Google’s refreshed Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer much more than a new color
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are receiving a meaningful upgrade.
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase from the links on this page.
The new update gives you more than a new color to get excited about | Image by Google
The Made by Google event is going live in New York in just a few hours, but we've already got all the details of the new Pixel 11 series, including the brand's latest foldable phone.
Google gives the Pixel Buds Pro 2 a solid software upgrade
The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 in Olive looks great. | Images by Image by Google
Google just refreshed the Pixel Buds Pro 2 with a fancy new color option, Olive. Designed to complement the latest Pixel 11 models, the paint job is the latest addition to the existing Moonstone, Hazel, Peony, and Porcelain options. The new variant launches at the same $229 MSRP and is available starting August 12, 2026.
While the new color is undeniably catchy, it’s far from the most important part of the upgrade. It's what's happening inside that makes this refresh genuinely interesting.
The first major upgrade Google brings to the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is Dynamic ANC. It allows the earbuds to adjust the ANC level when subtle changes in the seal are detected. This feature is exclusive to the Pixel Buds Pro 2.
But there are other fancy upgrades, and the best part is that they’ll also be available on the more affordable Pixel Buds 2a.
While the new color is undeniably catchy, it’s far from the most important part of the upgrade. It's what's happening inside that makes this refresh genuinely interesting.
The first major upgrade Google brings to the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is Dynamic ANC. It allows the earbuds to adjust the ANC level when subtle changes in the seal are detected. This feature is exclusive to the Pixel Buds Pro 2.
Are software updates enough to keep the Pixel Buds Pro 2 fresh?
For instance, users can now adjust audio settings directly with Gemini using voice commands. Other changes include sleep sync with the Pixel Watch, which pauses music, silences notifications, and disables touch controls when you fall asleep, as well as upgraded Live Translate.
Now, users won’t have to go through a (somewhat) lengthy process of setting up the Live Translate feature. Instead, all you need to do is tap your buds to trigger the listening mode. You can also speak to someone in your language, and the Pixel phone plays the translation in their language in near real time.
Google’s translation feature supports more than 70 languages. All of the software upgrades will start rolling out in September.
The big question
These new software tricks are what can truly differentiate the Pixel Buds Pro 2 from the competition. But will they be exclusively available in the Olive color? Put simply, no.
What about the competition?
Google’s new software features help redefine the Pixel Buds Pro 2 beyond a simple audio companion. But its main competitors, the AirPods Pro 3 and the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, still lead the way in one particular area: hearing health.
Apple actually won this race, debuting an FDA-approved hearing health feature on the AirPods Pro 2 back in 2024, while Samsung announced that its own version, called Hearing Aid, has received FDA clearance on August 11, with the feature rolling out in select regions in Q4 2026.
Google, however, has a clear advantage when it comes to live translation. Its Gemini-powered translation features support more than 70 languages, while Apple’s Live Translation supports 10 and Samsung’s Interpreter supports 22 languages.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 in a nutshell
These are the original, 2024-released Pixel Buds Pro 2. | Image by PhoneArena
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 stand out with an extremely lightweight and comfortable design, featuring an IP48 rating. As my colleague Preslav puts it in our review, the earbuds feel just right in the ear. Plus, thanks to the dual ways to wear them, you can wear them effortlessly while commuting or working out without worrying they'll fall out of your ears.
Sound quality is pretty spot-on as well, with Google delivering a balanced audio profile across the frequency range. That means you can listen to various music genres and still get an enjoyable listening experience.
In addition, thanks to their ultra-long playtime of up to eight hours with ANC on, the earbuds can easily get you through a full workday.
To me, adding all of these software features to the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is way more exciting than the earbuds’ new Olive finish. And yet, I can’t help but wonder: isn’t it time for the Pixel Buds Pro 3 to launch already?
At the end of the day, Google announced the Pixel Buds Pro 2 in 2024. We’re looking at two full years of software updates and new features. Still, the underlying hardware remains the same, and you can only do so much without a proper hardware refresh.
In addition, thanks to their ultra-long playtime of up to eight hours with ANC on, the earbuds can easily get you through a full workday.
It's time for the Pixel Buds Pro 3!
To me, adding all of these software features to the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is way more exciting than the earbuds’ new Olive finish. And yet, I can’t help but wonder: isn’t it time for the Pixel Buds Pro 3 to launch already?
At the end of the day, Google announced the Pixel Buds Pro 2 in 2024. We’re looking at two full years of software updates and new features. Still, the underlying hardware remains the same, and you can only do so much without a proper hardware refresh.
Popular stories
Latest News
Things that are NOT allowed:
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts: