Powerbeats Pro, the best exercise helmet for Android?



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I have never been a fan of Beats headphones, even after Apple's purchase of the company. The sound has never been as good for me as Bose equivalents, especially the QC35, for listening above the ear. Until the release of the AirPods, I did not need Apple headphones in my dual iOS / Android life. But here we are with Apple's new $ 250 Powerbeats Pro …

"AirPods Sport"

These little AirPod things have reinvented the wireless headset, providing users with a feature-rich weightlessness experience. While most people enjoy the sound quality they produce in the revolutionary package, the AirPods fall into my ears almost immediately, as do the Apple EarPods that preceded them.

I've tried putting small silicone bumps on the AirPod tips and these have helped them stay better – and to sound better because they were well stuck in my ears. But I should remove the silicone because they do not fit in the case of the charger.

And of course, I'll end up losing the silicone buttons … and I should buy more.

I finally gave my AirPods and I settled for my Bose QC35s. But we are in the summer and these earmuffs are starting to get hot in the gym and when mowing the grass.

To witness it:

I also tried the Samsung Galaxy Buds, which comes off almost as easily. Weird ear holes I guess. Google Pixel Buds had such poor reviews, I even tried to try them out and setup them with thread.

I've therefore decided to try the PowerBeats Pro and Apple has provided a pair for this review. This review is specifically designed for the use of Android. These seem to me quite logical in that I use Apple and Android phones, especially iPhone X and Pixel 3XL, in my daily life.

You should check out Zac's complete review and Jeff's video on 9to5mac for in-depth analysis of usage by Apple users. Here's how they work with Android.

Big load case

As others have already noted, the charge case you get is bulky, even monstrous, compared to the tiny suitcase that houses / charges AirPods or even Galaxy Buds. This is mainly due to the air space needed for the wrapping silicone. I think that Apple could have done a little better here with a narrower package / less air and would expect to see this size smaller in later versions. Until then, you can insert some SD cards or other nicks into the extra space.

In the current state of things, it is not easy to bring the buds into the case, but it can be learned very quickly. With the casing having the size and opening mechanism of a large wedding ring box, you have the impression of being offered every time you wear a helmet.

Powerbeats Pro Charging Box

Lightning charge?

Apple's MacBooks, and more recently its professional iPads, have recently switched to USB-C and I imagined that they would also be reloaded via the same USB-C that charges most of my current devices. However, Apple has chosen Lightning here, which is not a big deal for Apple users, but for Android users, you will need to bring an extra cable. A nice black cable with USB-A connector is provided in the case and works perfectly. The case is powered on and PowerBeats is charged for 9 hours. However, I think many Android users will not appreciate this design decision. A USB-C to Lightning adapter may be needed.

Frankly, Apple could recharge wireless before giving up Lightning and, frankly, a USB-C Qi adapter is as cheap as a USB-C to Lightning adapter, so do not hesitate, Apple.

Sound

As I said, I've never been a big fan of Beats' sound profile, but after hearing a bunch of other wireless in-ear buds, I must say that the sound of PowerBeats Pro is also good that of all the wireless buttons I've heard, including even some high-end AKG buds that I've used in the past. If we talk about pure sound, I would always choose the Bose QC35, especially for noise canceling applications, but for the exercises, I can not think of a better option for getting quality sound. As with most Beats products, bass is well represented. In case of complaint on my part, I find the mediums insufficient compared to what seems to be a high-end slightly overcompensating. YMMV.

Fit, wear and feel

Powerbeats Pro Android closely

I can not be more impressed by the way the PowerBeats Pro disappears in weight, a few seconds after installation. In fact, on more than one occasion, I left them on my ears for hours after I stopped listening because I had forgotten their presence. Because of the wraparound design of the stand, you do not feel the fatigue of the earholes you see in truly wireless designs and I really feel that I could wear them all day long. The Powerbeats Pro comes with four different sized tips, but the default option worked well for me. I say "somehow" because apparently, my holes in the ears are monstrous in nature since everything else falls.

The Powerbeats Pros are great for taking a call on the go or on a walk. In fact, for me, this is the best possible solution for mobile calls and instead of looking like a Bluetooth headset, you seem to be on the way to the gym, which is slightly more socially acceptable. They even work great with my reading glasses above) or a bike helmet.

Controls

Android Powerbeats Pro Controls

The location of the volume control is not obvious, but it is easy to learn with a toggle button. The "b" button stops and starts the music. You also have additional commands to tap declining calls or enable Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. A double-click on one of the Beats buttons will advance the tracks a triple-click to the back.

disadvantages

Beats-airbuddyThese have some disadvantages, and one of them, in particular, could be considered "design" by Apple because they would obviously prefer that you use them with iOS.

  • Not easy to clog your ears compared to AirPods or even over-the-ear headphones. Sliding around the ears becomes easier and faster with time.
  • The sound is not as good as on the ears. While this is not surprising, it is probably the number one reason not to reach them during casual listening.
  • $ 250 (!!), it is a lot of money. I think these will start to drop once the initial demand is gone, partly because Beats has been a little more flexible in pricing than other Apple lines.
  • Unlike iOS, you can not get battery reading on Android for Powerbeats Pro without using a third-party utility such as AirBattery and I found that it was at best inconsistent. AirBattery is designed for AirPods, but since Powerbeats Pro uses the same H1 chip, they work with the software. There are other apps in the store, but AirBattery seems to receive the best reviews and will soon be updated to officially support Powerbeats Pro.

pack

After about 2 weeks of use, I'm addicted to Powerbeats Pro. And it's not only when I use iOS, I also see that I use them so often on Android. I still prefer my QC35s for pure sound and air travel, but the light weight, the design, the quality sound and the sounds that do not fall from the ears in the fountain make Powerbeats Pro an ideal tool for the first time. training, mowing the lawn or other active activities. .

Powerbeats Pro $ 250 Amazon, B & H, Best Buy, Apple in black. Other colors to come.


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