Announced back in December 2022, Google’s Clear Calling is part of Pixel’s Call Assist Toolkit and is a seriously useful feature that improves the audio quality of phone calls.
Following on from its recent Made By Google event, Google has announced new and welcome improvements to its Clear Calling tool, found across its latest Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro range.
We’ve put together this guide on Google’s Clear Calling to explain how the feature works, which devices utilise the tool, plus the improvements that Pixel 9 users will see.
What is Google’s Clear Calling?
Google’s Clear Calling is a Pixel-exclusive noise-cancelling feature, designed to reduce background noise and enhance voice clarity on a phone line.
Once enabled, Clear Calling uses AI to recognise and eliminate distracting and loud background sounds, such as wind and traffic noise. It’s worth noting that this feature may not be turned on automatically, so you’ll need to enter your Pixel’s Settings to enable it.
There are, however, a few caveats to keep in mind. Firstly, Clear Calling is not currently available on VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) calls, as the feature requires a network connection to work. Essentially this means you’ll need an active SIM to use Clear Calling on your device.
Even so, Clear Calling is still internet-dependent and requires a Wi-Fi or a strong mobile data connection to work efficiently. It will simply not work with just a 3G connection.
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What are the Clear Calling updates across the Pixel 9 series?
Google has announced that the entire Pixel 9 series will see major improvements to its Clear Calling feature, including:
- Pixel 9
- Pixel 9 Pro
- Pixel 9 Pro XL
- Pixel 9 Pro Fold
- Pixel Buds Pro 2
Google explains that it has updated the Clear Calling algorithm to reduce noise across more environmental settings, such as on the underground. In addition, the algorithm has been tweaked to improve audio quality throughout the Pixel 9 series especially when compared to earlier Pixel handsets.
Not only that but the newly announced Pixel Buds Pro 2 will also benefit from improved Clear Calling when compared to its predecessor, the Pixel Buds Pro. When paired with a Pixel handset, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are cleverly able to reduce the noise around the person on the other side of the call and enhance their voice so you can hear them clearer. Impressively, this is even if the person isn’t using a Pixel handset or Pixel Buds.
At the time of writing, Google hasn’t confirmed whether older Pixel smartphones and earbuds will receive the updates. However it’s worth keeping in mind that upon its launch Clear Calling was only available on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, with the budget-friendly Pixel 7a initially missing out.
As the Pixel 7a now benefits from the feature, we can hope to see improvements across older models overtime.
Is Clear Calling safe?
According to Google, all sound data is processed on your Pixel device with Clear Calling never sending your audio and phone conversations to Google.
Which devices use Google Clear Calling?
Not including the Buds Pro 2 and Pixel 9-series devices we’ve already mentioned, Google Clear Calling is also available on the following devices:
While Clear Calling is a Google developed feature that’s found across its Pixel line-up, other Android smartphones do offer similar tools. For example, Samsung has a Voice Focus feature that uses an AI algorithm to detect and minimise background noises, ensuring your voice is loud and clear.
What is Pixel’s Call Assist?
Clear Calling is part of Pixel’s Call Assist toolkit, an all-encompassing term for the AI-powered features that supports the Pixel’s native Phone app.
In addition to Clear Calling, Call Assist also includes the Call Screening tool which detects and filters out unknown phone calls, Wait Times that works out how long you’re likely to be waiting on hold for, plus Hold For Me which allows you to skip the wait altogether and have your phone hold your place in the queue and notify you when an operator is available.
At its recent Made By Google event, Google also announced the new Call Notes feature which sends you a private summary and full transcription of your phone call once you hang up, negating the need to take manual notes.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
