Google's Made by Google event on August 12, 2026, will spotlight the Pixel 11 smartphone lineup, but the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are also due for an update. Rather than introducing a new generation of earbuds, Google is expected to refresh the existing model with a new colour option — a low-cost strategy common in the consumer audio market, where manufacturers extend a product's shelf life with cosmetic updates rather than full hardware cycles.

Here is what Google has officially confirmed, what leaks suggest, and what remains unknown ahead of the event.

Has Google Announced Anything About the Pixel Buds Pro 2?

Google has not publicly discussed the earbuds ahead of the event. The official event invitation teases only the next generation of Pixel devices and makes no mention of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 by name.

However, several leaks have surfaced. A dark green version of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 appeared in a since-pulled Amazon listing, as reported by 9to5Google. The same shade had previously been visible on Google's Play Store rewards page for several weeks.

Leaker Evan Blass shared close-up images of the dark green earbuds as part of a Pixel 11 Pro Fold leak. According to 9to5Google, the earbuds appear identical to the current model aside from the new colour. Android Authority reported that the shade is darker than the green featured on the Pixel 11.

Notably, there is no Federal Communications Commission (FCC) filing associated with new earbud hardware for 2026. Any new wireless device sold in the United States requires FCC certification for its radio-frequency components, so the absence of a filing strongly suggests no internal hardware changes. This further supports the conclusion that this is a colour refresh rather than a new hardware generation.

Expected Release Timeline

Google is anticipated to announce the new colour at the August 12 event. If the company follows its previous rollout pattern, preorders would open the same day, with the earbuds becoming available for purchase approximately one to two weeks later.

The Pixel Buds product line has followed a consistent cadence in recent years:

• The original Pixel Buds Pro launched in July 2022.
• The Pixel Buds Pro 2 launched in 2024 with a full specification upgrade.
• In 2025, Google introduced the Moonstone colour instead of releasing a new generation.

2026 appears set to follow the same pattern, with a colour update rather than a Pixel Buds Pro 3. A true next-generation model is unlikely before 2027.

Pricing

The current Pixel Buds Pro 2 is priced at $229 in the US, £219 in the UK, and €249 in the EU. That price has remained unchanged since the earbuds launched in 2024 and held steady through the Moonstone colour introduction in 2025. At $229, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 sit just below flagship competitors such as Apple's AirPods Pro 2 and Samsung's Galaxy Buds3 Pro, both priced at $249 in the US.

Pricing for the new dark green colour has not been confirmed by any official source. Android Authority notes that it remains unclear whether the price will remain the same.

The pricing question carries added significance this year. Google has raised prices across the Pixel lineup due to escalating memory costs. Speaking to 9to5Google, Google's VP of Devices and Services Shakil Barkat stated that the price of 1GB of LPDDR5X RAM rose from $2.80 in 2025 to $12 in 2026, and that the entire Pixel family would see price adjustments as a result. The Pixel Watch 5 already experienced a price increase from $349 to $399 for this reason. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 could see a similar adjustment, though this remains unconfirmed.

Specifications

Since the update appears to be a colour refresh, the specifications of the new earbuds are expected to match the current Pixel Buds Pro 2 model.

Chip and Sound: A custom Tensor A1 chip powers the earbuds, paired with an 11mm dynamic driver. Google states that noise cancellation is twice as strong as on the original Pixel Buds Pro.

Battery Life: Listeners get up to 8 hours of playback with active noise cancellation enabled, or 12 hours with it disabled. The charging case provides up to 30 hours of total battery life with noise cancellation on, or 48 hours with it off. A 5-minute charge delivers approximately 1.5 hours of listening time.

Durability: The earbuds carry an IP54 rating, while the charging case is rated IPX4 for splash resistance.

Connectivity: Features include Bluetooth 5.4, multipoint pairing for switching between devices, Fast Pair, and Auracast support via a software update. Auracast is part of the Bluetooth LE Audio standard and enables broadcasting audio to multiple listeners simultaneously, a feature still being adopted across the industry.

Codecs: The earbuds support SBC, AAC, and Opus codecs. They do not support hi-res codecs such as LDAC.

AI Features: Gemini is built in, alongside Conversation Detection and gesture controls that allow users to nod or shake their head to respond to calls.

Fit and Design: Each earbud weighs approximately 4.7 grams and includes a twist-to-adjust stabilizer for a secure fit.

Colours: The current lineup includes Porcelain, Hazel, Wintergreen, Peony, and Moonstone. The new dark green shade would join this selection.

Google does not include heart rate or fitness tracking sensors on the Pixel Buds Pro 2, so any claims about health-related sensors should be treated as unconfirmed.

What Remains Unknown

Several questions remain unanswered ahead of the August 12 event:

• What the new colour will cost.
• Whether it will replace an existing colour or be added to the current lineup.
• What Google will officially name the new shade.
• Whether a software update will accompany the colour release.

These details should be clarified once Google takes the stage at the Made by Google event on August 12.