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The Pixel Buds Pro 2 may have AI, but that’s hardly the best feature
The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are excellent noise canceling earbuds. Like the AirPods to Apple, the Pixel Buds series are the default for Google Pixel phone owners. While some Google fans love Gemini’s integration, I’m more excited about pedestrian features. The improved fit, battery life, and Bluetooth updates impact me more than Google’s AI assistant.
1) Reduced size, improved fit
Google shrunk its latest flagship earbuds, making them 27% smaller and 24% lighter than the previous generation. That, paired with the ovalesque nozel and soft rubber ear fin, make these the most comfortable Pixel Buds yet. The ear fins are great for athletes. When you don’t need such a snug fit, you can untwist the buds in your ears to loosen their grip.
One of my biggest gripes with the original Pixel Buds relates to the fit. The Pixel Buds Pro’s fit feels tenuous even though they never fall out of place. On top of that, I consistently have to readjust the buds after using the touch controls to adjust volume. Others have run into the same issue, which no longer exists on the second-generation Pixel Buds Pro.
Not only does the improved fit make the new buds extra comfortable, but it also contributes to the improved active noise cancelation (ANC) and isolation of the new Pixel Buds Pro 2 compared to the original buds.
2) Battery battery life
Thanks to Google’s new Tensor A1 chip housed in the Pixel Buds Pro 2, the newer earbuds have an 11% battery life improvement over their predecessor. In other words, the second-gen Pixel Buds Pro 2 last 7 hours and 55 minutes, while the Pixel Buds Pro last 7 hours and 6 minutes with ANC on. While this isn’t a groundbreaking improvement, it’s impressive that Google’s flagship buds have such good ANC and long battery life. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 last far longer than the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) (5 hours and 43 minutes) but can’t keep up with the Sony WF-1000XM5 (9 hours and 32 minutes).
3) New Bluetooth version
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 use Bluetooth 5.4 to connect to your device. Unlike the Pixel Buds Pro (Bluetooth 5.0), the second-gen flagship buds will presumably get LC3 (Low Complexity Communication Codec) support. Should this come to fruition, it will benefit transmission efficiency and connection stability. Now that the Pixel Buds Pro line can feasibly support LC3 audio, the possibilities are endless. LC3 will easily let you wirelessly daisy-chain music with your friends no matter your device. It will also be a huge boon for those with hearing impairments thanks to Auracast compatibility.
As my colleague Chris said in his review, Google is tight-lipped about Auracast support. The company’s coy approach to Auracast is surprising, but he and I agree that this should change as Auracast becomes the norm in the next few years. Once that happens, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 will allow listeners to connect their earbuds directly to an audio stream. At a sporting event, you could hear the broadcast directly through the earbuds, cutting through the stadium din. Of course, part of the joy of sporting events is the ambient noise, but this will be a welcome feature for certain audiences.
What are the AI features of the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2?
Based on the heavy-handed AI marketing buzz around the Pixel Buds Pro 2, you’d think these new buds would rid the need for any human connection. While AI is everywhere and the initialism is almost meaningless, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 have useful AI-powered features like natural conversation with Gemini.
Unlike using Google Assistant, which offers support in a syncopated conversational fashion, Gemini can have a more human-like conversation with you. You can interrupt the AI as it responds to you. Gemini will then calibrate its response based on what you say during the interruption. This is quite cool, but I’m not as jazzed about it as others. Then again, I rarely invoke the powers of Google Assistant or Siri as is, and don’t see that changing much with Gemini or other companies’ AI assistants to follow.
How do you feel about AI features in the Pixel Buds Pro 2?
Frequently asked questions about the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Yes, the Google Pixel Buds series supports live translation. To get this feature, you need the Google Assistant app, Google Translate app, and a device running Android 6.0 or later.
You can activate noise canceling on the Pixel Buds Pro 2 with a quick tap on the left earbud. Opening the Pixel Buds app and navigating to the “Noise Cancellation” section does the same thing. Finally, you can ask Google Assistant or Gemini to enable ANC for you.