Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 / Sony WH-1000XM5

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: GA12449-series in-ear earbuds; Porcelain, Hazel, Peony, Moonstone, Olive and other colours. The original Pixel Buds Pro and Pixel Buds 2a are separate models.

Sony WH-1000XM5: WH-1000XM5; colours vary by region: black, silver, midnight blue, pink and platinum. The later WH-1000XM6 is a separate product.

SpecificationGoogle Pixel Buds Pro 2Sony WH-1000XM5
Release year20242022
ChipGoogle Tensor A1 in each earbud

Google says Tensor A1 adapts audio to the environment up to 3 million times per second and runs noise cancellation twice as strong as the original Pixel Buds Pro; music and noise-cancellation processing run on separate paths.

Google		—
Noise controlActive Noise Cancellation with Silent Seal 2.0; Transparency mode; active in-ear pressure relief; Conversation Detection

Pressure relief reduces the plugged-ear feeling of sealed earbuds. Conversation Detection pauses music and switches to transparency when you start talking.

Google		—
DriverCustom-designed 11 mm dynamic driver per earbud Google30 mm dynamic driver, closed back, neodymium magnet Sony
MicrophonesThree mics per earbud; voice accelerometer; wind-blocking mesh covers

The voice accelerometer picks up jaw vibration while you speak to help separate your voice from ambient noise. Google’s Clear Calling and Super Wideband calling require compatible Pixel phones.

Google		—
ConnectivityBluetooth 5.4 with Super Wideband; works with Bluetooth 4.0+ devices

Full features need an Android 6.0 or newer phone, a Google Account and an internet connection; basic listening works with an iPhone.

Google		—
BatteryANC off 12 hours (48 hours with case); ANC on 8 hours (30 hours with case); 5 minutes charge gives 1.5 hours (ANC off)

Google’s blog footnote says figures were measured on pre-production hardware with other features disabled; real-world time may be shorter.

Google		30 hours of music with noise cancelling on, 40 hours off; 24/32 hours of calls

Times are measured under Sony’s test conditions; volume and codec change real-world runtime.

Sony
Charging caseUSB-C and Qi-certified wireless charging; ringtone speaker for Find Hub; Hall effect sensor for open/close

The case speaker lets you ring a lost case through Find Hub.

Google		—
SensorsCapacitive touch (tap and swipe); IR proximity sensor; accelerometer and gyroscope

The proximity sensor pauses music automatically when you take an earbud out; swiping adjusts volume.

Google		—
DurabilityEarbuds IP54; case IPX4

IP54 limits dust ingress and resists splashing water from any direction; the earbuds should not be submerged. The case has no dust rating.

Google		—
Size and weightEarbud (medium tip) 22.74 × 23.08 × 17.03 mm, 4.7 g; case 49.9 × 63.3 × 25 mm, 65 g with earbuds

Google says the earbuds are 27% smaller and 24% lighter than the original Pixel Buds Pro.

Google		—
Software supportAutomatic security updates for at least three years from first availability on the US Google Store Google—
Frequency response—Bluetooth: 20 Hz–20 kHz (44.1 kHz), 20 Hz–40 kHz with LDAC (96 kHz/990 kbps); wired: 4 Hz–40 kHz

The wider frequency range applies only with LDAC and high-resolution sources; over AAC and SBC the upper limit is 20 kHz.

Sony
Bluetooth and codecs—Bluetooth 5.2; SBC, AAC, LDAC; A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP; multipoint (two devices)

Multipoint keeps the headphones connected to two devices at once. Google Fast Pair and Windows Swift Pair offer quick pairing. Range is 10 m.

Sony
Noise cancelling—Active noise cancelling; Integrated Processor V1 and HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1; 8 microphones in total (4 noise-sensing per earcup)

Auto NC Optimizer adjusts noise cancelling to fit and atmospheric pressure; Adaptive Sound Control switches modes based on the environment. Ambient Sound mode and Quick Attention let outside sound in.

Sony
Call microphones—4 beamforming microphones; AI-based noise reduction, wind noise reduction Sony
Charging—Full charge in about 3.5 hours via USB; about 3 hours of playback from 3 minutes with a USB-PD adapter

Quick charging requires a separately sold USB Power Delivery-compatible adapter.

Sony
Controls and sensors—Touch panel on the right earcup; NC/Ambient button on the left; wear sensor; Speak-to-Chat

The wear sensor pauses music when the headphones are removed and resumes when they are put back on. Speak-to-Chat pauses music and turns on ambient sound when the user starts talking.

Sony
Spatial audio—DSEE Extreme upscaling; 360 Reality Audio support

DSEE Extreme aims to restore high-frequency detail lost in compressed music files by estimating it.

Sony
Impedance and sensitivity—48 Ω when on, 16 Ω when off; 102/100 dB/mW

The headphones can be used passively with a cable while switched off; noise cancelling does not work then.

Sony
Weight and in the box—About 250 g; soft collapsible carrying case, 1.2 m L-shaped cable (3.5 mm), USB charging cable Sony
App—Sony Sound Connect: equaliser, shortcut settings, listening history, Safe Listening

Safe Listening tracks sound exposure against World Health Organization guidelines.

Sony