For some years, Google has been making many hardware products; Pixel brand to be precise. Okay, there are the other hardware lineups like Google Nest and Chromecast with Google TV. But what makes Google so unique with their 'Made for Google' products? The Pixel phones, Pixel earbuds, Pixel Watches and the new addition Pixel Tablet are crafted in a unique design that is just aesthetic for the user.
Back in October, a new lineup of Pixel Products was announced and what I am picking for my first hardware tech review in 2023 is the Pixel Buds Pro. This lineup of Google's earbuds has come a long way in refinements in terms of design, sound and tech internals. The original Pixel Buds from 2017 followed by Pixel Buds 2, then the Pixel Buds A-series and now Pixel Buds Pro which was new specs and colour options.
Initially, the Pixel Buds Pro went on sale in July 2022, now another release is here since October 2023 with new additional colours; Bay, Porcelain and Coral. So I finally got my hands on these earbuds and got to test them out during my weekend errands in the CBD.
Setting up the buds
Upon the first time pairing the earbuds, the Google Fast Pair option pops up on the screen ready to be added to your devices using your Google account. You are also prompted to download the Google Pixel Buds app from the Play Store (also available in the App Store) to tune the earbuds according to the available preferences like adjusting equalizer settings and testing ear tip fitting.
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| This evaluation happens while playing a tune. |
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| Earbuds test complete. |
Design and Build
The earbuds have a compact, glossy design and a snug, comfortable fit. The earbuds are ergonomically shaped, ensuring a secure fit in the ears. The charging case is both compact and stylish, featuring a satisfying magnetic closure and a USB-C port for convenient charging. They are rated IPX4 for water resistance. The case is a slightly less durable IPX2, but at least it has some level of protection.
The first feel in hand is a nice touch, this all-white charging case houses the left and right earbuds with the Charcoal black variant. The design also looks cool and signifies the true Pixel Portfolio Standard.
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| The Charcoal colour variant. |
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| The Pixel Buds Pro in the hand. |
Audio Quality
One of the standout features of the Pixel Buds Pro is its exceptional audio quality. The earbuds deliver rich, well-balanced sound with deep bass, clear mids, and crisp highs. The adaptive sound technology automatically adjusts the volume based on your surroundings, ensuring an optimal listening experience in various environments. The active noise cancellation (ANC) feature effectively blocks out ambient noise, allowing users to immerse themselves in their music or calls.
Immediately when I wear the earbuds, I notice a sudden change in how sound is enclosed to my ears deafening to gradual silence. This is the work of the active noise cancellation, where in its original function, the Transparency mode is on and a filter of some noise passes through the mics before fully immersing into complete silence upon wear.
In some instances, I could hear a bit of a faint noise through the ANC like some street noise and conversations in the room.
Smart Features
Google has integrated several intelligent features into the Pixel Buds Pro. One of them is the real-time translation feature, powered by Google Translate, which is particularly impressive. It allows for seamless communication in different languages, making these earbuds an excellent travel companion.
Additionally, the touch-sensitive controls on the earbuds provide easy access to playback, calls, and the Google Assistant, enhancing the overall user experience.
Battery Life and Connectivity
The Pixel Buds Pro offer a respectable battery life, providing several hours of playback on a single charge. The charging case extends the usage time, and a quick charge feature allows users to enjoy an hour of playback with just a short charging session.
On paper, you can get up to 11 hours of listening time and up to 31 hours with the charging case. The earbuds also support wireless charging using Qi-compatible chargers.
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| App interface |
The earbuds have Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity which ensures a stable and efficient connection, minimizing audio dropouts and lag during use. Using the Multipoint connectivity feature you can go from music on your phone to video calls on your laptop, this works well on either iOS or Android devices.
Minor Details
I did not get to test call quality at the time, but I read from the Google Pixel product page stating that it was excellent call quality, thanks to their beamforming microphones and adaptive sound technology. Whether in a quiet room or a bustling street, the earbuds dynamically adjust the audio input and output to optimize call clarity.
I tested the earbuds on 3 devices: My Samsung Galaxy A22, Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra and the Pixel 7 Pro. When it came to audio consistency, the Galaxy S9 Ultra and Piel 7 Pro handled it well. No audio breakdown, unlike in the Samsung Galaxy A22. This could probably be the audio codec versions that vary with the device. But the perks of owning the Pixel Buds Pro are getting firmware updates to fix audio bugs and connectivity issues.
Verdict
PROS
- Good active noise cancellation
- Perfect Case Design and comfortable earbuds
- Multipoint support
CONS
- No support for advanced Bluetooth codecs
- Mic is still a bit below standard
- Audio breaks and unintended pausing of music or video
Google's Pixel Buds Pro impress with their combination of stellar audio quality, intelligent features, and a sleek design. While they come at a premium price of $199 (about KES 25,000 last time I checked), the overall performance justifies the cost for users seeking a top-tier wireless earbud experience.
With effective noise cancellation, smart translation capabilities, and seamless integration with the Google ecosystem, the Pixel Buds Pro stand out as a compelling choice for audio enthusiasts and tech-savvy users alike.
Thanks to Brian and Ricky for letting me try out the earbuds for my first-ever tech product review. Check out Computer Mart Kenya and on their X handle @computermart_ke for amazing tech deals.
