Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 are the company’s latest flagship wireless earbuds, following up on the highly praised Pixel Buds Pro released in 2022. With a $229 price tag, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 promise to improve upon their predecessor in key areas such as comfort, noise cancellation, and sound quality, thanks to the addition of the Google Tensor A1 chip. The new chip is designed to handle more advanced noise-canceling algorithms and audio processing, promising up to twice the noise cancellation of the previous model. But do these buds live up to the hype? Let’s break down the key aspects of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and see how they perform in real-world use.
Design: Smaller, More Comfortable, But Still Not Perfect
Design Overhaul
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 come with a notable redesign that focuses on comfort and fit. The bulky, obtrusive design of the first-generation model has been replaced by smaller, more compact buds. The new earbuds have a shape that is closer to a classic earplug, making them feel lighter and less intrusive in the ear. Google claims that these are the most comfortable earbuds they’ve ever created, backed by 45 million data points collected from ear scans to ensure a better, more secure fit.
Wing Tips and Fit
A key design improvement is the addition of integrated wing tips. These small fins help anchor the earbuds securely in your ears, preventing them from falling out during use. The earbuds can be worn in one of two ways:
- Loose fit: Place them in without twisting them, which gives them a more “floating” feel in your ears. This fit, however, can make them more prone to falling out.
- Locked fit: Twist the earbuds to lock them into place with the fins digging into your ear. This makes for a more secure fit, although it can create slight discomfort for some users after extended wear.
The earbuds feature a two-tone color design, where the outer disc is colored, while the inner plastic remains matte black. While this may look good to the outside observer, it does have a downside — the matte black inner surface tends to collect greasy smudges, requiring frequent cleaning.
Handling Issues
Despite the more compact size, handling the Pixel Buds Pro 2 can be tricky. Due to their small size, they are easy to drop, especially when pulling them out of the case. If you tend to fumble with small items, you’ll need to exercise caution when taking them out or putting them back in the case.
Case Design
The case itself is nearly identical to the previous version, with a slightly improved design for easier handling. The buds protrude a bit more from the case compared to the previous model, making them easier to grab. The case still supports wireless charging and USB-C charging and includes a small speaker at the bottom, which plays sounds to help you locate your earbuds when misplaced. However, it’s worth noting that the case still features a white color, which is a missed opportunity for personalization — it would have been nice to see a more colorful case design to match the earbuds.
Comfort: A Comfortable Fit, But Not for Everyone
While comfort is a major selling point for the Pixel Buds Pro 2, it’s a subjective experience that varies from person to person. Thanks to the new, smaller design and wing tips, these earbuds do a good job of staying in place during most activities. However, the pressure from the locking mechanism can create some discomfort for users who aren’t accustomed to this type of fit.
In general, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are relatively comfortable for short to medium listening sessions, but some users may still find earbuds with stems (like the AirPods Pro) more comfortable due to their more traditional design. If you have smaller or more sensitive ears, you might find the locked-in fit slightly more uncomfortable compared to other options on the market.
Software and Features: Strong, But Could Use Refinement
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 pair seamlessly with Android devices using the Pixel Buds app. While the app offers a range of customization options, including noise cancellation modes, EQ adjustments, touch controls, and even multipoint pairing, there are some software inconsistencies that can be frustrating.
App Usability
The Pixel Buds app has been around for a while, but it still feels a bit clunky. The app’s performance isn’t as fluid as it could be — features sometimes load slowly, and there are occasional bugs when trying to adjust settings. For example, the EQ screen can be temperamental, requiring multiple taps to load properly. This isn’t a dealbreaker, but it’s a bit annoying for an app that should provide a smooth user experience.
Noise Cancellation (ANC)
One of the major selling points of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is their improved ANC performance, powered by the Google Tensor A1 chip. Google claims that the ANC on the Pro 2 is twice as effective as the previous generation, and in real-world use, this claim holds up. The earbuds perform well at canceling out mid and high-frequency noise, such as conversations or background chatter. Low-frequency noise, like engine hums or air conditioning, is also well-managed.
However, compared to competitors like the AirPods Pro 2, the ANC on the Pixel Buds Pro 2 feels a bit less sophisticated. There’s no adaptive ANC that adjusts based on your environment, so the strength of noise cancellation remains static. This isn’t a dealbreaker, but it does make the Pixel Buds Pro 2 feel a little more basic when compared to rivals.
Transparency Mode
The transparency mode is effective and natural-sounding, though it’s not quite as refined as Apple’s Transparency mode. Google has opted for a more subtle, neutral sound, making it a great option for outdoor use or walking around in busy environments. However, it’s not as “enhanced” or boosted as some other brands, which means you may find it less effective in situations where you need extra amplification of outside sounds.
Sound Quality: A Noticeable Improvement
In terms of sound quality, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer a clear upgrade over the original model. The first-generation Pixel Buds Pro had solid sound but leaned heavily toward bass-heavy tuning, which sometimes made other frequencies feel less balanced. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 dial this back significantly, offering a leaner, more detailed sound profile.
Bass Response
While the bass is still elevated compared to reference-level headphones, it is tighter and more controlled. You get a punchy low-end that still delivers impact, but it doesn’t overwhelm the rest of the sound spectrum. This makes for a more balanced listening experience, whether you’re listening to rock, pop, or electronic music.
Midrange and Treble
The midrange is clearer, with improved vocal clarity. However, the upper midrange can sometimes sound a little nasal or metallic, particularly in certain tracks. It’s not a huge issue but is noticeable when switching between the Pixel Buds Pro and Pixel Buds Pro 2. The treble has also seen improvement, with more sparkle and brightness, although some users may find the highs to be a little sharp on certain tracks.
Spatial Audio
Spatial audio is a feature that’s present, but it’s not as well-implemented as on other devices. Google’s version of head-tracking spatial audio works only in a handful of apps, such as Google TV, Netflix, and Disney Plus. The feature is also limited to Pixel devices, which restricts its use significantly. Additionally, the actual sound quality of spatial audio is underwhelming. The effect is subtle and not as immersive as on competitors like AirPods Pro 2.
Microphone Performance: Decent but Not Great
The microphone performance on the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is a mixed bag. On the one hand, voice clarity is improved compared to the original Pixel Buds Pro, but there’s still a tendency for background noise to bleed through in loud environments. If you’re in a noisy setting, like a café or on a crowded street, your voice may sound muffled or accompanied by distracting background noise.
Compared to competitors like the OnePlus Buds Pro 3, which excel at noise isolation during calls, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 fall a bit short in terms of voice clarity in loud environments.
Battery Life: Impressive and Reliable
One area where the Pixel Buds Pro 2 excel is battery life. Google claims that the earbuds will last 8 hours with ANC on and 12 hours with ANC off. In testing, we found these numbers to be very close to the actual performance. Additionally, fast charging is supported, providing 1.5 hours of playback from just a 5-minute charge.
Case Battery
The charging case provides an additional 24 hours of battery life, which is above average compared to other premium earbuds on the market. Whether you’re using wired charging or wireless charging, the case performs well, and the earbuds return to full charge quickly when placed inside.
Final Verdict: A Solid Choice with Some Caveats
The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are undoubtedly a solid option for anyone looking for premium wireless earbuds that offer great sound quality, effective ANC, and a comfortable fit. The addition of the Google Tensor A1 chip brings noticeable improvements, particularly in noise cancellation and sound processing. However, there are still a few areas where these earbuds fall short, such as spatial audio, microphone performance, and some minor software glitches. For $229, they’re competitive, but they may not quite match the overall package offered by competitors like the AirPods Pro 2 or Sony WF-1000XM5.
Pros
- Balanced, improved sound quality
- Effective ANC and transparency modes
- Comfortable fit with secure wing tips
- Great battery life with fast charging
Cons
- Software bugs and occasional performance issues
- Spatial audio implementation feels limited
- Microphone performance in noisy environments could be better
Ultimately, if you’re invested in the Google ecosystem and value comfort and sound quality above all else, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a great choice. However, if you’re after better microphone performance or more reliable spatial audio, you might find better options elsewhere.
FAQs
1. What improvements have been made in the Pixel Buds Pro 2 over the original model?
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 feature a more compact design, enhanced sound quality, and better active noise cancellation (ANC), thanks to the Google Tensor A1 chip. The earbuds also offer a more comfortable fit with the addition of integrated wing tips for a more secure hold in your ears.
2. How is the battery life on the Pixel Buds Pro 2?
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 provide up to 8 hours of battery life with ANC on and 12 hours with ANC off. The charging case adds an additional 24 hours of battery life. The earbuds also support fast charging, providing 1.5 hours of playback from just a 5-minute charge.
3. Does the Pixel Buds Pro 2 support spatial audio?
Yes, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 support spatial audio, but it is limited to a few apps (like Google TV, Netflix, and Disney Plus) and works only on Pixel devices. The feature lacks the immersion and quality found in competitors, such as Apple’s AirPods Pro 2.
4. How effective is the active noise cancellation (ANC) on the Pixel Buds Pro 2?
The ANC on the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is highly effective, especially for mid and high-frequency noise like conversations or background chatter. It is twice as effective as the original model, but it lacks the adaptive ANC feature that adjusts the noise-canceling strength based on your environment, which is found in competitors like the AirPods Pro 2.
5. How do the microphones perform on the Pixel Buds Pro 2?
The microphones on the Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer decent voice clarity, but they struggle in noisy environments. In loud places like cafes or on the street, your voice may sound muffled, and background noise may interfere. They are not as good as some competitors, like the OnePlus Buds Pro 3, in this regard.