PowerBeats Pro using narrow band 8kHz channel for hands-free audio on Windows 10

Hi,

I have seen many others see this specific issue with Airpods (1, 2, and Pro) and Macs, but I am also experiencing this with PowerBeats Pro and Windows 10.

Other Bluetooth headsets when I connect them use 16kHz wide band duplex audio, so I know my OS and Bluetooth chip can do HFP 1.6. Two different pairs of Powerbeats Pro on two different Windows 10 PCs see the same issue.

This appears to be a limitation of the earbuds themselves, and I can find similar issues with AirPods and Macs dating back to 2017. I understand Bluetooth does not have the bandwidth to do high quality audio for 2-way communication, but in 2020 these earbuds should certainly support 16kHz HFP 1.6. Resetting the earbuds does not solve the issue and I can confirm both are on the latest firmware.

This is an absolute must-have feature and prevent the use of them for any call or meeting I attend on my PC. I understand that using a different microphone is an alternate means to an end, but then what is the point of it being wireless?