Google's Pixel Buds Pro have seen a steady stream of updates since their launch in 2022, evolving from a premium wireless earbud option into a platform for innovative features like noise control, AI integration, and improved audio quality. This roundup covers the most significant news stories from May 2022 through December 2025, including firmware updates, clearance sales, and the introduction of the Pixel Buds Pro 2.
December 2025 Firmware Update
In mid-December 2025, Google announced a new firmware update for the original Pixel Buds Pro. The update was rolled out over the air and included performance enhancements and bug fixes. While specific changelog details were sparse, users reported improved connectivity and battery optimization. The update was notable because it came more than a year after the Pixel Buds Pro 2 launched, showing ongoing support for the first-generation model.
January 2025 Clearance Sale
After the release of the Pixel Buds Pro 2, Google stopped selling the original Pixel Buds Pro through its own store. However, third-party retailers like Woot began offering steep discounts. In January 2025, a clearance sale saw the original Pixel Buds Pro priced at $109.99, nearly 50% off the original retail price. This made the earbuds an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers who wanted high-quality ANC and Google Assistant integration without paying for the latest model.
Noise Control and Android 15 Volume Menu
In late September 2024, Google rolled out a new Noise Control feature that integrated with the Android 15 Volume menu. This allowed users to adjust noise cancellation and transparency modes directly from the phone's volume panel, without needing to open the Pixel Buds app. The feature was first announced alongside the Pixel Buds Pro 2 launch, but became available for all compatible Pixel Buds Pros running the latest firmware. The update enhanced user convenience, especially for those who frequently toggle between ANC and ambient sound.
EQ Settings and Sound Personalization
EQ settings were a long-awaited addition to the Pixel Buds Pro. Initially missing at launch, Google added a full equalizer through a software update in late 2023. By September 2024, with the Pixel Buds Pro 2 arriving, users could adjust bass, treble, and midrange using a simple slider interface. A how-to guide published in late September 2024 detailed the steps to change EQ settings, enabling users to tailor the sound signature to their preferences—whether for podcasts or music. The equalizer also included presets like 'Balanced', 'Bass Boost', and 'Treble Boost'.
Pixel Buds Pro 2: Upgrades and Comparison
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 launched in early September 2024, replacing the original Pixel Buds Pro after a two-year run. A direct comparison video and article highlighted key upgrades: improved active noise cancellation (ANC), a more comfortable design with slightly smaller earbuds, longer battery life (8 hours with ANC on), and support for spatial audio with head tracking. The charging case retained the same form factor but gained a louder speaker for Find My Device alerts. Google also introduced new colors: Bay Blue and Porcelain. The original model, however, retained a more affordable price point and received some software features from the newer model, such as Gemini integration.
Gemini AI Integration on All Pixel Buds
A major announcement in late September 2024 confirmed that Gemini, Google's large language model, would be coming to all Pixel Buds—including the A-Series, original Buds Pro, and Buds Pro 2. This allowed users to interact with Gemini hands-free through their earbuds. For example, users could ask for summaries, set reminders, or get detailed answers to questions without touching their phone. The feature required a Google account and the Gemini app on the connected device. Early adopters reported that Gemini's conversational abilities were superior to the previous Google Assistant, especially for complex queries.
Changes to Touch and Hold Gestures
In September 2024, some Pixel Buds Pro owners noticed a change: the 'touch and hold' gesture no longer read notifications aloud. Google had quietly altered the behavior, likely to accommodate new gesture controls for Gemini and noise modes. Users who relied on the gesture for quick notification reading had to adjust, though the feature could still be accessed through the Google Assistant. The change was met with mixed reactions, but Google stated it was part of an optimization to improve overall gesture responsiveness.
Pixel Buds Pro 2 Battery Details
In April 2024, a supposed regulatory listing revealed battery capacity details for the Pixel Buds Pro 2 case: a 650mAh cell—similar to the original. However, the listing did not provide information on earbud battery capacities or charging speeds. Despite the lack of concrete data, analysts noted that the case capacity suggested similar battery life expectations to the first generation. The original Pixel Buds Pro offered about 7 hours without ANC and 6 hours with ANC, with the case providing an additional 20 hours. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 improved on those numbers slightly.
Find My Device and Pixel 8 Integration
Google's expanded Find My Device network, announced in April 2024, brought new capabilities to Pixel devices. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro could be located even when turned off, thanks to a dedicated chip. For Pixel Buds Pro, the network supported locating the buds and case through Bluetooth proximity, but the 'offline' finding feature was limited to newer hardware. The update also allowed users to ring the earbuds even if they were disconnected from the phone, provided they were within range. This was a welcome improvement for those frequently misplacing their earbuds.
Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Buds Pro 2 Development
In March 2024, sources revealed that Google was developing a 45mm version of the Pixel Watch 3 and confirmed the existence of the Pixel Buds Pro 2. The larger watch size aimed to compete with other flagship wearables, while the new earbuds were expected to feature upgraded ANC, better microphones, and tighter integration with the Pixel ecosystem. The leaks proved accurate when both products launched later that year.
Gemini on Phone, Google Assistant in Ears
In February 2024, an editorial noted a shift in behavior: users were increasingly relying on Gemini on their phones for complex tasks while still using Google Assistant through Pixel Buds Pro for quick commands like setting timers or skipping tracks. This hybrid approach balanced the strengths of both assistants. The article suggested that Google's long-term strategy might be to merge the two, but for now, the split offered convenience.
Year in Review: 2023 for Pixel Buds Pro
At the end of 2023, a retrospective praised the Pixel Buds Pro for cementing Google's presence in the wearable market. Throughout the year, the earbuds received several major software updates, including Quick Phrases (allowing hands-free responses to timers and calls without saying 'Hey Google'), Conversation Detection (which automatically paused audio and enabled transparency when you started speaking), and Hearing Wellness (which monitored volume exposure). The addition of two new colors—Porcelain and Sky Blue—in October 2023 refreshed the lineup ahead of the Pixel 8 launch. Despite still lacking a dedicated sequel in 2023, the Pixel Buds Pro proved to be a solid foundation for Google's audio ambitions.
Quick Phrases and Conversation Detection
Quick Phrases launched officially in December 2023, letting users answer calls or stop alarms without invoking the hotword. Conversation Detection came later as part of the 5.9 firmware update in October 2023, which was rolled out widely after being previewed at the Made by Google event. The feature used accelerometer and microphone data to detect when the user started speaking, automatically lowering volume and switching to transparency mode. Once the conversation ended, audio resumed. This proved useful in quick interactions like ordering coffee or asking for directions.
The Case for Better ANC
By November 2023, many reviewers noted that while the Pixel Buds Pro were excellent for voice calls and Google Assistant integration, their ANC performance lagged behind competitors like Sony and Apple. An editorial argued that the next generation needed significant ANC improvements to remain competitive. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 addressed this with a redesigned processor and tighter acoustic seal, offering a noticeable upgrade in noise isolation.
Discounts and Store Deals
Throughout late 2023, the Google Store offered various promotions. In October, the Pixel Tablet dropped to $399, the original Pixel Watch to $199.99, and the Pixel Buds Pro saw periodic discounts. A 40% off coupon was emailed to select customers in September 2023, applying to both the Pixel Buds Pro and the A-Series. These deals helped clear inventory ahead of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 launch the following year.
Replacement Cases and Web App
In October 2023, Google began selling replacement charging cases for the Pixel Buds Pro through its online store. Previously, only individual earbud replacements were available. The case was priced at $49 and could be paired with existing earbuds. Additionally, a Pixel Buds web app launched for Chromebooks and other platforms, allowing users to adjust settings without a phone. The web app included firmware updates, EQ controls, and customization for touch gestures.
New Colors and Software Update
At the October 2023 Made by Google event, Google announced two new colors for the Pixel Buds Pro: Bay Blue and Porcelain. These matched the new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro colorways. The announcement also included a major software update rolling out features like Conversation Detection and Hearing Wellness. Pre-release images of the colors had leaked weeks earlier, showing the design changes were minimal—only the matte finish of the earbuds and case changed.
Pixel Buds App Preparations
In early October 2023, an APK teardown of the Pixel Buds app revealed code strings for Hearing Wellness and Conversation Detection, confirming upcoming features. The app also hinted at a new 'Volume Mode' and improvements to the built-in fit test. These findings aligned with Google's broader push to enhance the Pixel Buds experience through software rather than hardware upgrades in 2023.
Color Leaks and Expectations
Leaked press renders of the new Porcelain and Sky Blue Pixel Buds Pro appeared in late September 2023. The Sky Blue variant was particularly popular, offering a fresh alternative to the existing 'Lemongrass' and 'Fog' colors. The leaks accurately predicted the October launch, building anticipation for the first color refresh since the product's debut.
Overall, the Pixel Buds Pro journey from 2022 to 2025 has been one of continuous improvement. Google has demonstrated a commitment to expanding functionality through firmware updates, responding to user feedback with features like EQ and Conversation Detection, and eventually delivering a worthy successor in the Pixel Buds Pro 2. Whether through deep discounts on the original model or cutting-edge AI integration, the Pixel Buds lineup remains a key part of Google's hardware ecosystem.
Source: 9to5Google News