Two years after launching the first generation of its high-end earbuds, Google has put the headphones on sale. Pixel Buds Pro 2 with an important series of new features that resolve the criticism received by the former; especially, regarding its fixation in the ears of some users. And yes, they have improved in this aspect and in several others, such as the use of AI in functions such as noise cancellationas we have seen after using them for a few days.
We review, first, its main specifications.
| Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 | |
|---|---|
| Design | Electrodynamic wireless in-ear headphones |
| Processor | A1 Tensioner (one A1 Tensioner on each earbud) |
| Transducer | 11mm dynamic |
| noise cancellation | Yeah |
| Ambient sound mode | Yeah |
| Connectivity |
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| Resistance to liquids and dust |
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| Sensors | Each earbud:
Case:
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| Burden | USB-C |
| Battery |
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| Colors | Porcelain, lichen green, pastel green and peony pink |
| Dimensions |
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| Weight |
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| Price | 249 euros |
Improved ergonomics and sound
The first generation of the Pixel Buds Pro was criticized for its ergonomicswhich meant that they could be moved or removed relatively easily while being used. The new Buds Pro 2 have been redesigned after, according to Google, studying 45 million ear data. The result is headphones noticeably smaller, 27%, and lighter, 24%and provided with a small stabilizer fin that adapt to the ear perfectly. This fin or arch is located in the middle part of each earpiece and allows Press it and turn it easily to adjust it in the best way. The device comes with four pairs of ear pads of different sizes and, from the app, you can make a pad fit test to help you choose the best one. The result is headphones that stay well restrained, also doing sports activities.
This improvement in ergonomics is accompanied by other changes inside the device. Improve the fidelity of Buds Pro by adding “a high frequency camera” for softer treble. Without pretending to be an audiophile, the sound is excellent and the inclusion of an equalizer in the very complete app Pixel Buds allows you to adjust it to each person’s taste.
AI and noise cancellation in the Pixel Buds Pro 2
But the presence of the chip has more impact Tensioner A1the first designed by Google for headphones and which, with the use of artificial intelligence, allows a notable improvement in noise cancellation. According to the company, Silent Seal 2.0 It is twice as powerful as its first version in the Buds Pro and evaluates the environment 3 million times per second. The result is spectacular.
It’s just putting headphones in your ears and the entire sound environment disappears: instant peace. If someone talks to you, you will still hear them although it will sound somewhat muffled, but ambient sound is completely eliminated. The app has a transparency or ambient sound mode which uses the device’s microphones to capture and transmit it more clearly. You can also switch from one mode to another automatically with the option Conversation detection. You are silent, but if you speak or are spoken to, the noise cancellation is deactivated and you go to ambient sound, until you finish.
For control, each of the headphones has a rear touch panel which supports a series of gestures and touches for actions such as controlling the volume, skipping to the next or previous song, answering or rejecting a call or operating active noise cancellation.
Autonomy is another aspect that Google has improved. Now it comes up 8 hours with active noise cancellation and 30 with the charging case, also with active noise cancellation. Without it, 12 and 48 hours, respectively.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 also uses AI to get clearer calls and control Google’s Gemini AI assistant. To use it, you need an Android mobile —neither the Pixel Buds nor the Gemini app are available for iOS—, have the Gemini app installed on your mobile and the AI configured as an assistant instead of the traditional Google one.
You can use the “Hey Google” command and ask it any question so it can respond. You will do it through the app interface on the screen and orally, reading that content through headphones. It’s convenient in some use cases, but in many it’s more efficient to look at the screen and read. Its functions are those of a conversational chatbotbut if you ask it to set reminders or send a text or email, it won’t do it. On the other hand, it will inform you of the messages you receive in applications such as WhatsApp either instagram. And if you are subscribed to Gemini Advancedyou will have access to integration with services such as Gmail either YouTube.
Bluetooth: multipoint connectivity and the usual codecs
Buds Pro 2 can also be used with two devices at the same time with the multipoint option. If you have it connected to your computer and mobile phone, the headphones reproduce the sound of one or the other depending on the action you are performing. For example, you can be playing a YouTube video on your computer, pause it and start playing another on your mobile, and listen to it through headphones without having to take any additional action.
What some audiophiles may miss is the use of others codecs Bluetooth devices other than AAC and SBCbut for most users it will not be a problem. The experience, both with latency and fidelity, is good.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 increase in price compared to the previous generation
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are somewhat more expensive than their predecessors, now discontinued, which went on sale at a price of 219 euros in 2022. They are now 249 eurosbut Google can defend the price increase with the updates made. They are, of course, a significant improvement over the previous generation.