Google first introduced the inaugural Pixel Buds Pro back in 2022, so it’s about time we had a new model, and the technology giant has unveiled just that, alongside the third-generation Pixel Watch and four phones under the Pixel 9 umbrella.
Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 might look a bit similar to their older siblings, but the portion that rests in your ear is slimmer and delivers a more comfortable fit, at least from my first impressions. Under the hood, these are the first earbuds with a Google Tensor chip to power some Pixel Buds-only features like ‘Clear Calling’ and promise improvements to both noise cancellation and battery life.
Now, ahead of a full-fat review, I’m sharing my very early first impressions. How early are we talking? I got to wear them in my ears with a medium-sized ear tip, but I didn’t get to listen to music or test out the new features. So I’ll share my opinions on fit and also run through the latest promised enhancements. And of course, I’ll go hands-on as soon as possible and fully test them for a review as well.
Pricing and availability
Regardless of which color you choose, Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 will cost $229.99 / £219 / around AU$430. You can pick between Hazel, Porcelain, Wintergreen, or Peony – and having seen ’em all, those last two are my favorite and the most fun.
If you’re already sold, preorders are open. However, Google isn’t shipping the Pixel Buds Pro 2 until September 26, 2024, so you’ll have to wait a bit – in fact, that’s after the Pixel 9 family, including Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and Pixel Watch 3.
The wait to jam might very well be worth it, though.
Much lighter and way more cozy
The earbuds still have a friendly circle that sticks out of your ear to the world with a “G” Google logo and capacitive touch controls, but it’s no longer attached to a longer, ovular piece that goes in the ear and attached to the ear tip.
It’s now a molded, black, circular piece of plastic with an ear tip attached to the end. You’ll still get several sizes in the box, but the real significance is that each Pixel Bud Pro 2 weighs in at just 4.7 grams, which is 27% lighter than the original.
In my short first impressions, I slid the Pixel Buds Pro 2 into my ears and immediately noticed a more nestled, cozy fit that didn’t weigh down my ears as much. They also protrude far less and have a new twist-to-adjust stabilizer, which is not a wing tip but, like Studio Buds Plus from Beats, kind of like a corkscrew that you can turn to the left or right to stabilize these in your ear.
It aims to ensure the Pixel Buds Pro 2 won’t fall out, but the added bonus is a better seal in your ear. This way, whatever you’re listening to sounds better, and you can passively block out environmental sounds around you. This refreshed design and the onboard Google-made Tensor A1 chip also promises up to two times more effective active noise cancellation. Google is calling this Silent Seal 2.0, and I’m really keen to try it out, especially considering how good of a passive seal these provide.
Much like AirPods Pro 2, Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 have a conversation detection feature that allows you to have a conversation with someone without removing the earbuds. The device switches into a listening mode that lets environmental sound in.
Powering the audio in each Pixel Buds Pro 2 will be a new 11-millimeter driver with a high-frequency chamber that works with the Tensor A1 chip for audio processing. These also still offer support for ‘Spatial Audio with Head Tracking’ with the right tracks.
Aside from music playback and noise cancellation, like other listening modes, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 will also pair and connect seamlessly between other Pixel devices –be it a Pixel phone, Tablet, or Watch. Similar to how Google Gemini is unashamedly front-and-center within its latest phones, you will be able to use Gemini on Pixel Buds Pro 2, and it will effectively be the smart assistant here. I hope it yields some improvements with the live translation features of the past.
Regarding battery life, Google says that Pixel Buds Pro 2 can last for up to 12 hours with active noise cancellation off or 8 hours with that listening mode enabled. That’s pretty much in line with other similarly priced earbuds, and I’m eager to see how this claim runs in our testing. When you factor in recharges in the case, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 should last for up to 30 hours. Here’s the rub: the older set will serve up to 11 hours from the buds, or up to 31 hours total listening time with the wireless charging case… so a minor downgrade there.
As I was hoping to see, just like the AirPods Pro 2, Google added a speaker to the Pixel Buds case. This means that when you misplace the Pro 2, you can still see the location but can also ping the case, and make it emit a sound so you can hear it.
Considering the improved design – and the lovely shades of Peony and Wintergreen – plus the more comfortable design, I have high hopes for the audio playback and noise cancellation chops here.
Most importantly, though they stick out less and aren’t as cumbersome. So, let’s just hope the other aspects live up to the hype.
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jacob.krol@futurenet.com (Jacob Krol)
