Sound Quality: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) vs. Google Pixel Buds Pro
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) provide premium sound quality with sophisticated spatial audio processing, balanced frequency response, and adaptive features that create an immersive listening experience. The Google Pixel Buds Pro delivers neutral, reference-like sound signature with custom 11mm drivers that provide accurate frequency response and good technical performance across the spectrum. While the AirPods Pro excel in spatial audio implementation, adaptive audio features, and superior computational audio processing with better overall refinement, the Pixel Buds Pro offers more accurate sound reproduction and competitive noise cancellation that works well across different platforms, though it lacks the advanced adaptive features and ecosystem integration that makes Apple’s earbuds more sophisticated in real-world use.
Verdict: What should you buy?
Go with the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) if you’re invested in the Apple ecosystem and want adaptive audio, superior spatial audio, industry-leading noise cancellation, and the most advanced wireless earbud features available. Choose the Google Pixel Buds Pro if you use Android devices, particularly Google Pixel phones, want accurate sound reproduction, and prefer Google Assistant integration. The AirPods Pro offer significantly better adaptive features, transparency mode, and spatial audio implementation, making them superior for Apple users, while the Pixel Buds Pro provides better cross-platform compatibility, good noise cancellation, and works well with both Android and iOS, though they can’t match Apple’s advanced processing and ecosystem integration for iPhone users.