True wireless earbuds come and true wireless earbuds go. But for years now, Apple’s AirPods Pro have held the crown as the gold standard for true wireless earbuds. Why, you may wonder? Because AirPods Pro simply blend sound quality, noise cancellation, and seamless integration. There might be earbuds which can beat Apple on one of those things but as an overall proposition, the AirPods Pro are the Michael Jordan of true wireless earbuds. There’s always talk about the “next Jordan” but often other TWS earbuds end up being pretenders rather than contenders.
Google’s back with the Pixel Buds Pro 2, aiming to steal the spotlight (and maybe your ears) from the AirPods Pro. With new features and a sleek redesign, can Google finally give Apple a run for its money, or will these buds end up as just another Android alternative? Let’s dive in and see if the Pixel Buds Pro 2 have what it takes to dethrone the reigning champ:
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review: The look and fit
At first glance, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 look very similar to the Pixel Buds Pro. However, Google has made important refinements when it comes to size and weight. Google says that the Buds Pro 2 are 27% smaller and about 1.5 grams lighter. What these changes do is make the Buds Pro 2 one of the smallest earbuds in the market. And this is music to the ears for those with smaller ears. The Buds Pro 2 fit very snugly in your ears and you can wear them for hours at stretch.
The new Pixel Buds Pro 2 are available in four colour options. The earbuds are IP54 rated,, making them resistant to splashes and dust. The charging case also boats an IPX4 rating, ensuring added protection from water droplets. The earbuds have capacitive touch controls to play/pause music, activate ANC, and more.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer seamless connectivity with multipoint Bluetooth pairing and automatic switching between Android devices linked to your Google account. Leveraging the Find My Device network, these earbuds are easy to locate if misplaced. A small speaker integrated into the bottom of the charging case, near the USB-C port, emits a ringtone to help you track down the case.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review: Sound quality, noise cancellation
The Pixel Buds Pro (2nd Gen) offer a significant audio upgrade thanks to Bluetooth 5.4 technology. I was thoroughly impressed by the sound output on the Pixel Buds Pro 2. One of my go-to testing tracks is Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. The Buds Pro 2 deliver crisp highs and mids, with Freddie Mercury’s vocals standing out clearly. The earbuds capture the operatic dynamics and instrumentals with good separation
With Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb, the Buds Pro 2 shine in reproducing the intricate guitar work and atmospheric soundscapes. The soundstage is impressive, with a sense of depth that lets you feel immersed in the track. The Buds Pro 2 handle David Gilmour’s guitar solos smoothly — a task many other earbuds struggle with.
Afreen Afreen by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan highlights the Buds’ balanced handling of vocal and instrumental nuances. Khan’s soulful voice comes through with rich warmth, though the Buds struggle slightly with the finer details in more complex sections.
Google has also improve the noise cancellation and voice-calling performance. And that’s down to Google's Tensor A1 chip, whose refined algorithms play a crucial role in these improvements. While featuring the same 11mm drivers as their predecessors, the new earbuds boast an upgraded acoustic architecture with a dedicated high-frequency chamber, ensuring smoother treble.
There’s also Spatial audio with head tracking, providing an immersive surround sound experience. However, this feature is currently compatible only with Pixel Tablet and Pixel phones starting from the Pixel 6 series. Each earbud is equipped with three microphones covered in mesh to effectively reduce wind noise, ensuring clear and uninterrupted calls.
Active Noise Cancellation is where the Pixel Buds Pro 2 emerge like a true champ. The earbuds effectively block all the ambient noise with just a tap. In office surroundings or noisy cafes, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 can cut all the outside chatter with relative ease. The transparency mode also works really well, in case you don’t want to actively block all the noise.
It is 2024 and it is a Google product, so something will be amiss if we don’t talk about AI. Like most other Google apps and services, the Buds Pro 2 have Gemini AI integration. A simple squeeze of the earbuds activates the AI assistant, allowing you to ask questions and receive follow-up responses. While this feature is useful for quick queries, it can be less efficient for multiple questions.
Gemini Live can be activated using a wake phrase like "Hey, Google, let's talk." Although this feature holds great promise, it is currently limited in its capabilities. Tasks such as sending messages or making calls are not yet supported. While the Pixel Buds Pro offer a glimpse into the future of AI interaction, there's still room for improvement.
In terms of battery life, Google claims that these earbuds can last eight hours on a single charge with ANC and 12 hours without ANC. In my experience, these claims were spot on and the battery life is really good on the Buds Pro 2.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review: Should you buy them?
When it comes to earbuds that tick all the boxes, the new Pixel Buds Pro 2 are hard to beat. The noise cancellation works great, call quality is really good and sound output is up there with the best. Yes, they are priced at Rs 22,900 but they are really good and don't feel overpriced at all.
For Android users looking to go high-end, these earbuds are the crème de la crème. If you’re in the market for a pair of earbuds that do it all, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a no-brainer.
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