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Title: Powerbeats Pro vs. Powerbeats 3 Post by: HCK on May 15, 2019, 04:05:09 pm Powerbeats Pro vs. Powerbeats 3
Powerbeats Pro (https://www.macrumors.com/guide/powerbeats-pro/) launched last week, and the first orders are now in the hands of customers. We already did a Powerbeats Pro vs. AirPods hands-on comparison (https://www.macrumors.com/2019/05/09/powerbeats-pro-compared-to-airpods/), but we got requests for a video detailing how the new <!---->Powerbeats Pro<!----> compare to the previous-generation Powerbeats 3 Wireless Earphones. Today, we're taking a look at whether it's worth upgrading to the <!---->Powerbeats Pro<!----> if you've already got the Powerbeats 3, or if it's worth spending the extra cash if you're trying to decide between the two. <center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZEj-XL3pM-o" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><center>Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/macrumors?sub_confirmation=1) for more videos.</center> Powerbeats 3 have been around for a few years now, and are available at prices as low as $90, making them much more affordable than the $250 <!---->Powerbeats Pro<!---->, but feature wise, the <!---->Powerbeats Pro<!----> pack in a lot of functionality for that extra price increase. When it comes to design, the Powerbeats 3 and the <!---->Powerbeats Pro<!----> look rather similar as both feature earhooks to keep them in place along with in-ear earbuds that block out ambient noise, but the designs aren't quite the same. <img src="(http://cdn.macrumors.com/article-new/2019/05/powerbeats1-800x450.jpg)" alt="" width="800" height="450" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-692665" /> The Powerbeats 3 have an earhook that's angled upwards and an earpiece that's slightly shorter, while the <!---->Powerbeats Pro<!----> have an earhook that better contours to the ear. The biggest design difference is, of course, the cable that connects the Powerbeats 3 as these are not wire-free headphones like the <!---->Powerbeats Pro<!---->. A wire-free design is unquestionably better than a wired design in most situations, but a wire does make sure you're not going to lose a single earbud because they're tethered together. That might be preferable for some people. Both Powerbeats 3 and <!---->Powerbeats Pro<!----> are comfortable thanks to the four eartips in different sizes, but we preferred the fit and the feel of the <!---->Powerbeats Pro<!---->. The new angle just gives them a better fit in the ear, but there's not a huge amount of difference between the two. The earhooks on the <!---->Powerbeats Pro<!----> seem durable and more sturdy compared to the earhooks on the Powerbeats 3, and we didn't get the impression that they're going to be prone to breakage. <img src="(http://cdn.macrumors.com/article-new/2019/05/powerbeats3-800x450.jpg)" alt="" width="800" height="450" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-692666" /> Powerbeats 3 have a single physical button to power them on and off and they come with a remote on the wire for controlling media playback. <!---->Powerbeats Pro<!----> have no wire, so there are physical buttons on the earbuds themselves for controlling media and changing the volume. <!---->Powerbeats Pro<!----> come with a battery case that provides extra power, and while the Powerbeats 3 have a case, it's a flimsy little silicone thing that's only meant to give you a way to carry them around. Powerbeats 3 boast 12 hours of battery life while <!---->Powerbeats Pro<!----> are limited to nine hours, but you do get up to 24 hours of additional battery life with the aforementioned battery case. <img src="(http://cdn.macrumors.com/article-new/2019/05/powerbeatspro2-800x450.jpg)" alt="" width="800" height="450" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-692667" /> Powerbeats 3 have a W1 chip, much like the original AirPods (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/airpods/), which allows for simple device pairing and switching, but it's not as simple as the <!---->Powerbeats Pro<!----> pairing. With <!---->Powerbeats Pro<!---->, you just open the case near an Apple device and the pairing process is initiated, but with Powerbeats 3, you need to hold down the power button for five seconds. <!---->Powerbeats Pro<!----> have an updated H1 chip that allows for faster pairing than with the W1, hands-free "Hey Siri (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/siri/)" support (you need to push a button to use <!---->Siri<!----> on Powerbeats 3), and improved range, plus the <!---->Powerbeats Pro<!----> support Bluetooth 5 so you're going to get a better connection and longer range. As for sound, we thought the <!---->Powerbeats Pro<!----> sounded better than the Powerbeats 3 because they're more balanced. The Powerbeats 3 are bass heavy and that muddies the sound in some songs, a problem the <!---->Powerbeats Pro<!----> don't have. Powerbeats 3 don't sound bad, but they don't sound as good as <!---->Powerbeats Pro<!---->. <img src="(http://cdn.macrumors.com/article-new/2019/05/powerbeats4-800x450.jpg)" alt="" width="800" height="450" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-692668" /> Sweat and water resistance is going to be a major question, and it's not something that can be addressed properly without longer periods of testing and moisture exposure over time. <!---->Powerbeats Pro<!----> have an IPX4 water resistance rating, which means they've been tested and can hold up to splashes of water, while the Powerbeats 3 have no specific Ingress Protection rating. That suggests the <!---->Powerbeats Pro<!----> are going to better hold up to moisture than the Powerbeats 3, but it's going to take more testing and exposure to sweat over time to get a clearer picture of how durable these new earbuds are. There have been a lot of complaints about Powerbeats 3 failing due to sweat exposure, so hopefully this is a problem adequately addressed by the sweat and water resistance Apple promises in <!---->Powerbeats Pro<!---->. Overall, the Powerbeats 3 are fine headphones, but the <!---->Powerbeats Pro<!----> are better in almost every way. There's a huge price difference between the two, but if price isn't much of a factor and you're aiming for convenience, the <!---->Powerbeats Pro<!----> are the clear winner and are worth the purchase or the upgrade. <div class="linkback">Tag: Powerbeats Pro (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/powerbeats-pro/)</div> This article, "Powerbeats Pro vs. Powerbeats 3 (https://www.macrumors.com/2019/05/13/powerbeats-pro-vs-powerbeats-3/)" first appeared on MacRumors.com (https://www.macrumors.com) Discuss this article (https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/powerbeats-pro-vs-powerbeats-3.2181175/) in our forums <div class="feedflare"> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img> (http://feeds.macrumors.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?a=SgORrL68UTE:LmCP4cwPW_k:yIl2AUoC8zA) <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?d=6W8y8wAjSf4" border="0"></img> (http://feeds.macrumors.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?a=SgORrL68UTE:LmCP4cwPW_k:6W8y8wAjSf4) <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img> (http://feeds.macrumors.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?a=SgORrL68UTE:LmCP4cwPW_k:qj6IDK7rITs) </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MacRumors-Front/~4/SgORrL68UTE" height="1" width="1" alt=""/> Source: Powerbeats Pro vs. Powerbeats 3 (https://www.macrumors.com/2019/05/13/powerbeats-pro-vs-powerbeats-3/) |