6 days

Expert - Google Employee

Orrin - Community Manager

Listening to your Pixel Phone

Hey Everyone,

We want to provide a little more information about headphone options for the Pixel 2. The Pixel 2 still comes with a headphone jack but we have moved to USB-C, a standard that is becoming commonplace in the best phones and laptops of today. Moving to the USB-C audio port with Pixel 2 allows us to provide a better audio and digital experience, as we move towards a bezel-less future.

We realize that some of you might be looking for USB-C headphones, and we want to provide some guidance around headphone compatibility with Pixel 2 devices. The main thing to keep in mind is that Pixel 2 devices are compatible with USB-C headphones that support digital audio.

Here is a list of Made By Google or Made For Google headphones that have been verified to be compatible with the Pixel 2:

Google Pixel Buds
Libratone QAdapt In-Ear USB-C - Storm/Cloud
Libratone QAdapt Over-Ear BT - Storm/Cloud
AiAiAi TMA-2 Modular MFG1 Preset (USB-C)
AiAiAi TMA-2 Modular MFG2 Preset (USB-C)
AiAiAi TMA-2 Modular MFG3 Preset (USB-C)
AiAiAi TMA-2 Modular MFG4 Preset (USB-C)
AiAiAi TMA-2 Modular MFG5 Preset (USB-C)
AiAiAi H60 - Bluetooth headband MFG
AiAiAi TMA-2 Modular Wireless MFG6 Preset (Bluetooth)
AiAiAi TMA-2 Modular Wireless MFG7 Preset (Bluetooth)
AiAiAi TMA-2 Modular Wireless MFG8 Preset (Bluetooth)
Master & Dynamic ME05 Earphones brass with black chrome finish (USB-C) - Coming soon
Master & Dynamic ME05 Earphones brass with Palladium finish (USB-C) - Coming soon
Master & Dynamic MH30 Earphones Black Or Silver (USB-C) - Coming soon
Master & Dynamic MH40 Earphones Black Or Silver (USB-C) - Coming soon
Master & Dynamic MH50 Earphones Black Or Silver (USB-C/Bluetooth) - Coming soon
Master & Dynamic MH60 Earphones Black Or Silver (USB-C/Bluetooth) - Coming soon

We highly recommend sticking to the list above, but if you are looking to buy another pair of USB-C headphones that isn’t on the list, please make sure they are compatible with digital audio and other standards.

Here are a few other tips to keep in mind:

To give people a choice of audio options, we’ve included an adapter in the box which can be used with existing 3.5mm headphones
Other USB-C to 3.5mm adapters/splitters should work, but please be sure they are compatible with digital audio and support the proper audio standards
Pixel 2 supports audio adapters and headsets that communicate digitally over USB-C as defined by USB Audio Class 1/2/3. Pixel 2 does not support an analog audio signal over USB-C and subsequently will display an unsupported notification warning when an analog audio device is attached.

If you have any other questions, feel free to post here in the forum, and we’d be happy to help!

Community content may not be verified or up-to-date.

Expert Replies (20)

2 days

Expert - Top Contributor

Penelope R

Hi GypsyJon. I have loads of pairs of wired headphones/earbuds and out of them all, only one pair actually works with my Pixel. They are very old, over the ear type sony ones and I only use them when in VR as B/t buds don't sync very well with the on-screen action. The only time I used wired headphones was in the garden but I changed to B/t some time ago as I would keep catching the wire and pulling them out of my ears. I certainly haven't noticed any change in battery life when using B/t buds.

I see that an adapter is included with the new Pixels and have read complaints that this was likely to be forgotten or lost. Is it not possible to leave it attached to the headphones being used? I do realise that some owners have several sets but if not wishing to swap the adapter over, it might be a plan to buy an extra one as a 'just in case.

I refuse to get wound up about such things as if not having a headphone jack bothered me that much, I'd choose a 'phone that did have one.

Just my tuppence worth.

Penny

On Tuesday, 10 October 2017 20:43:03 UTC+1, GypsyJon wrote:

Big mistake for Google to remove the 3.5 mm jack. THis is just what Apple did with the iPhone and folks I know hate it. I for one am not interested in bluetooth head phones, they eat batteries alive.

Love my Pixel and was looking forward to the new one, but I guess I will go back to Samsumg or LG when my Pixel dies.

What were you thinking Google??

4 days

Expert - Top Contributor

ScottG_TC

You guys all do make very valid arguments.

I am just curious, were you all this upset and vocal when they stopped making TVs with VCRs built in?

10/8/17

Expert - Top Contributor

ScottG_TC

I am the worst of the worst? Because I am able to see how standards and definitions can change?

I see. I am amazed at how much you all are angry that the 3.5 mm port is missing, yet you all keep coming back here. Seems that you all are the worst of the worst that have nothing better to do than to complain about something that is done and not really going to change any time soon.

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All Replies (175)

10/5/17

Google user

If I'm on an airplane and my phone is plugged in and I don't have Bluetooth headset how the hell am I supposed to listen to my phone. God I'm disappointed in you guys. I love my pixel but what a terrible decision.

10/5/17

Expert - Top Contributor

SalimTC

Hello Jesse, you can use the adapter below to charge your phone and plug your 3.5 mm headset at the same time:

https://store.google.com/us/product/moshi_usb_c_headphone_adapter_charger?hl=en-US

10/5/17

przemyslaw sosnowski

Look at that. And only at the low price of $50! Thanks! I can tell this whole jack elimination deal wasn't for the money ;)

10/5/17

Daniel Davis

Bezel-less future? You mean those huge bezels on the pixel 2? I sure hope that is *not* "the future" Google designers see.

This is nothing but a way to monetise on additional accessories. Google could have easily put two USB C ports if you wanted customers to shift to USB C for audio.

I'd say the Pixel 1 is the last Google phone I'll own if this hostility towards your customers continues.

10/5/17

amandaw33

"The Pixel 2 still comes with a headphone jack" is a little misleading in a world where headphone jack is AUX out, no?

I'm going to need the enclosed adapter for my 2009 car that doesn't have bluetooth. I tried AUX -> bluetooth adapter but it was annoying to keep something else charged.

I'm going to need the $45 adapter linked above for my bose noise cancelling headphones I use on planes so I can also charge phone at same time.

I'll need one of the standard adapters for running headphones. I considered the Pixel buds but think the cord will get sweaty, so no thanks there.

All that and I'll still have huge bezels on my standard Pixel 2. And no wireless charging. Thanks, google. I really hope qi comes back next year since Apple made it cool again.

169 MORE

12 min

BalkanBoy

Wait for the Samsung S9... Snapdragon 845, headphone jack included.

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Listening to your Pixel Phone

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