There are many situations the place I’ve reviewed the most recent technology of a product, and the enhancements really feel like they’re solely marginally higher than the final. Not so with the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2. Not solely are they extra clever than earlier than, Google additionally upped the standard in different key areas.
Most importantly, I feel they’re a pair of earbuds that everybody, from Classical music lovers to hip-hop heads, can completely get pleasure from. There’s loads to get to, so learn on to find out if these needs to be your subsequent earbuds buy.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: Price and availability
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 have been announed on August 10 and go on sale for basic buy September 26. They’re out there by way of Google’s web site and different on-line retailers for $229 within the U.S., €249 in Europe, and £219 within the UK.
It needs to be famous that the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are launching for $30 greater than the earlier technology buds, however with the enhancements and new options, we don’t assume that’s a horrible factor.
You can choose them up in 4 colours: Porcelain, Peony, Hazel, and the colour we’re reviewing right here, Wintergreen.
| Categories | Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 |
|---|---|
| Conectivity | Bluetooth 5.4; LE Audio, Super Wideband |
| Speakers | Custom-designed 11 mm dynamic speaker driver |
| Codec help | SBC, AAC, Opus |
| Battery life | Up to 8hrs w/ANC on, 12 w/ANC off |
| Charging | USB-C, Qi charging help |
| App help | Pixel Buds app |
| Microphone | Three microphones every earbud |
| Durability | Earbuds: IP54 Case: IPX4 |
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: What I like
I’m calling this an “early overview” as a result of I’ve spent a strong period of time testing audio and name high quality. However, together with AI and all that it permits requires extra time to sit down with and expertise its many potential sensible purposes. This is the early stage for actually clever, conversational AI help. With that stated, there’s loads on provide right here, so let’s get some background out of the way in which as a result of it can inform the remainder of the overview.
To totally expertise the Pixel Buds Pro 2, you may want a Pixel cellphone. For some options, which means a Pixel 6 or later, and not one of the “A” collection telephones are included.
Enabling the intelligence is a primary for Pixel Buds, because of the inclusion of one in every of Google’s proprietary chipsets, the Tensor A1, which additionally bolsters the noise canceling and name high quality by processing audio 90 occasions quicker than the velocity of sound, in response to Google. I couldn’t check that, although, as my supersonic fighter jet is within the store this week. Additionally, the extra environment friendly processing means higher battery life regardless of the buds being smaller than final 12 months.
Bluetooth 5.4 is alongside for the trip, with help for Bluetooth LE. Hopefully which means Auracast is within the Pixel Buds Pro 2’s future. Google additionally overhauled the acoustic housing and the motive force, so this 12 months you get a customized 11mm dynamic speaker within the tiny, tiny buds.
The USB-C charging case is wi-fi charging enabled and is rated IPX4 for water and mud resistance, whereas the buds are rated IP54.
Small buds. Big options. Big sound.
It’s the technical issues we briefly touched on that energy what I’ve skilled throughout this overview. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are higher than the previous-gen Buds Pro in each approach. I examined the noise-canceling with 80dB of airplane cabin noise and walked in busy metropolitan areas throughout rush hour.
The Buds Pro 2 positively hush a broader spectrum of sound than earlier than. That’s lows and highs! They don’t cancel fairly as a lot as Sony or Bose, that are each $70 extra, however the Buds Pro 2 aren’t a slouch on this space both.
There are welcome refinements that assist get to the place the place I might check that improved lively noise canceling with Google’s Silent Seal 2.0 tech. Removing the buds from the case is less complicated than ever, because of them sitting above the deck of the realm they’re seated in. It feels like a small factor, however I can’t let you know what number of earbuds I’ve dropped making an attempt to wiggle and finagle them out of their magnetized housings.
Walking across the metropolis and testing these for hours has been supremely comfy, with a locked-in really feel. Google put a number of analysis into their new twist-to-adjust stabilizer match, and it reveals—er, feels.
I’ve but to expertise any ear fatigue, and I’ve worn them throughout my total eight-hour shift on the day job. Though not repeatedly streaming music or working all day with ANC activated, they’ve simply lasted that total eight hours with loads of battery life left. I’ll want extra testing to know higher how arduous I can push them earlier than inserting them again of their case for a top-up. Five minutes of charging within the case offers 1.5 hours of listening time with ANC off if I would like it. That stated, there’s a footnote to this expertise.
I’ll want extra time testing the battery in real-world use as firmware upgrades could change issues. Sitting at my desk for some centered testing right this moment, an hour of ANC use at 50% of max quantity kills roughly 20% of the battery in the correct earbud and 10% within the left. Google claims as much as eight hours of listening time with ANC on, however at that price, someplace round 5 hours would kill one earbud, leaving you with 50% left within the different, and that doesn’t fairly add up.
The contact controls are very responsive, and to Google’s credit score, they don’t undergo from a problem that many do: false touches. I’ve adjusted them in my ears a couple of occasions right here and there whereas listening to music, and never as soon as have I paused or skipped a observe unintentionally. Those changes have been whereas getting used to the match and really feel and discovering the correct really feel for me. Once I had that proper, they didn’t budge throughout a 3.2-mile ruck (a hike or brisk stroll with a weighted backpack or plate provider), at the same time as I obtained sweatier throughout my metropolis march.
Admittedly, I used to be impressed with the consistency of the press and maintain motion for switching between the ANC and Transparency modes when my fingers have been dry and after they have been a bit moist from wiping sweat from my forehead.
I bumped into an fascinating phenomenon when placing sound high quality to the check. While I’d prefer to see LDAC or AptX Adaptive help, one other hi-res coded, Opus, is supported. When I performed tracks and went into developer mode, Opus was an possibility. But each time I tapped on it, I’d see it swap for a nanosecond, then default again to AAC.
The different fascinating merchandise was the sound high quality of various apps. Playing .flac information by way of VLC media participant sounds simply okay. Tidal is strong generally, then simply okay at different occasions. I’ve stated it earlier than with different earbuds; many occasions on Android, YouTube Music has probably the most quantity. I even needed to double-check developer settings to make sure that Opus hadn’t lastly kicked in and caught as a result of the muddiest observe identified to humankind, Method Man’s “Biscuits,” was reproduced with nuances within the observe, vocals, and backing vocals that I’d forgotten about. Playback from YouTube Music has an fascinating degree of vary and readability you don’t fairly get with playback from different apps.
I even needed to double-check developer settings to make sure that Opus hadn’t lastly kicked in and caught as a result of the muddiest observe identified to humankind, Method Man’s “Biscuits,” was reproduced with nuances within the observe, vocals, and backing vocals that I’d forgotten about.
I used that app in my testing, and the Pixel Buds Pro 2 don’t disappoint on any degree with any style.
The bass and sub-bass extension are lovely when listening to Skrillex’s “Mumbai Power.” The Buds Pro 2’s offer you strong rumble and growl, delivering that deep, darkish sub-bass. If it’s air and readability you’re after, then listening to Paul Simon’s “Diamonds on the Souls of Her Shoes” is it! Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s a capella solo, and Paul Simon’s vocals are huge and ethereal, whereas the drums and guitars all fill their house and frequencies identical to they need to. Charles Mingus’ Mingus Big Band ‘93 “Nostalgia in Times Square” performed again as a vibrant huge band jazz romp with lovely instrumentation, layering, and separation within the stereo picture.
Sylosis’ “Poison for the Lost” is a dying metallic delight when performed by way of the Pixel Buds Pro 2, as is “Toxicity” from System of a Down. Changing speeds, “Violin Duel” from the Chevalier OST is splendidly reproduced. You get the string and bow rigidity in these mids and highs, together with the occasional fingering of the frets. Oh, wait. Violins don’t have frets. You get the purpose.
Along with the brand new acoustic structure and dynamic driver, the strong alternative of listening customizations makes the audio expertise particular. Using the 5-band EQ, I created a customized preset that honed in on the music the way in which I like to listen to it and elevated the listening expertise. And whereas the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are positively heat on the backside, they’re nonetheless superb about readability within the mids and high-end frequencies.
Spatial audio with head monitoring could be very effectively applied, as evidenced after I cued up “An Unexpected Element” from “Blue Eye Samurai.” Taiko drums have been boomy, the dialogue was clear and crisp–as have been the clangs of the sword sound results–and the impact of encompass imaging was effectively rendered. To be frank, this was probably the greatest cell listening experiences of that episode of Blue Eye Samurai, other than watching it on an iPhone with Apple earbuds and their spatial audio implementation.
One closing be aware on the music and leisure expertise: Far too many earbuds have weak output over Bluetooth however the Pixel Buds Pro 2 actually don’t must be turned up a lot previous 50% of max quantity to be at a snug listening degree. If you wish to immerse your self in some audio, there’s loads of headroom to crank issues up a bit and listen to as a lot sonic nuance as these earbuds can convey. It isn’t audiophile grade, however it is without doubt one of the greatest experiences I’ve had this 12 months with a pair of earbuds that weren’t using a Hi-Res Bluetooth codec.
Gemini: Star Trek is right here! Almost
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Computer: Who’s the perfect captain within the Star Trek collection, and why is it Benjamin Sisko? Using Gemini Live with the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Pixel 9 was a revelation. Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa are all cool, however they don’t keep on a helpful, useful dialog.
Gemini Live is now a free operate that means that you can have free-flowing conversations, which incorporates the flexibility to interrupt when you may have follow-up questions/queries. On the way in which to work one morning, I queried Gemini concerning a venue the place my spouse goes to be holding a pop-up occasion this week and obtained very helpful background data on it. Another time, a standing gentle that I hadn’t seen earlier than turned on within the dashboard of my automobile, so I queried that, and Gemini advised me all about it, together with a number of the reason why it could be on and what to do primarily based on which potential motive the sunshine was activated.
The customary Gemini question doesn’t contain a working dialog and is Google Assistant-like however extra clever. Both of those implementations of AI can draw from different apps in your gadget, like Gmail or Google Maps, so there’s loads of performance available. I’ll want extra time to essentially play with and check this out in numerous driving or working eventualities, however at the moment, early within the lifetime of this expertise, it’s completely wonderful. For probably the most half. I’ll contact on among the pitfalls in a second.
Pixel Buds app
The final chapter on this audio novella is concerning the Pixel Buds app. It’s full-featured and offers you a lot choices to tailor your total expertise, from the gesture interactions to the expertise with the digital assistants and the sound high quality. There are 5 EQ presets within the Sound menu, with the flexibility to customise one. You can’t save a number of custom-made presets, however not less than the one you possibly can have is saved to the earbuds themselves, so in the event you join to a different gadget that doesn’t use the Pixel Buds app, your sound will nonetheless be tailor-made to your liking.
Then, there’s the choice to activate Conversation Detection. Using AI, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 will hear once you’re speaking and routinely pause your music and swap to Transparency mode if needed. Then, once you’re carried out talking, they’ll return to ANC (if that was the mode previous to detecting speech) and resume your music. This characteristic works flawlessly in my testing, with one caveat: rocking out! Yes, once you’re so into your music that you just start singing with it, your music will pause. This occurs to me usually after I’m out for a extra leisurely stroll and actually get into my music. In the longer term, I’d love a fast setting or voice command to deactivate this characteristic on the fly.
The app additionally incorporates settings for customizing the digital assistant, Spatial Audio, and contact controls. Here, you’ll additionally discover the characteristic that means that you can use the native “Find gadget” characteristic to ring every earbud independently. However, to find them on a map, you’ll need to go to the separate Find Device app.
The app additionally has a Hearing Wellness menu that reveals you your present degree in dB and whether or not it’s secure in your listening to. You’ll additionally see once you’re getting near your total publicity restrict for the final 24 hours and the final seven days. Then, there’s a toggle to activate or off volume-level notifications so that you just’ll be alerted once you exceed the really useful publicity restrict.
Last be aware for this part: name high quality is strong. My voice is all the time clear, regardless of rush hour site visitors whizzing by me on the streets, and I don’t sound like I’m in a tunnel, in response to callers on the opposite finish. I additionally used the inventory sound recorder app on the Pixel 9, and the microphone audio recorded clearly and with none background site visitors noise. The actual query is: how usually do you utilize your pocket laptop as a cellphone?
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: What’s not so good
Bottom: Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 (Image credit score: Tshaka Armstrong)
The expertise with the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 has been overwhelmingly optimistic, however there are some areas the place enhancements may be made. I’m going to work on this Opal hi-res audio implementation, however as I discussed earlier than, I’d like to have seen LDAC or AptX Lossless help.
The match has been very comfy, however it’s additionally a little bit of an anomaly. The posts the ear suggestions are linked to should be very small as a result of I’ve to do one thing I by no means do with earbuds: use massive ear suggestions. Normally, I’ve to make use of small or extra-small ear suggestions. I’ve tiny ear canals, so I’m wondering if these with bigger ear canals will discover the match with the massive ear suggestions too small.
This is much less of a problem with the buds, however Gemini can have that break up persona that your favourite individual born beneath the Gemini Zodiac signal has. Yes, you. One night I queried it about the perfect turkey burger in a specific metropolis. It gave me wonderful data, and I used to be able to go. Out of curiosity, I attempted the question once more and obtained fully completely different outcomes. Add to that, as a result of I used to be utilizing Gemini Live, it required me to then inform Google Assistant the identify of the restaurant in order that I might get Global Positioning System driving instructions. You don’t need to carry out this step with the usual Gemini question, however with Gemini Live, I discovered that I did.
I must also be aware that as this text is being revealed, I’m working with Google to type out an odd challenge. The Find Device app persistently reveals an outdated location from a couple of days in the past. It gained’t replace the placement of the buds and I don’t but know why. Sticking with discovering your buds, the ringtone performed by way of the buds themselves, utilizing the “Find gadget” characteristic within the Pixel Buds app is fairly low, so if the buds are between some sofa cushions, you could not hear them.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: Competition
There is a number of competitors within the TWS earbud house, however for now, I’ll give attention to these which might be a part of an ecosystem of merchandise. That means competitors comes from Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, Nothing Ear (2024), OnePlus Buds Pro 3, and, technically, the Sony WF-1000XM5, although their telephones haven’t been large sellers.
This is an fascinating comparability as a result of the “competitors” actually is dependent upon which telephones and watches you’re keen on as effectively. On options alone, Samsung and Nothing, with their AI implementations, are direct opponents, however Nothing comes out forward in value, costing virtually $80 lower than Google’s providing and $100 lower than Samsung’s. Nothing’s Ear has been one in every of my favourite buds of 2024 for its worth, however Google’s Gemini implementation one-ups its ChatGPT integration. In phrases of sound high quality, they’re all strong, however by levels, I’d give that win to Nothing and Samsung. The distinction isn’t adequate to be a deciding issue, although.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: Should you purchase them?
You should purchase the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 if…
- You personal a Pixel 6 or later (not an “A” collection gadget)
- You’re invested within the Google ecosystem
- You need high-quality, light-weight earbuds
- You have a Pixel cellphone that helps Gemini and Gemini Advanced
You shouldn’t purchase the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 if…
- You don’t care concerning the AI integration
- You aren’t within the Google ecosystem
- Your finances is round $150 or much less
Google has carried out it with its Pixel Buds Pro 2 TWS earbuds. They are gentle, comfy, and feature-packed, and Google Gemini is the digital assistant many people have been ready for for the reason that first time we watched an episode of Star Trek. Most importantly, although, the sound high quality is top-tier for this house.
Google continues to enhance its cell merchandise and, finally, its ecosystem, making this an area to look at as each these buds and the Pixel Watch 3 have been much-welcomed enhancements over earlier technology gadgets.
Thanks to those newest improvements, the competitors within the ecosystem house is heating up, with great choices at completely different value factors, which is all the time good for us shoppers.
Small buds, huge options and sound!
There’s loads to love concerning the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2. They sound great-the bass response is pleasant, the ANC is strong, name high quality is nice, and Gemini is like one thing out of a comic book ebook.
