Summary
By now, you probably know about the Google Pixel 11 series and the new Pixel Watch 5, which were announced at a Made by Google event last week. Before the official unveiling, I was curious to know whether we’d see a new pair of Pixel Buds debut alongside the phones and watches. Although we just saw the Pixel Buds 2a come out last October, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are coming up on two years old. We’ve seen new colorways since then, but not a fresh Pro model. It turns out, Google didn’t unveil Pixel Buds Pro 3 at this year’s Pixel event — it did something even better.
There’s a software update coming for the Pixel Buds Pro 2 next month, and it adds incredible features I surely thought Google would’ve saved for the Pixel Buds Pro 3. Instead, they’re coming to all Pixel Buds Pro 2 users. They tie the Pixel ecosystem together, making it easier to use Pixel Buds Pro 2 with other Google hardware and Gemini software. If you haven’t picked up a pair of Pixel Buds Pro 2 yet, this is your sign to do so. For the second year in a row, Google opted to give the Pixel Buds Pro 2 a free software boost instead of trying to sell you a new model, and I couldn’t be happier.
Earbuds have a problem, and Google’s trying to fix it
A bad seal will destroy the ANC quality… or will it?
Fit and comfort are two of the important aspects of wireless earbuds. A pair of buds can sound great, cancel out a lot of noise, and pack impressive features, but none of that matters if they don’t fit securely and comfortably in your ears. Aside from comfort and fatigue concerns, there’s a technical reason why a secure fit is crucial for wireless earbuds. A poor seal lets unwanted environmental noise in and the sounds coming from the audio drivers out. For active noise-canceling earbuds, a proper seal is absolutely necessary for ideal performance.
I personally find the Pixel Buds Pro 2 to be some of the most comfortable earbuds on the market. There’s no stem, and the tiny buds rest securely in your ear thanks to silicone stabilizers. The “G” logo on the earbuds helps you find the perfect fit. Insert the buds into your ears and twist them into place. When the “G” is upright, you know the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are properly secured. This intuitive design makes the Pixel Buds Pro 2 more enjoyable to wear than, say, AirPods or Samsung Galaxy Buds.
Finding the right fit for earbuds is relatively easy in the beginning. Many earbuds have a software test that helps you confirm you’re wearing the right ear tip size to create the best seal. This is called the Ear Tip Seal Check on the Pixel Buds Pro 2. However, as you wear your earbuds, they’re going to shift over time. This is especially true during activities like walking or running. A subtle shift in earbud fit can tank ANC quality, and this is the problem Google is trying to solve with the latest Pixel Buds Pro 2 update.
Google is adding a feature to the Pixel Buds Pro 2 called Dynamic ANC, not to be confused with the existing Adaptive Audio feature. Dynamic ANC can “adjust to compensate when subtle shifts in the seal happen, so you still get powerful noise cancellation.” Essentially, it’s using software algorithms and the Google Tensor A1 chip to identify and compensate for shifts in your earbuds’ fit. It builds upon Google’s Silent Seal 2.0 tech, which helps the Pixel Buds Pro 2 cancel out twice as much noise as the original Pixel Buds Pro. With Dynamic ANC on the way, they’re sure to block out even more unwanted sounds.
Pixel Buds Pro 2 are tying the ecosystem together
Your earbuds will automatically pause when your Pixel Watch detects sleep
Google’s Pixel family is quietly becoming one of the strongest ecosystems in mobile tech. Pixel phones, tablets, watches, and earbuds all work better together, and that’s without even factoring in Google’s robust Home and Nest smart home gadgets. Well, Google is making the experience of using Pixel Buds Pro 2 with Pixel phones and smartwatches better with the new update. It’s adding a feature so useful, I can’t believe Apple or Samsung hasn’t done it already.
It’s called Pixel Watch sleep sync, and it uses your smartwatch’s sensors to detect when you’ve fallen asleep, sharing your sleep status with your Pixel Buds Pro 2. This is helpful for people who wear their Pixel Buds Pro 2 to sleep, but don’t want to listen to music all night or be interrupted by announced notifications. With this feature active, your Pixel Buds Pro 2 pauses the music, turns off gesture control, and silences notifications as soon as your Pixel Watch notices you’ve fallen asleep. Theoretically, this will also preserve your Pixel Buds Pro 2 battery life, as the earbuds won’t waste charge playing music or a podcast after you’ve already drifted off.
I’ve tried plenty of phones and earbuds with sleep timers that stop the music after a certain amount of time has passed. This works alright, but it requires you to guess how long it’ll take you to pass out. For people that struggle to fall asleep, it’s not an exact silence. That’s why the Pixel Watch sleep sync feature makes perfect sense. The smartwatch on your wrist already knows when you’ve fallen asleep, so why not share that information with your Pixel phone and earbuds?
The update also enhances live translation for Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds, supporting over 70 languages. The earbuds work with your Pixel phone, playing the translation of your response back to the person you’re communicating with.
Google gave us something better than Pixel Buds Pro 3
It keeps updating the Pixel Buds Pro 2, without charging a dollar
I was hoping to see Pixel Buds Pro 3 at the recent Made by Google account, but the upcoming Pixel Buds Pro 2 update is better than a new pair of buds. You’ll get all the above updates, plus Gemini audio control for the on-earbud EQ, as a free software boost next month. I already think Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a great value — they’re regularly priced under $190 with discounts — and the pace at which Google is rolling out software upgrades makes the earbuds an even better one.
If you recall, this isn’t the first time Google gave the Pixel Buds Pro 2 a major upgrade. Around this time last year, Google brought Adaptive Audio, Loud Noise Protection, Gemini Live, and head gestures to Pixel Buds Pro 2. This update isn’t a fluke; it’s the latest piece of evidence that Pixel Buds Pro 2 are the best earbuds for Pixel owners.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
- Supported codecs
- SBC, AAC, Opus
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 5.4
- Driver Size
- 11mm drivers The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are designed for maximum comfort and a secure fit, featuring the new Tensor A1 chip for advanced audio processing and enhanced battery life. They offer Silent Seal 2.0 for superior noise cancelation, improved Clear Calling, and seamless integration with other Pixel devices, making them the best earbuds for Pixel users.