Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 Review: AI-Powered Innovation Meets Premium Sound, But Is It Enough?

With the integration of the Tensor A1 chip and Gemini technology, Google is betting on artificial intelligence to drive the second generation of its premium earbuds. But is this enough to meet the essentials?

When you first encounter the Pixel Buds Pro 2 (priced at €249, €20 more than their predecessors), their more compact design immediately stands out. These true wireless earbuds boast a 24% reduction in weight (4.7g) and a 27% reduction in volume, while maintaining impeccable build quality.

The case, identical in dimensions (49.9 x 63.3 x 25 mm, 65g), remains understated and robust with its IPX4 certification and refined matte finish. A notable new feature is a mini speaker that emits a sound signal if lost, making it easier to find—a well-thought-out functionality. While the case is available in only one color, the earbuds come in four shades: porcelain, sage green, almond green, and peony pink.

Comfortable and Highly Autonomous

Despite their button-like form, these earbuds offer optimal fit thanks to a discreet fin that fits perfectly into the ear’s crevice. A classic design seen with other manufacturers, but still effective, as confirmed during a jogging session where the IP54 certification also proved its worth. Google claims to have studied 45 million ear scans to optimize the earbuds’ design. The result? Remarkable comfort, enhanced by the inclusion of four ear tip sizes that can adapt to a wide range of ear shapes. We wore the Buds Pro 2 for nearly eight hours without discomfort, a challenge they handled with ease. You don’t forget they’re there, though, as their in-ear design makes them feel present, but without causing any pain.

With an advertised battery life of 8 hours with active noise cancellation, we measured a real-world duration of 7 hours and 45 minutes, placing these earbuds among the best on the market. With the case, the total battery life reaches about 30 hours in ANC mode and up to 48 hours without noise cancellation, as the earbuds can last up to 12 hours between charges in that mode. A quick 5-minute charge provides 1.5 hours of listening time. The case can be charged via USB-C or Qi-compatible wireless charging, adding a layer of flexibility.

Limited Customizable Controls

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 retain a well-designed touch interface: swiping forward or backward adjusts the volume. Given the tiny surface area, one might worry about these gestures being poorly recognized, but that’s not the case. The earbuds are very tolerant; in practice, you can swipe your finger up or down, and the volume controls will still be recognized.

You can also use taps to control other functions: a single tap for play/pause, a double tap for the next track, and a triple tap for the previous track. Unfortunately, only the long press can be customized: by default, it controls noise cancellation, but it can also be assigned to trigger Google Assistant.

Gemini Still a Bit Immature

One of the most notable new features is, of course, the integration of Gemini, Google’s artificial intelligence, accessible via the traditional “Hey Google.” With Gemini Live, Google promises a smooth conversational interaction: with the earbuds in, ask any question, and you can discuss the response or ask for further details.

However, our various tests show that this feature still lacks maturity: the responses remain rigid and do not allow for interruptions or natural follow-ups. For now, this gadget isn’t convincing enough to justify a purchase. But given how quickly AI is advancing, with Google being a major player, it’s likely that future updates will bring more flexibility to this feature.

Improved Noise Cancellation

On the other hand, the Tensor A1 chip now embedded in each earbud offers much stronger arguments for choosing them. Through this chip, Google claims to deliver audio processing with very low latency. It analyzes surrounding sounds approximately 3 million times per second, making active noise cancellation twice as effective as the first generation, according to the manufacturer. It’s impossible to confirm if this promise is fully met, but we certainly noted significant progress compared to its predecessors, which were clearly behind the best models on the market.

Here, they come very close, but they still fall slightly short of the best (Sony WF-1000XM5, Bose QuietComfort, or Apple AirPods Pro 2). Low-frequency noises are the most effectively attenuated, which is highly appreciated in noisy environments like streets or public transport. Unfortunately, mid-range frequencies aren’t filtered enough to create that “bubble of silence” effect. In an open office, for example, voices remain audible enough to be distracting. Transparency mode, however, is better executed; it’s quite natural and spatializes the environment well, allowing you to perceive, for instance, whether a car is approaching from the right or left. Another plus is that the microphones handle wind noise very well, preventing it from reaching your ears.

One of the Best Hands-Free Kits

But the Tensor A1 chip has another major advantage: the quality of hands-free calls thanks to the “Clear Calling” feature. Note, however, that this is only available with Google smartphones starting from the Pixel 7 and must be activated in the “Sound & Vibration” settings. Google excels here, making even a call on a busy street very pleasant: despite the noise of vehicles and honking, the other party hears you perfectly, and vice versa.

Spatial audio and head tracking are also only available on certain Pixel smartphones. Google is somewhat stingy on this point: the feature is compatible with Pixel 6 and 6 Pro but not with the A-series models. We verified this on a Pixel 8a, where the spatial audio option simply doesn’t appear in the settings.

Still Room for Improvement in Audio Quality

Audio quality takes a leap forward, aided by the now-indispensable Tensor A1 chip, which analyzes audio signal feedback within the ear canal using an internal microphone. This is a system also found in other high-end models. While the improvements are notable, such as in the overall balance of the audio signal, the 11mm transducers used here have some flaws.

First, there’s a lack of sharpness; rough textures, like distortion on a guitar, seem softened due to the absence of some details. The soundstage is well spatialized, but the left and right channels lack cohesion and feel a bit too separated to convey true grandeur. Nonetheless, Google generally masters its craft and still delivers a very good audio experience.