Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 may have better active noise cancellation, but it comes at a price
On the eve of the next Made by Google event, a new leak for the Pixel Buds Pro 2 has surfaced, revealing several specs including a key hardware component.
Notable leak in the industry MysteryLupin on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) reports that the devices will feature a Tensor A1 chip, which will deliver improved active noise cancellation (ANC) that is said to be twice as powerful as the previous generation.
In our review of the original Pixel Buds Pro, we found the ANC performance to be “respectable.” Not everyone feels this way, however, as numerous forum posts online complain about the fact that the position is ‘incredibly disappointing’ or unreliableThe old model has a custom processor, but its performance seems to be disappointing in the eyes of users.
Google’s Tensor A1 will likely provide an answer to these criticisms. However, it’s difficult to say for sure whether this will actually be the case without testing the earbuds ourselves.
Additionally, we don’t know if the chip will only improve ANC or if it will also be used to power other aspects of the Pixel Buds Pro 2. MysteryLupin didn’t go into further detail.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 – Call detection – Tensor A1 chip delivers 2X more active noise cancellation – Seamless connection to your Pixel (watch, tablet, phone) – 30 hours of listening time with the case, 8 hours without pic.twitter.com/d3dR4H2R9BAugust 12, 2024
Battery life decreases
They then reveal that the Buds Pro 2 may have a lower battery life, peaking at eight hours and 30 hours with the case on. For comparison, the previous generation could reach 31 hours with the case on and 11 hours without. We saw a concern online about this number: Does the new battery life take into account ANC active, or is it disabled? It’s likely the former, given the closeness of the numbers.
MysteryLupin also mentions a few returning features. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 should be able to “connect seamlessly” with other first-party hardware like the Pixel Watch 2, likely a reference to Google’s Fast Pair. Conversation Detection is also returning, allowing the buds to pause music and enter transparency mode when they detect someone is talking to you.
The leaker ends his post by stating that the upcoming earbuds will retail for $229/£219/€249. This information lines up with other claims from older rumors, so there may be some truth to it.
Follow music
Individual, 9to5Google MysteryLupin Inc. found a product listing for the Pixel Buds Pro 2 on British online retail platform Very. The page has since been removed, though the publication managed to salvage a few screenshots. Most of the details mirror what MysteryLupin reported, though they do reveal two additional features.
First, the listing says the devices will have a “twist-to-adjust stabilizer wing,” which will allow you to physically “lock” the earbuds into place so they don’t jiggle around. Additionally, the Pixel Buds app is getting an update that will allow you to see “how loudly you’ve been listening to music over time.”
It will recommend to adjust the volume to maintain the ‘hearing well-being’. You don’t want to become hearing impaired because you can’t stop listening to your favorite music.
As always, take this information with a grain of salt. Things can change at any moment. Google’s next event starts tomorrow, August 13th, at the time of this story’s publication. All will be revealed soon.
While you wait, check out TechRadr’s list of the best earbuds of 2024.