/pixelphone/community?hl=en
/pixelphone/community?hl=en
10/11/17
Original Poster
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!


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All Replies (431)
Google user
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.
Salim - Product Expert
10/5/17
Salim - Product Expert
Hello Jesse, you can use the adapter below to charge your phone and plug your 3.5 mm headset at the same time:
przemyslaw sosnowski
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 ;) 
Daniel Davis
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.
amandaw33
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.


Kenny Huang
10/5/17
Kenny Huang
I'm looking for a cheap pair of usb-c headphones since I don't think it's worth paying $150+ for that I can only use with the phone.
 
Do you know if any such headphone will be available soon?
Google user
10/5/17
Google user
@Orrin, what are the specs on the included adapter in terms of DAC and amp performance?
bassdude7
10/5/17
bassdude7
Any chance that the JBL Reflect Aware C headphones follow that standard? They seem to work in every USB-C device that I plug them into, but maybe they use another protocol.
Wilke
10/5/17
Wilke
The JBL Reflect Aware C will work with the Pixel 2
Christine Stesha
10/5/17
Christine Stesha
Orrin, I do not envy you.  Being a "community manager" after such a monumentally stupid fuck-up by some sort of idiot design committee has got to be a challenge.

I understand the market segmentation thought that people who can afford a flagship phone like this can also afford $150 type-c headphones, and a $50 dongle to allow charging + listening with 3.5mm (will there be another dongle, which turns one USB-C outlet into two, so that we can charge, and use our USB-C headphones? Oy.) and extra fancy Google wireless headphones.

And you know what?  I can.  But I won't.  Nobody appreciates being forced into unnecessary purchases.  "We now lined the streets with nails; but no worries, there's plenty of leak-stop-goo available at your corner store!"  No.  Just don't line the streets with nails, ffs.  You want people to be able to use Type-C headphones?  Fine.  Enable it (I admit; I don't know the technical challenges involved with having both a 3.5mm jack and a digital signal; perhaps easy, perhaps hard, but it's freaking Google) and keep the jack for the rest of us.

This is poor, idiotic design, and a huge mistake.  I was hoping that this was all a big joke; that the "leaks" were intentionally spreading misinformation, that the reveal would say, "haha, just kidding, look, we are better than Apple."  But nope.  Just straight silliness.
420 MORE
Don9690
1/22/19
Don9690
My USB C dongle will not let me use headphones or anything just says charging I can't switch it over. My wife has a Google pixel 2 XL and hers works with both dongles I've tried everything. I'm thinking these phones just are garbage and a handful of people got the bad batch.
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