Google has also launched the Pixel Buds Pro 2 in India, which, like the Pixel 9 phones, come with significant improvements, featuring good sound quality and effective active noise cancellation (ANC). The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are equipped with the Tensor A1 chip and support spatial sound. They are available in India for ₹22,900. Recently, in a review of the Pixel Watch 3, it was noted that Google seems to be excelling with its Pixel devices this year. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 have been described as some of the best earbuds available, particularly for those who already own a Pixel phone.
The Buds Pro 2 have a price tag of ₹22,900, which is justified by their quality sound and robust ANC. This is especially notable for users pairing them with a Pixel phone, although there are some limitations. Upon unboxing, the design of the earbuds, particularly the oblong case, was likened to a character from Pixar, giving off a cute and minimalist aesthetic that aligns with Google's design philosophy for their devices this year.
Available in four colors, including Hazel, Wintergreen, and Peony, the Buds Pro 2 come in an off-white case for all variants. The design is clean, with no prominent branding, featuring a Bluetooth button for connectivity, a USB-C port, and a tiny speaker grill for locating the buds through the Find My Device feature. The earbuds are designed for comfort, with a fit aided by a "twist-to-adjust stabilizer," allowing them to lock securely in the ear. This snug fit, combined with their lightweight design, makes them comfortable to wear for extended periods.
For users of Pixel phones, the Buds Pro 2 provide an enhanced experience with features like spatial audio. When tested with both the Pixel 9 and the iPhone 16, the setup was straightforward. However, the Buds connect to the iPhone simply as Bluetooth earbuds, whereas with the Pixel phone, users can access an accompanying app to customize touch controls and equalizer settings. The Gemini Live AI support tool functions exclusively with Pixel devices.
During testing, particularly while watching movies like Wall-E, the audio quality, especially the spatial sound, was impressive. The immersive experience was reflected across various media, enhancing the listening experience for different genres of music.
The incorporation of the Tensor A1 chip enables effective ANC. While it may not be the absolute best compared to some higher-end headphones, the Buds Pro 2 perform remarkably well as earbuds, especially when paired with a Pixel phone. Even in noisy environments, such as media offices, the ANC effectively dampened background noise. However, when used with non-Pixel devices, the ANC was slightly less effective. The transparency mode is another standout feature, automatically reducing ANC when a user begins speaking, allowing for natural conversation.
Gemini Live AI is also featured in the Buds Pro 2, enabling interaction through touch controls. However, the implementation was noted to be somewhat inconsistent, with the AI sometimes failing to respond. The dual AI system—Gemini Live and Google Assistant—also created some confusion. Google Assistant, activated with "OK Google," requires the connected phone to be unlocked for web searches.
Battery life is another strong point, with Google promising 12 hours of usage with ANC off and 8 hours with it on. In practice, the Buds Pro 2 lived up to these expectations, with users typically charging them daily or every few days depending on usage patterns.
In summary, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 represent a significant improvement over their predecessors. They are lightweight, offer a snug and comfortable fit, support spatial audio, and deliver good audio quality with improved ANC. They are highly recommended for Pixel phone users, although the experience may be limited on other Android devices or with iPhones. Overall, they are a strong contender in the current earbuds market.
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