quit connecting. I would put it back in the case, take it out, back in the case, blah, blah, blah and then it would work. I then discovered the black on black, flush mounted button in the case and reset them. This fixed my issue.

Then a week later, the right one stopped connecting. Another reset and I was back in business.

Couple days later and neither would connect. Reset and back in business.

Couple days later, the right one wouldn't connect. When I got it connected, my phone said it was at 0% charge and the case was at 13%, when it should have been in the 80s. So, for some reason, the right earpiece must have been powered up and using juice, while also pulling power from the case. Just used the left earpiece that day. Got the case and right earpiece charged, reset and back in business.

This morning, the left earpiece wouldn't connect. Reset and back in business.

Now, I use these thing every day. They work perfect like 4 out of 5 days I use them. It's just maddening they don't work every day. Has anyone heard complaints like this? I think I need to call tech support and get some replacements. They are working perfect for me other than these random connection issues.

[doublepost=1562091032][/doublepost]I am having very similar issues with my iPhone. Suddenly after working pretty well for the the first month I now have trouble getting them to work during calls even though they will work for music playback. Also had issues with one earpiece cutting out. Resetting the connection helps but only for a while.

 

[DesertSilver]

I've been experiencing various connection issues with my PBP with my iPhone X and iPad Pro 11". I take many calls throughout the day for work and in between calls, I listen to stuff and watch videos on my iPad. At least a couple times per day, the connection to the PBP will drop and the headphones won't show up in the Airplay menu on either of my devices. I have to go into Settings > Bluetooth, where it would show Not Connected, and manually connect them back up.

Doesn't happen often enough to make me hate the PBPs but annoying nonetheless.

I have the latest non-beta version of iOS on all my devices.

 

[b11051973]

I ended up getting mine replaced. The left one died all together. Wouldn't charge or connect.

Had the replacements for a couple weeks. Every couple days, I still have an issue with them connecting. Haven't had to reset them. Usually putting them in the case and taking it out fixes it. Just really frustrating that these things aren't 100% reliable, or even 90% reliable. You can't take them out of the case and walk off without making sure they will connect.

Also, went into the Airplay/Bluetooth device menu on the Music app and noticed the left earpiece was connected. Even though I had put the earpieces back in their case a couple hours prior. I guess the left earpiece wasn't sitting right in the case for it to connect to the case. Sure looked like it was in there fine.

I like the Powerbeats Pro, but they are just unreliable enough to taint my view on them.

 

[haruhiko]

Weird. Never had any connection problem for mine, and I go to all sorts of places including crowded subway trains with a hundred people with me in the same car.

 

[timb12]

I got mine at the end of may. Never had a single issue, but this week I've been having major connection issues, havent been able to use the headphones. I can pair them, but they lose connection completely after about 5 seconds. Theres also a weird humming sound coming from the left one when I push the buttons. Ive tried resetting the headphones and my phone dozens of times, letting the batteries completely drain and die, and their connection troubleshooting steps, I cant seem to fix this. Thinking of taking them in to the genius bar tomorrow to see what they say.

EDIT: Ok, so I downloaded their official beats firmware updater software for windows, plugged in my case to the PC and it detected the headphones. The first thing it does is ask for the serial number to register. I did that, but it just takes you to the web FAQ. When I clicked back to the original screen, I dont know if it updated the firmware or not, but at the bottom of the screen it said "you are up to date" and then my headphones magically started working again. This is still very strange that I could not reset my headphones for days, but just happy they're back to normal now.

 

[Closingracer]

I got my pair in early July and never had any issues at all.