(ThyBlackMan.com) Apple Powerbeats Pro and AirPods 2 are finally here and both are good. Everyone loves a good pair of earphones; it’s a must-have accessory for smartphone users. The travelers prefer long battery life, better noise cancellation, the gym-goers want water and sweat resistant design, while the audiophiles want excellent sound quality. So, if you have to choose one over the other, which one should you choose and why? This article will answer your questions.
- Price
Much like other premium wireless earphones in the market, Apple’s Powerbeats Pro come at a higher price of $249.95. The earbuds come in four color options sporting a totally different design. With a devotion to creating a true iPhone companion, Apple introduced AirPods 2 that cost $159 (with charging case) and are available only in white color.
Already have a budget in mind? The AirPods 2 offers the same hardware power of the H1 chip which is also available in the Powerbeats Pro.
Why pay more?
If you have used the original AirPods, the new AirPods offer the same sound. Powerbeats Pro, on the other hand, use a different design that makes noise isolation possible to a greater extent. The in-ear design can easily block out noise which is something AirPods 2 users are going to miss.
Why not?
Because AirPods 2 are cheaper than the Powerbeats Pro. One more advantage of having AirPods 2 is they are small and are truly wireless. Fast charging works a bit better on AirPods 2 when compared with the Powerbeats Pro.
- Design
There are no changes in the design of the second-generation AirPods. Made from plastic, the AirPods come in a standard size and fit easily. There are two major drawbacks here. First, the pair of earphones doesn’t offer sound isolation or noise cancellation features. Second, it is so small and has no support, that you cannot use them during a workout session. For joggers and gym-goers, Apple AirPods 2 is not the right product.
Apple Powerbeats Pro come in a better design sporting earhooks so that you can use them when running or exercising. The Powerbeats Pro also come in water-resistant design so that you can use them during intense workout sessions. The earphones also include four ear tips of different sizes so that you can customize them for perfect fitting. There are four color options available including black, navy blue, ivory, and moss.
- Audio Quality
Apple Powerbeats Pro is coming in May, so based on the specifications, it’s hard to comment on the sound quality of the earphones. If you have tried the previously launched earphones from the Powerbeats series, you may have noticed that noise cancellation on those earphones is pretty good. The biggest issue with Apple’s AirPods is that even if they fit perfectly in your ears, you will still hear the noise if you’re in a crowded place. That’s also a reason why daily commuters who use public transport didn’t appreciate the design of AirPods.
Apple Powerbeats Pro feature in-ear design with hooks, so we can expect better noise isolation from these earphones. Another advantage of choosing the Powerbeats Pro over AirPods 2 is the control mechanism. The Powerbeats Pro feature volume and track control buttons on each of the earplug, but if you’re an AirPods user, you have to tap the earphone as it supports gesture control and voice commands.
- Best use cases
Just two statements from Apple will clear all your doubts about the best use cases for Apple Powerbeats Pro and AirPods 2. Apple says its Powerbeats Pro earphones are “built for elite athletes.” The earphones are designed for sweat and water resistance, and also the pair is capable of handling a lot of rough use.
Apple AirPods 2 are for people who want “wireless headphone experience.” Nothing more and nothing less than that. Both Powerbeats Pro and AirPods are different in terms of design, sound quality, and use cases, but there are some similarities that can make it hard for you to choose one over the other.
The AirPods 2 and Powerbeats Pro come equipped with Apple’s H1 chip. They both support Hey Siri functionality and can be paired with your Apple Watch so that you won’t need to carry your iPhone or iPad everywhere. Despite having several differences, they perform equally well with compatible Apple devices.
If you need an earphone which you can use during your morning walks and also before the bedtime, Powerbeats Pro is the right product for you. Apple AirPods 2 feature the same design as the first-generation AirPods, so you probably know that the earphones fall out of ears if you are careless.
- Hardware Power
As mentioned earlier, both the earphones are powered by Apple’s latest H1 chip, the major difference in their hardware power exists in the form of battery life. According to Apple, the battery of AirPods 2 lasts for up to 5 hours on a single charge. Battery life shouldn’t be an issue if you carry the charging case. You can get more out of your AirPods 2 because the charging case can give your earphones a significant boost – more than 24 hours of battery life.
Keep your AirPods 2 in the charging case for 15 minutes and your earphones won’t need a charge for the next 3 hours. Apple Powerbeats Pro, on the other hand, deliver up to 9 hours of listening time. The fast charging for 5 minutes can add 1.5 hours of battery life.
Note that Apple Powerbeats Pro is due for launch in May, so its functionality and actual performance remains to be seen. If you’ve used the first-generation AirPods then the AirPods 2 are not different in terms of sound quality.
Staff Writer; Corey Shaw
Have any Tech Tips? News? Hit up our Tech Guru at; CoreyS@ThyBlackMan.com