Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 are all you possibly can ask for when going from one era of earbuds to the subsequent. They’re considerably lighter, smaller, and extra comfy to put on. The energetic noise cancellation and transparency modes have each markedly improved. They’re a battery champ as noise-canceling earbuds go, too. Plus these mean you can have free-flowing conversations with Gemini, the corporate’s new AI-powered helper. Now $229, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are $30 costlier than the prior mannequin, however I don’t have any qualms about that value hike contemplating the enhancements Google has made.
New in these buds is the Tensor A1 chip, which marks the primary time Google has constructed customized silicon into the Pixel Buds lineup. The firm is making an enormous deal out of how this A1 chip has made the ANC as much as twice as highly effective as earlier than, and it permits audio to go by way of “on to your ears on a devoted path, unaffected by the processing that occurs throughout noise cancellation.”
But nothing about audio efficiency will ever matter if the rattling issues received’t keep in your ears. And for some folks, a safe match proved to be a trouble with the chunky first-gen Pixel Buds Pro, which had a behavior of step by step shifting misplaced. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 have undergone a significant glow up — now 27 p.c smaller and 24 p.c lighter — and this makes a world of distinction in relation to their in-ear match. The shrunken dimension, mixed with a delicate stabilizer fin, have saved the brand new earbuds anchored in my ears. They’ve but to dislodge throughout varied checks of working, consuming, speaking, and different actions that may trigger earbuds to loosen.
Noise cancellation on the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is certainly stronger. It’s nonetheless not fairly at par with Bose, the reigning and defending champion, however these do a noticeably superior job in comparison with the originals in relation to dialing down on a regular basis clamor round you. I’d argue that Google has made even greater positive aspects with transparency mode, which now principally matches Apple’s AirPods Pro in readability and that phantasm of not carrying earbuds in any respect. Encouraging stuff, though Google has no equal for Apple’s Adaptive Audio or the same “loud sound discount” characteristic when transparency mode is engaged.
But begin taking part in music, and the supposed upgrades that include the Tensor A1 are much less apparent. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 sound very clear and crisp. Their default tuning is surprisingly restrained within the decrease frequencies, however there are numerous presets (and a 5-band customized EQ) at your disposal for nailing the precise steadiness. You can reshape the audio fairly a bit, however as for general tonality, I nonetheless choose options like Sennheiser’s Momentum 4 True Wireless and the Technics AZ80. (But these are $300 earbuds, not $230 earbuds.) The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a step up from the Pixel Buds Pro in constancy — Google added “a brand new high-frequency chamber” for smoother treble — nevertheless it’s nothing dramatic. The last-gen pair have been already passable for many individuals, and these tweaks make the brand new buds higher. They’re comfortably within the combine, simply not profitable the day.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 stay restricted to your run-of-the-mill AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs, in order that’s one space the place Google is being cussed about modifications. I do admire the Hearing Wellness part within the Pixel Buds app, which is a simple reference for whether or not your present quantity is at a protected degree. And I’m glad that Google continues to supply true multipoint assist together with its computerized device-switching trick. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 exhibit low latency when used with the corporate’s personal latest telephones, however there’s no common setting for making use of that decreased latency to exterior units like a Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 nonetheless provide you with hands-free “Hey Google” voice instructions, however now you can even activate a extra conversational Gemini Live session by saying “Hey Google, let’s discuss.” After that, you possibly can chat away with Google’s AI for so long as you need. Sounds neat, however the potential of a Her-like AI assistant in your ear actually begins to unravel everytime you hit Gemini Live’s limitations — and also you’ll run into them shortly.
It can’t set reminders. It’s unable to ship a textual content message or e-mail; you possibly can’t even inform Gemini to name somebody if you’re in Live mode. Normal Gemini can deal with many of those duties, however not the conversational model. Hell, the factor refused to inform me when Election Day is, responding that it may possibly’t reply “political” inquiries to keep away from the opportunity of sharing false data. The guardrails for this characteristic appear too far-reaching. That’s higher than nonexistent, I suppose, contemplating all of the chaos I’ve been capable of create with the Pixel 9’s reimagine instrument. But the safeguards may use some refinement. (Election Day is November fifth.)
It’s simple to think about a future the place Gemini Live can tie into your apps — hail an Uber for you, or perhaps order your favourite Grubhub so it’s prepared and ready if you arrive residence — however this expertise is nothing near resembling that. For now, Gemini Live is only a dialog buddy, and essentially the most “enjoyable” you’ll have might be making an attempt to get it to say one thing bizarre or sudden. Google says that in the intervening time, Gemini Live is nice for brainstorming on the go or different use instances like practising for a job interview. Would I ever try this? No, nevertheless it’s a situation the corporate highlights.
My underwhelming impression of Gemini Live shouldn’t detract from these earbuds, although! As a vector for accessing Gemini, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 work nice. I’ve by no means needed to communicate significantly loudly, and whereas I’ve noticed some errors in my phrases when going over the transcripts, Gemini usually at all times received the gist. Voice name efficiency additionally stays a key energy due to Google’s Clear Calling characteristic, which optimizes voice readability utilizing a heap of machine studying — each on the earbuds and in your Pixel smartphone.
Battery life is one other win, with the Pixel Buds Pro 2 capable of attain 8 hours of steady listening time with ANC on or as much as 12 should you preserve it off. Factoring within the case, you get 30 hours or 48 hours, respectively. If you’re cranking the quantity, these numbers will drop a bit, however I discovered Google’s estimates to be on level.
We’re in a world now the place the cellphone you could have typically determines (or strongly influences) which earbuds you’ll find yourself pairing with them. But fortunately, we’ve additionally reached some extent the place everybody — Google, Samsung, and Apple — is placing ahead their finest merchandise but. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a chief instance of that, even when the Gemini expertise is underbaked for now. Nearly in all places else you look, Google has made significant upgrades.
Photography by Chris Welch / The Verge
Shot with the Nikon Z6 III and 24-70mm f/4 S lens
