Google's second-gen Pixel Buds now available for $279

It's taken a while, but Google's second-generation Pixel Buds are now available locally. Announced alongside the Pixel 4 back in October last year (approximately 87 months ago, in corona time), the new Pixel Buds went on sale in the US at the end of April. Fortunately, anyone after Google's AirPods alternative can now grab a pair via the Australian Google store for $279.

The new Pixel Buds are a pair of wire-free headphones optimised for Android smartphones. The buds can almost instantly pair with any Android smartphone running Android 6 or better, and offer hands-free Google Assistant access. However, the most unique feature is real-time translation. After starting translation mode, you'll speak into the Buds' microphone, and your phone will play out a translation over its speaker. When the other person speaks, you'll hear the translation in your ear.

While Pixel Buds work best with Android smartphones, they're still compatible with iOS, albeit with less smarts.

In terms of battery, you can expect up to 5 hours per charge from Pixel Buds. You'll get up to 24 hours of playback before you'll need to top up the bundled charging case.

One feature you won't find on the Pixel Buds is active noise-cancellation, as we've seen on alternatives like the AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM3s. The Pixel Buds are however more than $100 cheaper than both the aforementioned models.

The new Pixel Buds are available from today from the Google online store for $279.

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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