Google has launched the Pixel Buds Pro 2, almost two years after they entered the wireless earbuds market with the Pixel Buds Pro.
This week’s Made by Google event was mostly centered around the launch of the Google Pixel 9 smartphones but, the introduction of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 seemingly ensures Google remains one of the major players in the wireless earbuds market.
Several notable upgrades back that up, as well as a variety of very bold claims made by Google that may pique the interest of users currently in the market for new wireless earbuds.
So, here’s everything you need to know about the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 before you part with your hard-earned money.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: How good are they?
Design
While Samsung recently followed Apple’s lead by switching to stemmed wireless earbuds with the Galaxy Buds 3, Google has kept its original look and feel by remaining stemless.
In comparison to the first-generation model, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are 24% lighter and 27% smaller, adding to a more secure and comfortable fit. Google claims they are “the smallest premium earbuds on the market.”
According to Google, they were designed using 45 million data points from different ears, leading to the type of comfort that will allow users to “wear them all day.” The Pixel Buds Pro 2 comes equipped with a helpful twist-to-adjust stabilizer that gives users the ability to adjust the type of fit inside their ear. A slight twist of the earbuds can make them tighter for when working out, or more loose for all-day comfort.
There are also four colors available: Hazel, Peony, Wintergreen and Porcelain.
Hardware
Google’s new Tensor A1 chipset debuts in the Pixel Buds Pro 2, which is the first time a Tensor chip has been used in earbuds.
According to Google, the Tensor A1 chip runs “90 times faster than the speed of sound” and was built for Google AI. Therefore, it is the very thing behind all the impressive upgrades made to ANC and overall audio quality.
Google says the chip introduces multi-path processing to the Pixel Buds Pro 2, which means all audio passes from the source directly to your ears on a dedicated path, completely separate and unaffected by ANC processing, leading to a more pure listening experience.
Image: Google
Battery
There is also a noticeable improvement to battery life on the Pixel Buds Pro 2, with up to eight hours of playback with ANC turned on. Alongside the charging case, users can get up to 30 hours of listening time.
The charging case supports Qi-certified wireless charging.
Sound Quality and ANC
The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 comes with 11mm in-house acoustic drivers that provide more balanced audio, powerful bass, smooth treble and spatial audio for head tracking.
Arguably the biggest upgrade is the improvements made to Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which has been enabled by the new Tensor chipset.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 have ‘Silent Seal 2.0’ which adapts to your environment 3 million times per second and cancels twice as much noise, with ANC now capable of working on higher frequencies than the first-generation Pixel Buds Pro.
Image: Google
Features
The standout feature on the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 is how it’s built to work seamlessly with Google Gemini, thanks to the Tensor chip.
This doesn’t come as much of a surprise given Gemini is the default assistant on Pixel 9 smartphones, and the Pixel Buds Pro 2 have been designed to work and communicate seamlessly with the AI assistant.
What makes this more impressive is the introduction of Gemini Live, which allows users to engage in free-flowing conversations with Gemini. It’s so accurate that you can even interrupt it and ask it to elaborate or clarify certain things further. Users will be able to choose from a variety of natural voices for their own personal Gemini experience.
On top of that, Conversation Detection uses AI to know when users start speaking, which leads to audio being stopped and ANC being switched off. Audio then restarts and ANC is switched back on as soon as it no longer detects a conversation is being had by the user.
Also on the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is seamless audio switching between two devices and Find My Device capabilities.
What is the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 release date?
The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are available to pre-order now after launching at Google’s Made by Google event on August 13.
The official release date is September 26, so we’re a little over a month away from them officially hitting the shelves.
How much will Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 cost?
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 is priced at $229, which is a slight increase compared to the Pixel Buds Pro, which launched at $199.
That price increase is likely down to a combination of increased costs and the introduction of a more powerful chipset.
Featured Image: Google
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