When Beats Powerbeats Pro launched in 2019 at $249, they set a new standard for premium sport earbuds. Fast forward to 2023, and the Soundcore P40i arrived at $70, challenging assumptions about what budget earbuds can deliver. Let's explore how these options stack up today and help you make the right choice for your needs.
The wireless earbud market has matured significantly since 2019. What was once cutting-edge has become standard, and features like active noise cancellation (which blocks outside noise using microphones and sound waves) have trickled down from premium to budget offerings. Meanwhile, battery life has improved dramatically across the board.
Today's wireless earbuds need to excel in multiple areas:
The Powerbeats Pro deliver what I'd call a "professional fitness" sound signature. The bass is punchy but controlled, vocals are crystal clear, and there's enough treble detail to make music engaging without becoming harsh during workouts. After testing hundreds of earbuds, I can say they still hold up remarkably well in 2024, especially for their intended use case.
The P40i takes a different approach, offering a more customizable experience. Their 11mm drivers (the speakers that produce sound) actually produce more bass than the Powerbeats, and the included app lets you fine-tune the sound to your preferences. While they might not match the Powerbeats' refinement, they offer impressive performance for the price.
Here's where the design philosophies really diverge. The Powerbeats Pro's ear hooks might look intimidating, but they provide unmatched stability. I've worn them through everything from running to rock climbing, and they simply don't budge. The downside? They're bulkier to carry and take a few seconds longer to put on.
The P40i uses a more traditional in-ear design that's quicker to pop in and out. While comfortable for daily use and light exercise, they won't match the Powerbeats' stability during intense workouts. That said, they're more compact and easier to carry.
Battery technology has come a long way since 2019. The Powerbeats Pro's 9 hours per charge (with 24 hours total including the case) was impressive then, but the P40i now offers 12 hours per charge and a whopping 60 hours total with the case. Both support fast charging, but the P40i's case adds a clever phone stand feature that's surprisingly useful for video calls or watching content.
The Powerbeats Pro shine in the Apple ecosystem thanks to their H1 chip, which enables:
The P40i counters with:
If you're serious about working out, the Powerbeats Pro remain hard to beat. Their secure fit, physical buttons (easier to use while moving), and sweat resistance make them ideal for everything from running to weightlifting.
The P40i excels as an everyday companion. The noise cancellation helps on commutes, the long battery life means less charging, and the multipoint connection lets you switch seamlessly between your phone and laptop.
Neither product is specifically designed for home theater use, but both can work well in this context. The Powerbeats Pro offer lower latency (less audio delay) with Apple TV, while the P40i's stand feature makes it easier to watch content on your phone. However, for dedicated home theater use, you might want to consider other options specifically designed for that purpose.
In 2024, the value equation is fascinating. The Powerbeats Pro often sell for around $180 now, while the P40i typically stays close to its $70 price point. The question isn't just about the price difference, but what you're getting for your money.
The Powerbeats Pro justify their premium with:
The P40i offers exceptional value through:
The wireless earbud market of 2024 offers amazing choices at both ends of the price spectrum. The Powerbeats Pro remain a premium choice for fitness enthusiasts and Apple users, while the P40i shows just how far budget earbuds have come, offering features that would have seemed impossible at this price point just a few years ago.
Your choice ultimately depends on your specific needs and use cases. For pure workout performance and Apple integration, the Powerbeats Pro still lead. For everyday versatility and value, the P40i is hard to beat. Either way, you're getting capable earbuds that will serve you well in their intended roles.
| Beats Powerbeats Pro - $249 | Soundcore P40i - $70 |
|---|---|
| Battery Life - Determines how often you need to charge | |
| 9 hours (24 total with case) | 12 hours (60 total with case) |
| Water Resistance - Important for workouts and durability | |
| IPX4 (splash resistant) | IPX5 (better water protection) |
| Fit Style - Crucial for activity level and comfort | |
| Ear hooks (extremely secure, ideal for sports) | Traditional in-ear (comfortable but less secure) |
| Noise Cancellation - Affects isolation from environment | |
| None (passive isolation only) | Active ANC (adjustable noise blocking) |
| Device Integration - Important for seamless usage | |
| Apple H1 chip (superior iOS experience) | Standard Bluetooth (works well with all devices) |
| Sound Customization - Allows tailoring to preferences | |
| Fixed tuning (well-balanced but not adjustable) | App with EQ and presets (highly customizable) |
| Charging Case - Convenience features matter | |
| Standard case (compact) | 2-in-1 case with phone stand |
| Controls - Affects ease of use during activities | |
| Physical buttons (more reliable when moving) | Touch controls (more modern but can be finicky) |
| Microphone Quality - Critical for calls | |
| Dual beamforming mics (excellent call quality) | 6 mics with AI (good but not quite as clear) |
The Soundcore P40i has a slight edge for movies due to its active noise cancellation and customizable EQ settings. While the Beats Powerbeats Pro offers excellent sound quality, the P40i's ability to boost dialog and adjust bass levels makes it more versatile for home theater use.
The Powerbeats Pro at $249 are worth it if you're an Apple user or athlete needing secure fit. However, for most users, the P40i at $70 offers better value with more features like ANC and longer battery life.
The Beats Powerbeats Pro have lower latency with Apple devices thanks to the H1 chip. The P40i performs well but may have slightly more noticeable delay when watching videos.
Yes, both work well for late-night TV viewing. The P40i has an advantage with its active noise cancellation and ambient sound modes, while the Powerbeats Pro offers slightly better connection stability.
The P40i wins with 12 hours per charge compared to Powerbeats Pro's 9 hours. For marathon viewing sessions, P40i's 60-hour total battery life with the case far exceeds Powerbeats' 24 hours.
The P40i offers multipoint connection, allowing easy switching between two devices. The Powerbeats Pro excels at switching between Apple devices but doesn't support multipoint for other brands.
The P40i is generally more comfortable for extended viewing due to its lighter weight. The Powerbeats Pro ear hooks, while secure, can become noticeable during very long sessions.
Yes, both work excellently with streaming services. The Powerbeats Pro has an advantage with Apple TV+, while the P40i offers more sound customization options for different streaming platforms.
The Powerbeats Pro offers superior voice clarity with its dual beamforming mics. While the P40i has 6 mics with AI enhancement, it's slightly less clear for gaming communication.
The P40i is better suited for airplane use with its active noise cancellation. The Powerbeats Pro provides good passive isolation but won't block as much engine noise.
Both offer good volume control, but the Powerbeats Pro physical buttons are more precise. The P40i's touch controls work well but can be more sensitive to accidental touches.
Neither is ideal for shared viewing as they're personal devices. However, the P40i offers better features for solo viewing, while the Powerbeats Pro provides a more consistent listening experience.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: rtings.com - mddevicerepair.com - adambowie.com - verizon.com - globalmobilesinc.com - costco.com - support.apple.com - soundguys.com - techshop.umich.edu - cnet.com - rcwilley.com - rtings.com - youtube.com - soundcore.com - youtube.com - youtube.com - soundcore.com - verizon.com - nfm.com - insight.com - soundcore.com - youtube.com - soundcore.com - dexgen.com.bd - ictmirror.com
