The Powerbeats Pro 2, hailed as a revolutionary workout companion, has been found to have a significant limitation: it cannot track heart rate and play music simultaneously when connected to gym equipment. This issue was first pointed out by YouTuber DC Rainmaker in his review of the earbuds, and has since been confirmed by Apple.

This limitation is particularly counterintuitive, as the whole idea behind adding heart rate tracking to headphones is to consolidate workout peripherals. Users are forced to choose between tracking their heart rate and listening to music, which may not be the most ideal workout experience.

Furthermore, the heart rate feature on the Powerbeats Pro 2 is not as reliable on iOS as it is on Android. Currently, only seven iOS apps are compatible with heart rate tracking on the earbuds, including Runna, Nike Run Club, Open, YaoYao, Slopes, Peloton, and Ladder. Other popular fitness apps like Strava, Zwift, and even Apple's own Fitness Plus are not compatible, although Apple has expressed hopes to expand the partner list in the future.

In contrast, the Powerbeats Pro 2 works seamlessly with any Android app that supports a Bluetooth heart rate tracker. This disparity has led some to speculate that Apple's desire for a seamless ecosystem experience may be contributing to these limitations.

The Powerbeats Pro 2's heart rate feature has also been criticized for its lack of flexibility. When used with an Apple Watch, the Watch's heart rate data takes precedence, even if the user prefers to use the earbuds' tracking capabilities. This limitation does not apply to other third-party headphones with heart rate tracking, such as the Sennheiser Momentum Sport or chest straps.

These limitations and compatibility issues have led some to question the overall usefulness of the Powerbeats Pro 2's heart rate feature, particularly for athletes who rely on Apple Watches or prefer a more flexible workout setup.

For a comprehensive review of the Powerbeats Pro 2, including its music playback capabilities and overall performance, stay tuned for our in-depth analysis.