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Pixel Buds 2 announced: Google finally cut the cord on its famed earbuds
July 16, 2025
Update August 04, 2025 – See ourfull review of the new Pixel Buds (2020).
Google finally cut the cord on its famed earbuds. It now competes directly with the likes of Apple,Sony, andSamsung. Senior Vice President Rick Osterloh championed the Pixel Buds’ long-rangeBluetooth connectioncapabilities. When outside, the earbuds will remain connected to your phone for the length of an American football field. Indoor wireless range is lessened to a three-room distance. This vague descriptor makes sense seeing as there’s much more interference indoors.
TheGoogle Pixel Buds 2feature a svelte design which allows the whimsical housings to sit flush against the ear. A spatial vent at the bottom of each housing lets some ambient noise in, keeping users aware of their surroundings. While we’re awaiting any mention on high-qualityBluetooth codecs, the Pixel Buds will feature adaptive sound. This dynamically adjusts the volume according to your environment, saving you from reaching for your phone.
Beam-forming microphones focus on your voice as you speak while accelerometers detect movement from your jawbone. These technologies work in tandem to reduce background noise transmission. Ideally, this will yield a clear,accurate representationof your voice to the person on the other end of the call. Osterloh posits that the Pixel Buds 2 microphones are effective enough to transmit your voice even if on a bicycle. These features are all reminiscent of theBeats Powerbeats Pro.
Battery life is listed at a reasonable five-hour standalone playback time and the wireless charging case provides extra charges, totaling to 24 hours of listening. Google Pixel Buds 2 retain signature Google features like hands-freeGoogle Assistantaccess and live translation. By uttering, “Hey Google,” you can check notifications, respond to texts, and more.
Google’s promotional video pushed intelligent software and machine learning in thetrue wirelessPixel Buds 2. However, our appetites were only whetted, rather than satiated: we’re awaiting more specifics on how this technology will come into play.
While the Google Pixel Buds 2 don’t leap from the page compared to competitively pricedalternatives, manyPixel 4owners will gravitate toward the ‘buds for the same reason iPhone users are drawn to the AirPods: convenience. ThePixel Buds 2are available in 2020 and will retail for $179.
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