Apple introduced heart rate monitoring to the newly announced Powerbeats Pro 2 as part of the company’s efforts to continue pushing health-focused features to a bevy of products. However, with the AirPods Pro 2 now supporting Hearing Aid, it is strange that the company brought something unique to a non-AirPods-branded pair of wireless earbuds instead of waiting for the AirPods Pro 3. Fortunately, the latter will still be treated with heart rate monitoring, but potential buyers will have to wait for months to try it.
Heart rate monitoring on the AirPods Pro 3 will likely be based on the Apple Watch’s heart rate sensing technology and could remain unchanged from the feature present on the Powerbeats Pro 2
With the Powerbeats Pro 2 now officially available for $249.99, what remains to be seen is when the AirPods Pro 3 will arrive. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, those who want to try out heart rate monitoring immediately will have to settle for the Powerbeats Pro 2 because Apple’s flagship wireless earbuds will take a few months to arrive. It is possible that the California-based giant intentionally brought this feature to its Powerbeats Pro 2 because the target market for these earbuds will provide the company with the necessary metrics to gather useful data and improve heart rate monitoring in terms of accuracy.
Apple has mentioned that the feature on the Powerbeats Pro 2 functions through the use of LED optical sensors that pulse at over 100 times a second to measure a wearer’s heart rate through their blood flow. This health-focused addition is based on the Apple Watch’s heart rate sensing technology, with the company stating that if someone decides to keep the smartwatch on their wrist and the Powerbeats Pro 2 attached to their ears at the same time, apps will automatically switch to the Apple Watch for heart rate data.
No additional information was mentioned about the AirPods Pro 3 in the latest update, but previous rumors have claimed that the upcoming wireless earbuds will support better Active Noise Cancellation than the AirPods Pro 2, hinting at the arrival of Apple’s custom H3 chip. It is possible that Apple makes an announcement during the iPhone 17 event, but we have to wait a while for confirmation. For now, if you want to experience the superior audio quality coupled with heart rate sensing, you can grab a Powerbeats Pro 2 pair from Amazon for $249.99 and pick from one of four color options.
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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