Apple may have owned the Beats brand since 2014, but you wouldn’t know that by looking at the lineup. Over the past few years, Apple has largely kept Beat’s identity intact. Last summer, the Apple Beats pill speaker gave a new lease on life, and earlier this year it gave Powerbeats Pro 2 a heart rate sensor before its own AirPods Pro. This week, Apple’s beats launched the newest member of the non-airpods family, Powerbeats Fit.
If Powerbeats fits to look familiar, it’s because they are. Beats are updated on the excellent Beats Fit Pro to bring them under the high-end powerbeats brand. I had the chance to try the new earplugs at an event held by Apple and Beats and went away impressed.
A truly gymnastics -friendly design
The first thing I noticed when I picked up the Powerbeats Passing was wingtip. Beats say it’s 20 percent more flexible than before, and it’s definitely noticeable. The old fit -pro wing was safe, but could feel somewhat uncomfortable after a long run. However, the new one has a little more giving without sacrificing the enclosed stability that makes these good for intensive training.
Powerbeats Fit’s new wingtips are softer and more comfortable in your ear.
Foundry
The second immediate obvious change is the case. That’s about 20 percent less than the Beats FIT PRO case. The old case was not huge, but it was a bit unmanageable, so having a more compact case means that it more easily fits into tight pockets.
It alone makes Powerbeats fit to feel like a product I actually threw in a pocket on my way to the gym instead of stuffing in a bag. The case is also IPX4 classified now (like the earplugs themselves), so a little sweat and drip is not a concern.
The earplugs themselves have not drastically changed shape. They are a little leaner and feel a little better sculpted, but if you have used Fit Pro before, you will immediately recognize them.
Same solid core experience
Of course, Beats held most of the features that users loved in Fit Pro, including active noise reduction and transparency mode. The sound quality is also quite the same – Powerbeats Passing still has the classic punchy bass signature from Beats, which is good for training space lists, but the vocals and mids are also ready enough.
The sound was decent and well known – not exactly a leap forward, but still satisfying for casual listening and for training. The ANC blocked most of the surrounding event -builder, and transparency mode worked well to listen to my surroundings without having to remove the earbuds from my ears.
The new Powerbeats Fit Case is slightly smaller than before.
Foundry
Just don’t expect a dramatic other sound from the Beats Fit Pro if you are already familiar with it. The ANC also feels pretty much the same. Powerbeats FIT is more about improving the design of both earplugs and the case.
When it comes to the life of the battery, Beats says Powerbeats fits up to 7 hours on a single charge. Combined with the charging case, they can reach up to 30 hours of use.
All software features driven by Apple’s H1 chip remain intact, such as adaptive EQ, personal spatial sound, automatic device change, sound sharing, find my and hey siri. Android users still get fast mating and a fully equipped Beats app with FIT tests and controls.
For me, the only downside is that Powerbeats FIT Case still lacks wireless charging support, so all charging must be done with a USB-C cable.
Comfort and style
Comfort is the real story here. The new wingtip material makes a surprisingly big difference during movement. I ran on the treadmill for a while and tried a few jumps and the earbuds didn’t move in my ears. And unlike the Beats Fit Pro, the new softer wing not bothered me at all.
Beats include the same four sizes of silicone tips, from extra small to large, so it is not difficult to get a proper seal. And because the acoustic profile depends on the seal for the best bass and ANC, it still means the right tip.
The new PowerBeats Pass form has a deeper orange that matches the iPhone 17 Pro.
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The color options available to Powerbeats -Pasform are more fun than ever: jet black, gravel gray, power pink and the prominent spark orange.
If you bought an iPhone 17 -Pro in Cosmic Orange, the Spark Orange setting perfectly matches the popular color setting. I don’t think it’s an accident. Beats have a long history of matching its palettes to current iPhone colors, and it’s great to see that synergy again.
The Power Pink option is also bold, while gravel gray feels subtle and underrated if you would rather not carry anything flashy at the gym.
A new semi-pro option
With Powerbeats Pro 2, which sits above it, like the true ear-hook model for hardcore athletes, Powerbeats is now clearly acting as the more compact, everyday-friendly sports opportunity. They are priced at $ 200, the same as the outgoing FIT -Pro, so you don’t pay extra for the improvements.
For most people who ride, bike or just want buds that don’t want to bend on the treadmill, these get a great balance: lighter and smaller than Powerbeats Pro 2, but safer than AirPods.
You do not get wireless charging of the case, but the life of the battery is slightly better than AirPods Pro 3.
Foundry
Powerbeats Fit feels like what Beats Fit Pro has always wanted to be: a sports-first earbud that is more comfortable and easier to pocket, with a cool look. The sound has not changed and that’s fine – it was already good enough for the target audience.
If you already own Fit Pro and are happy with them, you probably don’t have to hurry out and upgrade unless the minor case or softer fit resolves a pain point for you. But if you’ve been on the fence or you like the idea of ​​matching your earplugs to your new Orange iPhone, this update makes a strong case to give beats’ sports buds another look.
Powerbeats Fit is now available for $ 200 in the US, with accessibility in the store from October 2nd.