Since its debut in May 2022, the Google Pixel Buds Pro has evolved through firmware updates, new colors, heavy discounts, and eventually a second-generation successor. The product generated 83 news stories between May 2022 and December 2025, and its lifecycle mirrors Google's broader strategy for premium audio. From the original launch to the arrival of Pixel Buds Pro 2, the Pixel Buds Pro has remained a key part of Google's wearable ecosystem.
Key facts at a glance
- The Google Pixel Buds Pro launched in May 2022.
- It received a new firmware update on December 15, 2025.
- The Pixel Buds Pro 2 launched in September 2024.
- Major updates added Conversation Detection, Hearing Wellness, EQ, Noise Control, and Gemini support.
- The original Pixel Buds Pro was discounted to $109.99 in January 2025.
The original Pixel Buds Pro arrives
Google introduced the Pixel Buds Pro in May 2022 as its first premium wireless earbuds. They offered active noise cancellation, transparency mode, wireless charging, and a comfortable in-ear design. Reviewers praised the sound quality and tight integration with Android, while also noting that the ANC could be improved. The product was an instant hit among Pixel owners and quickly became a reference point for Google's wearable lineup. At launch, the earbuds were sold in several colors, and the charging case used a familiar rounded design. The Pixel Buds Pro also supported multipoint connectivity, letting users switch between multiple devices. The early coverage focused on how the earbuds fit into Google's growing family of Pixel hardware, which already included phones, watches, and tablets.
Software updates and feature expansions
In December 2025, Google announced another firmware update for the original Pixel Buds Pro. The announcement came on a Monday evening, signaling that Google was still supporting the first-generation model even after the release of its successor. That support has been a recurring theme. In October 2023, Google rolled out the Pixel Buds Pro 5.9 update with Conversation Detection, a feature that automatically paused music and enabled transparency when the earbuds detected the wearer speaking. The same update brought Hearing Wellness tools, which included hearing tests and audio adjustments. The Pixel Buds app also prepared users for these features. A few weeks earlier, app teardowns hinted at Hearing Wellness and Conversation Detection. Google officially confirmed the features at its Made by Google event in October 2023.
In December 2023, Google officially announced Assistant Quick Phrases for Pixel Buds Pro. This allowed users to answer calls and manage timers or alarms without saying Hey Google. In September 2024, after Pixel Buds Pro 2 launched, Google rolled out Noise Control to the Android 15 volume menu. This new system-level menu let Pixel Buds Pro owners switch between noise cancellation and transparency modes without opening the Pixel Buds app. Pixel Buds Pro first gained EQ settings months after launch, and the feature carried over to Pixel Buds Pro 2. Users could choose from presets or adjust the five-band equalizer to tune the sound profile. In addition, Google introduced a Pixel Buds web app for Chromebooks, making it possible to manage settings from a browser.
Not every update was welcome. In September 2024, some Pixel Buds Pro owners were prompted that touch and hold gestures would no longer read notifications. The change was part of Google's broader audio assistant updates and left some users looking for new ways to hear incoming messages. The story showed that even mature products can undergo surprising behavior changes as Google refines its assistant strategy.
The road to Pixel Buds Pro 2
Rumors about the Pixel Buds Pro 2 circulated long before the product appeared. In March 2024, sources reported that Google was developing the next-generation earbuds alongside a larger 45mm Pixel Watch 3. A supposed regulatory listing later revealed battery information for the charging case, though it did not offer much useful detail. Google finally launched Pixel Buds Pro 2 in September 2024. The new model replaced the original Pixel Buds Pro, which had arrived in 2022. Many media articles compared the two models to determine whether the upgrades were enough. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 added a smaller design, improved ANC, and better battery life, while retaining the software features that made the original popular. The original model was discontinued from the Google Store after the successor arrived.
The comparison between the original and the new model became a major topic in the fall of 2024. Video reviews and written guides helped buyers decide whether it was worth upgrading. The key takeaway was that the Pixel Buds Pro 2 offered meaningful improvements but the original remained a good option for budget-conscious Pixel owners, especially when it appeared on clearance.
Availability, colors, and deals
The original Pixel Buds Pro got a major refresh in October 2023 with two new colors, Bay Blue and Porcelain, designed to match Google's newest Pixel phones. The Google Store also started selling replacement charging cases in October 2023, a welcome move for users who had lost or damaged their cases. In September 2023, Google sent out 40 percent off discount codes for the Pixel Buds Pro and Pixel Buds A-Series. The discounted prices were available to select customers, driving a wave of new purchases just before the holiday season. Later, Google Store discounts brought the Pixel Buds Pro down alongside deals on the Pixel Tablet and Pixel Watch. By January 2025, the original Pixel Buds Pro was being sold for $109.99 at Woot, representing almost 50 percent off the original price. That clearance sale marked one of the best ways to buy the first-generation model after it had been removed from Google's official storefront.
Assistant, Gemini, and Find My Device
Google Assistant was central to the Pixel Buds Pro experience from the very beginning. In February 2024, a detailed commentary described using Gemini on the phone while keeping Google Assistant in the earbuds, noting that the balance worked surprisingly well. In September 2024, Google confirmed that Gemini would come to all Pixel Buds, including the original Pixel Buds Pro, the Pixel Buds A-Series, and newer models. That move opened the door to large language model-powered assistance from Bluetooth earbuds. Google also brought the new Find My Device network to the Pixel Buds Pro. In April 2024, Google announced that the Find My Device network could locate devices even when they were offline. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro could even be found when powered off, and support was coming to the Pixel Buds Pro. This made it easier to track down lost earbuds when they were separated from a phone.
By the end of 2023, Google described wearables as being on solid footing across the Pixel portfolio. The Pixel Buds Pro joined the Pixel Watch and Pixel Tablet in a lineup that blended phones, tablets, and foldables. The continued support for the original Pixel Buds Pro, plus the launch of Pixel Buds Pro 2, showed that Google was willing to invest in its audio hardware for the long term. With firmware updates still arriving in late 2025, the original Pixel Buds Pro remains a relevant option for Android users who value Google's software integrations, reliable connectivity, and the ability to receive new features years after launch.
Source:9to5Google News