After many months of waiting, Google Pixel buds 2 wireless buds are here with improved sound quality. The new Pixel earbuds are comfortable to wear and execute their core features more sensibly than their predecessor. They are priced at $179 but face a lot of competition from competitors like Apple, Samsung, Sony, etc. However, we have to dig in deeper and see for ourselves whether all the hype about them is worth it or not.
A number of questions have to be answered before making a decisions to buy these earbuds. What are Google Pixel Buds 2? How is their Battery life? Does it have good connectivity and audio performance? Should you really buy them? Here is everything you need to know before picking them as the right earbuds for you.
Google Pixel Buds 2 – Everything you need to know
Better Design
Google Pixel Buds 2 are way ahead of the original Pixel Buds, which made their debut in November 2017. Google has come up with a new design, permanently ditching wired connectivity in its earbuds. They now have a much better design that fits better with users’ ears.
The exterior resembles the original Pixel Buds and has the G-branding on its touch-sensitive surfaces. They come equipped with the dual IR-sensors that can detect whether when the buds are in your ear, allowing them to automatically pause music when they are not. Furthermore, they have motion-detecting gyroscopes and accelerometer. It is possible that Google may include fitness tracking and augmented AR/VR applications for using along with these sensors, however, nothing has been announced yet.
Features: Bluetooth, Battery, and Connectivity
Google’s new earbuds support Bluetooth 5.0. Google claims that users will be able to “run the length of a football field without losing connection from their phone”. According to Google’s senior vice president of Devices & Services, Rick Osterloh, “the upgraded earbuds come with an incredibly long-range Bluetooth connection, making it possible, for example, to leave your phone in your locker at the gym and still be able to listen to your music wirelessly.”
Google is also introducing “Fast Pair” for all Android 6.0 and Pixel devices. This allows quick and seamless pairing between the earbuds and Android phones. Users can now use their phones to locate their Bluetooth headphones, check their battery percentage, and also rename them so they come with a friendlier handle. i.e. Chris’s Pixel buds instead of just Pixel Buds.
Battery life is 5 hours with the Buds alone, and up to 24 hours with the wireless charging case – the same as Apple’s AirPods. The Buds are also IPX4 rated for water resistance, providing enough protection for sweaty workouts.
Audio Performance
Audio is undoubtedly the only factor that matters while picking out headphones. Pixel buds 2 are equipped with custom-designed 12mm dynamic drivers that provide a very sharp and vibrant sound experience to users. These drivers use a lot of air to create vibrations and are very compact in size.
On the other hand, phone calls while using Pixel Buds 2 should be better as an accelerometer detects when the user is talking, making sure that maximum background noise is cancelled.
Adaptive sound is another new feature that will let Google adjust the volume on your buds based on your surroundings.
“Ok Google”
Pixel Buds 2 are Google’s first earbuds equipped with built-in Google Assistant. This means that users can quickly communicate with the assistant, hands-free, by simply saying “Hey Google” or “OK Google”. It can then assist you by answering your questions, making calls, sending text messages, or playing music.
Furthermore, Google also says that its new earbuds will now be able to handle language translations – a feature observed in the original Pixel earbuds but not without Google’s translation app.
Price and Availability
Google Pixel Buds are available for $179 in white. The company plans to release new colors over the coming months which include Almost Black, Quite Mint and Oh So Orange. Availability around the world has been slow so far, with Google Store showing a waiting list in many countries.
Competitors
There are several competitors in the market, offering much better specs than Google. Pixel Buds 2’s battery life seems mediocre when compared to competing devices like Samsung Galaxy Buds, which can run for up to 11 hours. They are also more expensive than alternatives, which provide a similar set of features for a cheaper cost.
Google has also opened up “Fast Pair” in Android to other earbuds, so you can get instant connectivity and detailed information for other devices too.
Google is far behind when it comes to making improvements to its earbuds. In the meanwhile, competitors like Apple are already set to start mass production of the third-generation AirPods sometime around next year.
Conclusion
Google’s new earbuds are fully equipped with all the necessary features an Android user can ask for. The improved audio quality and design are a major upgrade for Google. However, there are other brands in the market offering much better battery life and noise cancellation abilities. However, all users look for a pair of earbuds that work exactly as they expect them to, when connected to their phone – and the Pixel Buds 2 is capable of establishing that rhythm with Android users. There are many other options available for Android users but Google is gradually stepping up their game and making updates that are important for a pleasant user experience.
