It’s been a two-year wait, but Google has finally introduced the Pixel Buds Pro 2, the latest in its flagship line of earbuds. The new Pixel Buds Pro 2 has several improvements, including better sound quality, a more comfortable fit, enhanced active noise cancellation (ANC), and, as you might expect, AI integration.
Retaining the familiar design with notable improvements
While the Pixel Buds Pro 2 keep the bean-like design of their predecessors, there are some significant upgrades. Google has made these new earbuds 24% lighter and 27% smaller. The compact size and weight reduction are thanks to insights gained from analysing 45 million ear scans—a staggering number. These scans have helped Google refine the shape of the earbuds, resulting in a more secure fit. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 also features a “twist-to-adjust stabiliser,” designed to keep the earbuds in place more effectively. To cater to different ear sizes, the earbuds come with four different ear tips, making finding a pair that fits comfortably easier.
Powering up with the Tensor A1 chip and AI capabilities
At the heart of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is the Tensor A1 chip, which handles music processing and the active noise cancellation feature. According to Google, this chip provides a dedicated processing path for audio, ensuring that your music is “clear, balanced, and better than ever.” The Tensor A1 chip is also responsible for the ANC, which Google says analyses environmental noise up to 3 million times per second. Combined with the improved fit, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 can reportedly cancel out twice as much noise as their predecessors.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 integrates seamlessly with Google’s Gemini AI service. With Gemini, you can ask your earbuds for walking directions, set reminders, get song recommendations, and more without needing to unlock your phone. If your phone is unlocked, you can take things a step further by activating Gemini Live, allowing you to engage in real-time conversations with the AI, whether seeking answers to questions or brainstorming new ideas.
Additional features and battery life
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 is compatible with Google’s Find My Device network. This means you can quickly locate your earbuds if they go missing, with the help of a built-in speaker in the charging case that you can activate when searching for them. Speaking of the charging case, the battery life on a single charge is up to 8 hours with ANC turned on, and a total of 30 hours when using the charging case. These figures place the Pixel Buds Pro 2 slightly above average compared to other true wireless earbuds on the market.
The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are priced at S$349 and available for pre-order on the Google Online Store. They will hit retail shelves on September 26, 2024. The earbuds come in four colours: Porcelain, Hazel, Peony, and Wintergreen, giving you a variety of options to suit your style.
