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Pixel Buds Pro firmware update adds 5-band EQ

If you have the new Google Pixel Buds Pro, be on the lookout for a firmware update that’s going to make some of the best buds of 2022 that much better. The update adds a full 5-band EQ, with individual sliders to adjust the sound precisely how you like it. Here’s how to adjust the Pixel Buds Pro EQ.

There also are a number of new presets, Google says, “tuned by our audio engineers.” You’ll also see updates for controls to the left/right balance (so you can push things to one side more than the other, if you prefer), as well as some other unnamed bug fixes.

Google Pixel Buds Pro update.
Phil Nickinson/Digital Trends

The update requires you to have Version 1.0.474476083 (or newer) of the Pixel Buds app, and your buds themselves will be on Version 3.14.

Missing from this update, however, is spatial audio, which Google said from the jump would be coming to the Pixel Buds Pro at some point. So stay tuned.

Now is a good time to consider the Pixel Buds Pro if you haven’t already. They’re part of the second round of Amazon’s giant don’t-call-it-Prime Day sale, which lops off nearly 25% of the cost to take things down to $152.

Google also mentioned that it’s got a new color of the lower-end (but still very good) Pixel Buds A-Series. If charcoal gray is your thing, you can get your preorder on now for $99. (The other two colors are currently on sale for $69.)

Phil Nickinson
Phil spent the 2000s making newspapers with the Pensacola (Fla.) News Journal, the 2010s with Android Central and then the…
Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs. Google Pixel Buds Pro
AirPods Pro resting on an iPhone with open charging case nearby.

Apple has finally upgraded the original AirPods Pro, launching the second generation of their flagship true wireless earbuds during their big "Far Out" Apple Event in September. The upgraded buds look almost exactly like their predecessors but sport the new and more powerful H2 chip, improved noise cancellation and transparency mode, better battery, and more. Are these upgrades enough to beat out the Google Pixel Buds Pro?

We break down the differences between AirPods Pro 2 and Google Pixel Buds Pro to see which buds are worth your investment.
Further AirPods Pro 2 reading

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Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
Apple AirPods Pro 2 close-up.

The recently-released second-generation Apple AirPods Pro are a huge step up from the first-generation AirPods Pro, offering improved noise cancellation, better sound quality, battery, and a personalized listening experience, among other upgrades. But are these new features good enough to give other earbuds a run for their money?
To find out, we look at the biggest differences between the AirPods Pro 2 and popular rival earbuds, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. They're both similarly priced and share several features, making them seem like tough competitors. But are they? We'll find out. 

While you're here, also check out our breakdown of the Apple AirPods Pro vs. Sony WF-1000XM4.
Further AirPods Pro 2 reading

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The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro look like the Samsung earbuds we’ve been waiting for
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro.

The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro — Samsung's latest entry in the true wireless earbud world — feel like a culmination of the company's efforts in this space. The Galaxy Buds Pro debuted in January 2021 with powerful noise cancellation and great audio quality. Unfortunately, they were let down by complaints of wonky touch controls and a design that people either loved or hated. The Galaxy Buds 2 followed a few months later in August, featuring a sleeker, more comfortable fit and a lower price.

Fast-forward to August 2022, and we now have the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, which are smaller than the Buds Pro, but have more impressive audio specs than the Buds 2 — theoretically creating the best of both worlds. (Fast-forward even further and read our full Galaxy Buds 2 Pro review!)

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