Forget AirPods Pro, the Powerbeats Fit are the perfect iPhone 17 Pro companion

Macworld

Apple might have owned the Beats brand since 2014, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at the lineup. Over the past few years, Apple has largely kept the Beats identity intact. Last summer, it gave the Beats Pill speaker a new lease on life, and earlier this year, it gave the Powerbeats Pro 2 a heart-rate sensor before its own AirPods Pro. This week, Apple’s Beats launched another member of the non-AirPods family, the Powerbeats Fit.

If Powerbeats Fit look familiar, that’s because they are. Beats is revamping the excellent Beats Fit Pro to bring them under the high-end Powerbeats brand. I had the chance to try out the new earbuds at an event held by Apple and Beats and walked away impressed.

A truly gym-friendly design

The first thing I noticed when I picked up the Powerbeats Fit was the wingtip. Beats says it’s 20 percent more flexible than before, and it’s definitely noticeable. The old Fit Pro wing was secure, but could feel somewhat uncomfortable after a long run. However, the new one has a little more give without sacrificing the locked-in stability that makes these great for intensive workouts.




The Powerbeats Fit’s new wingtips are softer and more comfortable in your ear.Foundry

The other immediately obvious change is the case. It’s about 20 percent smaller than the Beats Fit Pro case. The old case wasn’t huge, but it was a little unwieldy,  so having a more compact case means it will fit into tight pockets more easily.

That alone makes the Powerbeats Fit feel like a product I’d actually toss in a pocket on the way to the gym rather than cramming into a bag. The case is also IPX4-rated now (as are the earbuds themselves), so a little sweat and drizzle won’t be a worry.

The earbuds themselves haven’t drastically changed shape. They’re a bit slimmer and feel slightly better sculpted, but if you’ve used Fit Pro before, you’ll instantly recognize them.

Same solid core experience

Of course, Beats kept most of the features that users loved in the Fit Pro, including Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode. The sound quality is also quite similar – the Powerbeats Fit still have that classic punchy bass signature from Beats that is good for workout playlists, but the vocals and mids are also clear enough.

The sound was decent and familiar – not exactly a leap forward, but still satisfying for casual listening and for workouts. ANC blocked most of the surrounding event buzz, and Transparency Mode worked well for listening to my surroundings without having to remove the earbuds from my ears.




The new Powerbeats Fit case is a little smaller than before.Foundry

Just don’t expect a dramatically different sound from the Beats Fit Pro if you’re already familiar with it. ANC also feels pretty much the same. Powerbeats Fit are more about improving the design of both earbuds and the case.

When it comes to battery life, Beats says that Powerbeats Fit lasts up to 7 hours on a single charge. Combined with the charging case, they can reach up to 30 hours of use.

All the software features powered by Apple’s H1 chip remain intact, such as Adaptive EQ, Personalized Spatial Audio, automatic device switching, Audio Sharing, Find My, and Hey Siri. Android users still get quick pairing and a full-featured 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 needs to 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 didn’t bother me at all.

Beats includes the same four sizes of silicone tips, from extra-small to large, so getting a proper seal isn’t difficult. And because the acoustic profile relies on that seal for the best bass and ANC, finding the right tip still matters.




The new Powerbeats Fit have a deeper orange that matches the iPhone 17 Pro.Foundry

The color options available for Powerbeats Fit are more fun than ever: Jet Black, Gravel Gray, Power Pink, and the standout Spark Orange.

If you bought an iPhone 17 Pro in Cosmic Orange, the Spark Orange option perfectly matches the popular color option. I don’t think that’s an accident. Beats has a long history of matching its palettes to current iPhone colors, and it’s nice to see that synergy again.

The Power Pink option is bold too, while Gravel Gray feels subtle and understated if you’d rather not wear something flashy at the gym.

A new semi-pro option

With Powerbeats Pro 2 sitting above it as the true ear-hook model for hardcore athletes, Powerbeats Fit now clearly serves as the more compact, everyday-friendly sport option. They’re priced at $200, the same as the outgoing Fit Pro, so you’re not paying extra for the refinements.

For most people who run, bike, or just want buds that won’t budge on the treadmill, these strike a great balance: lighter and smaller than the Powerbeats Pro 2, but more secure than AirPods.




You don’t get wireless charging on the case, but battery life is a little better than the AirPods Pro 3.Foundry

Powerbeats Fit feels like what Beats Fit Pro always wanted to be: a sport-first earbud that’s more comfortable and easier to pocket, with a bold look. The sound hasn’t 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 need to rush out and upgrade unless the smaller case or softer fit solves a pain point for you. But if you’ve been on the fence, or you like the idea of matching your earbuds to your new orange iPhone, this update makes a strong case for giving Beats’ sport buds another look.

Powerbeats Fit is available now for $200 in the U.S., with in-store availability beginning October 2.