Ahead of the upcoming Made by Google event, a new Pixel Buds Pro 2 leak has emerged that shows off several specs, including a key hardware component.
Well-known industry leaker MysteryLupin on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) claims the devices will feature a Tensor A1 chip, which offers improved active noise cancellation (ANC) and is rumored to be twice as powerful as the previous generation.
In our review of the original Pixel Buds Pro, we found the performance of the active noise cancellation to be “respectable.” However, not everyone is of the same opinion, with numerous online forums complaining that the feature is “incredibly disappointing” or unreliable. The older model has a custom processor, but its performance appears to have fallen short of expectations in the eyes of users.
Presumably, Google's Tensor A1 will address these criticisms, though it's hard to say for sure whether or not it will succeed without trying out the earbuds ourselves.
Additionally, we don't know if the chip will only power active noise cancellation or if it will also be used to power other aspects of the Pixel Buds Pro 2. MysteryLupin didn't go into further details.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 – Conversation Detection – Tensor A1 chip powers 2x Active Noise Cancellation – Seamlessly pair with your Pixel (watch, tablet, phone) – 30 hours of listening time with the case and 8 hours without it pic.twitter.com/d3dR4H2R9BAugust 12, 2024
Decreased battery life
They go on to reveal that the Buds Pro 2 may have a shorter battery life, maxing out at eight hours and 30 hours with the case. In comparison, the previous generation could hit 31 hours with the case and 11 hours without. We saw a concern online regarding this number: Does the new battery life take into account an active ANC or is it turned off? Most likely the former, as the numbers are very close to each other.
MysteryLupin also mentions a couple of returning features. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 should be able to “seamlessly connect” with other top-of-the-line devices like the Pixel Watch 2. This is likely a reference to Google’s Fast Pair. Conversation detection is back, allowing the earbuds to pause music and switch to transparency mode when they detect someone speaking to you.
The leaker ends his post by saying that the upcoming earbuds will retail for $229, £219 or €249. This information matches other claims from previous rumours, so there may be some validity to it.
Music Tracking
Separately, 9To5Google found a product listing for the Pixel Buds Pro 2 on British online retail platform Very. The page is no longer available, though the publication did manage to save a few screenshots. Most of the details mirror what MysteryLupin reported, though they do reveal two more features.
First off, the listing notes that the devices feature a “twist-to-adjust stabilizing wing,” which allows you to physically “lock” the earbuds in place so they don’t move around. Additionally, the Pixel Buds app will be getting an update that will let you know “how loud you’ve been listening to music over time.”
He or she will recommend that you make adjustments to the volume to maintain your “hearing health.” You don't want to have hearing problems because you can't stop listening to your favorite songs.
As always, take this information with a grain of salt. Things can change at any time. The next Google event starts tomorrow, August 13, at the time of publishing this story. Everything will be revealed very soon.
While you wait, check out TechRadr's list of the best headphones of 2024.
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