Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 launches with Tensor chip and a more comfortable design but a higher price tag

Google has announced the Pixel Buds Pro 2 as its latest pair of premium earbuds. Unveiled two years after the Pixel Buds Pro, the new pair of earbuds come with a familiar but improved design, a dedicated Tensor chip for better audio performance and AI features, and unfortunately, a higher price tag.

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds retain the mentos-like design of the previous generation albeit with some welcome changes such as a stabilizer that owners can twist to adjust for a comfortable and secure fit. The earbuds are also reportedly 24% lighter and 27% smaller than the Pixel Buds Pro.

On the inside, the Pixel Buds Pro 2's biggest change is the Tensor A1 chip which Google claims provides ultra-low latency audio processing. With the chip, the new earbuds boast active noise cancellation (ANC) that is twice as strong as that of their predecessors. They are also able to cancel more types of noises. The Tensor A1 chip also improves audio output as there's now a dedicated ''highway lane'', separate from that of ANC, for whatever you are listening to.

Another benefit the chip brings is an improvement in battery life despite being smaller. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 has a battery life of 8 hours with ANC on (12 hours with ANC off) and it goes up to a total of 30 hours with the case (48 hours with ANC off). In comparison, the Pixel Buds Pro has a 7-hour battery life with ANC on (11 hours with ANC off) and a total of 20 hours with the case (31 hours with ANC off). The Pixel Buds Pro supports wired and wireless charging, and a 15-minute charge in the case will provide up to 3 hours of listening time.

With AI being an important part of products this year, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds are not left out. There's Gemini to provide users with hands-free and eyes-free help such as directions and reminders. There's also Gemini Live which provides a conversational experience with the AI assistant. Users will be able to have free-flowing conversations with Gemini even with their phone locked.

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 has touch controls for media playback as well as volume controls. There's support for Bluetooth Multipoint, a low-latency gaming mode, spatial audio with head tracking, a transparency mode, and a new feature called Conversation Detection which automatically disables ANC when you speak out loud when talking to someone. The charging case also sports a speaker so you can easily find your earbuds with the Find My Device Network.

While the Pixel Buds Pro launched for $199, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds cost $229 and come in Porcelain, Hazel, Wintergreen, and Peony. They are available for pre-order today and will be released on September 26. Google has pulled the Pixel Buds Pro listing from the Google Store but the cheaper and older Pixel Buds A-series (available on Amazon for $99) is still available for purchase.