New Google Pixel Buds could launch in April – but they’ll need some big improvements
Google’s next wireless earbuds could be on the way soon
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The nextGooglePixel Buds could launch very soon, according to tipster Jon Prosser, whotweetedthat the brand will release newwireless earbudsin April.
Prosser, who has often been proven right in his predictions, also alleges that they’ll be joined soon after by a new Google phone on June 11:
Google stuff:New Pixel Buds coming mid-April. New Google phone scheduled for June 11, 2021. Not sure exactly which one it is just yet. 🤔 🧻🧻🧻🧻🧻 pic.twitter.com/vjOzT4M7nxMarch 5, 2021
The true wirelessGoogle Pixel Buds (2020)launched last year, cutting the cable on thebrand’s original neckbuds.
These new Pixel Buds will presumably improve on the company’s last wireless earbuds – in fact, they’ll have to if Google wants to compete with popular models like theApple AirPods Proand theSony WF-1000XM3.
What we want to see
Aside from Prosser’s tweet, details of the rumored new Pixel Buds are very thin on the ground, but there are a few upgrades we’d like to see from Google’s next earbuds.
For starters, we think Google needs to make some firm improvements to the audio performance of the Pixel Buds, which we found to have an aggressive, fatiguing sound, with a weak bass response.
If Google wants to compete with the likes of the AirPods Pro, it will also need to implement some form of active noise-cancelling technology, which is fast becoming a standard fortrue wireless earbuds.
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A longer battery life wouldn’t go amiss either; the 2020 Pixel Buds come with three hours per charge within theearbudsthemselves, with a further 21 hours provided by the charging case.
While a combined 24-hour battery life isn’t terrible, that three-hour onboard playtime is pretty dismal compared to other true wireless earbuds on the market (especially at a cost of $179 / £179 / AU$279), and we’d hope that Google has given its upcoming Pixel Buds a decent upgrade in this area.
Of course, the Pixel Buds (2020) weren’t all bad. We loved their sleek, minimal design, and theirGoogle Assistantintegration was nothing short of excellent.
While we hadn’t heard any rumors of a new Google Pixel Buds model before now, we think an April launch date is feasible. A few weeks ago, they were giventheir first official price cut in the UK, and we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for similar discounts in the US and Australia, as this could be a good indication that Google is gearing up to launch a new version of the wireless earbuds.
Olivia was previously TechRadar’s Senior Editor - Home Entertainment, covering everything from headphones to TVs. Based in London, she’s a popular music graduate who worked in the music industry before finding her calling in journalism. She’s previously been interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live on the subject of multi-room audio, chaired panel discussions on diversity in music festival lineups, and her bylines include T3, Stereoboard, What to Watch, Top Ten Reviews, Creative Bloq, and Croco Magazine. Olivia now has a career in PR.
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