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| Google Pixel Buds | Image Credit: Mashable |
Since the introduction of Apple's AirPods in 2016, wireless earbuds have only improved in terms of quality, price, and availability. With legitimate competition from companies like Google, Samsung, and Amazon, we've seen these earbuds go from being the most well-known in the industry to be just one among many. When it releases the new Pixel Buds A-Series earphones, Google is turning up the heat and adding significant value to the market, particularly for Android users.
The Pixel Buds Google launched in 2020 seem so similar to these that you might be excused for believing they were the same. They're virtually similar in terms of look and function, and Google hasn't introduced any eye-catching new features to attract prospective purchasers. These Buds still include the Google Assistant, adaptive volume, and Google Translate features that were selling points for the previous generation of buds. The most notable difference is the price: the new Pixel Buds cost just $100, compared to the previous model's $180 pricing.
Android users who need wireless earphones should take note of the information provided. Although the new Pixel Buds don't provide any significant improvements, the massive price reduction makes them an attractive alternative for people who are unwilling to submit to the demands of Apple's operating system.
Who Love Pixel Buds.....
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| Google Pixel Buds | Image Credit: Mashable |
Using a "stabilizer arc," the 2020 Pixel Buds introduced a new truly wireless earbud form factor to Android. A circular touch panel gave way to a pointed speaker grill that fits snugly in the ear canal, replacing the previous circular touch panel. The Pixel Buds A have the same look as the Pixel A-Series smartphones, which isn't unexpected considering Google's strategy for its Pixel A-Series devices: essentially the same, but less expensive and launched later.
The new Pixel Buds are almost similar in look to the previous models, with the exception of the addition of a new "dark olive" color scheme to complement the standard white-and-grey design. Personal preference aside, I don't like the olive hue, but it is entirely a question of personal preference. One-touch to stop, two taps to go forward, three taps to rewind—these controls are still in place and haven't altered in any way.
I'm usually in favor of Google making little changes to the design of the Pixel Buds since the previous generation of Pixel Buds were noticeably more comfy than Apple's basic AirPods. As an aside, I'm a huge proponent of silicone-tipped speakers as opposed to just pushing some plastic down your earhole, and the aforementioned stabilizer does a good job of keeping the Pixel Buds A firmly lodged in the ear canal. The AirPods may need a little rotation after being inserted to ensure a good fit, but the security provided by these headphones much outweighs that provided by the Apple product.
Additionally, you will not have those unsightly white stems protruding from your ears, which is a great plus.
The egg-shaped charging case for the Pixel Buds A has remained mostly intact, but, according to Google's spec sheet, it is not as capable of wireless charging as the previous generation was. USB-C charging is the only option available to you, which is likely to be acceptable for the vast majority of users but may annoy those with impeccable cable management skills. One thing to keep in mind is that even if you get the dark olive Pixel Buds, the casing will remain the same color.
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| Google Pixel Buds | Image Credit: Mashable |
For better or worse, the initial setup and moment-to-moment usage have stayed unchanged from the previous iteration. The new Pixel Buds A may be connected to any Android 6.0 smartphone that has Bluetooth enabled straight out of the box by simply opening the case close to the phone and reacting to a notice that appears on the screen. In addition to serving as a home base for all device settings, the Pixel Buds Android app also includes the underwhelming "adaptive sound" function from the previous generation, which changes volume depending on the surrounding environment. The Pixel Buds A's built-in microphone also allows Android users to make use of the complete range of Google Assistant capabilities available in the Google Assistant app.
If you're an iPhone user like me, you may feel free to strike the whole paragraph above from the record since it doesn't apply to us in the least. The Buds can be connected to an iPhone via a Bluetooth pairing button on the back of the case, but that is the extent of their capabilities. Even though they will broadcast any Bluetooth music you want them to, you will need an Android phone in order to tinker with the settings in the Pixel Buds app or utilize the full range of Google Assistant capabilities. It wasn't a big deal to be the first time, but this time I'm a little unhappy that Google didn't come up with any sort of iOS solution in the year that passed between the debut of its Pixel Buds and the release of its Pixel C.
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| Google Pixel Buds| Image Credit: Mashable |
It hasn't changed since the original Pixel Buds, which were driven by bespoke 12mm drivers in each earbud, and it won't change with the Pixel Buds A. As far as I can tell, there hasn't been any sacrifice made to the audio quality at this place. It hasn't changed in any significant way, either.
The Pixel Buds A are excellent for the basic act of listening to music on a mobile device. It is possible for subtle parts of complex compositions to be heard clearly instead of being obscured by noises at the front of the mix, which may happen with lower-quality earbud headphones. Just like the previous time, the bass is more "okay" than downright "excellent" at times, but it's never a significant enough issue to detract from a song's overall quality. However, it doesn't always pack as much of a punch as it would if you were using more costly earbuds, such as the Bose QC Earbuds. Overall, the sound is as clear and powerful as you might fairly expect for the money you are paying.
This time around, my favorite testing material (as well as a general music suggestion) is Outkast's landmark album Aquemini. With some of the most interesting and diverse instrumentation available, there's enough to think about in every song — and that's before you get to the part where Andre 3000 and Big Boi are the greatest guys alive, which is also true. In terms of delivering that iconic sound to my ears, the Pixel Buds A did an excellent job of it.
The only small quibble I have with the sound is that Google chose passive noise reduction via the use of a physical seal rather than adding any kind of active noise cancellation. The inclusion of active noise cancellation (ANC) in earbuds at this price point would normally be considered absurd, but Amazon has altered the game by integrating it with the $120 Echo Buds. As things stand, you'll be able to hear a significant amount of outside noise, depending on the surroundings, so it's probably better to stop your music while waiting for the train.
Finally, battery life is another area in which Google has chosen not to make significant changes. According to the manufacturer, the earlier model could provide five hours of listening time, with a fully charged charging case providing up to 24 hours of listening time. That's exactly the same as the Pixel Buds A, which in my tests provided me with nearly exactly 5 hours of music until the low-battery ping began to sound. That's abysmally mediocre, although I suppose it's commendable of Google not to have reduced power life in order to save expenses.
No one should be surprised by this since AirPods are similarly restricted on Android phones, which isn't a big surprise. I mostly blame capitalism for encouraging this kind of gadget exclusivity in the first place. Still, in terms of build quality and functionality, paying $100 today on the Pixel Buds A gives you about the same value as spending $180 a year ago on the original Pixel Buds. Fortunately, the same can be said about the sound quality.
It hasn't changed since the original Pixel Buds, which were driven by bespoke 12mm drivers in each earbud, and it won't change with the Pixel Buds A. As far as I can tell, there hasn't been any sacrifice made to the audio quality at this place. It hasn't changed in any significant way, either.
The Pixel Buds A are excellent for the basic act of listening to music on a mobile device. It is possible for subtle parts of complex compositions to be heard clearly instead of being obscured by noises at the front of the mix, which may happen with lower-quality earbud headphones. Just like the previous time, the bass is more "okay" than downright "excellent" at times, but it's never a significant enough issue to detract from a song's overall quality. However, it doesn't always pack as much of a punch as it would if you were using more costly earbuds, such as the Bose QC Earbuds. Overall, the sound is as clear and powerful as you might fairly expect for the money you are paying.
This time around, my favorite testing material (as well as a general music suggestion) is Outkast's landmark album Aquemini. With some of the most interesting and diverse instrumentation available, there's enough to think about in every song — and that's before you get to the part where Andre 3000 and Big Boi are the greatest guys alive, which is also true. In terms of delivering that iconic sound to my ears, the Pixel Buds A did an excellent job of it.
The only small quibble I have with the sound is that Google chose passive noise reduction via the use of a physical seal rather than adding any kind of active noise cancellation. The inclusion of active noise cancellation (ANC) in earbuds at this price point would normally be considered absurd, but Amazon has altered the game by integrating it with the $120 Echo Buds. As things stand, you'll be able to hear a significant amount of outside noise, depending on the surroundings, so it's probably better to stop your music while waiting for the train.
Finally, battery life is another area in which Google has chosen not to make significant changes. According to the manufacturer, the earlier model could provide five hours of listening time, with a fully charged charging case providing up to 24 hours of listening time. That's exactly the same as the Pixel Buds A, which in my tests provided me with nearly exactly 5 hours of music until the low-battery ping began to sound. That's abysmally mediocre, although I suppose it's commendable of Google not to have reduced power life in order to save expenses.
Owners of iPhones now have a great choice:
As previously stated, the new Pixel Buds A is designed to function optimally with Android devices. Apple fans will be able to use them as basic Bluetooth earphones, but they will not be able to alter the settings or make use of any other Android capabilities. Even with everything in mind, the pricing is still quite attractive, but you can get a better deal if you shop around:
- Amazon's newest Echo Buds ($120) offer excellent sound, truly effective active noise cancellation, and a device-agnostic app for configuring the headphones.
- Despite the fact that Apple's entry-level AirPods ($160) are more expensive, their easy connection and complete Siri capabilities make them an excellent choice for heavy iPhone users.
Price and sound quality are the only considerations for most people, and there are few better options available than the new Google Pixel Buds in this price range. I would still choose the Echo Buds over them just because I am passionate about ANC, but you really can't go wrong with either option. Hello, and welcome to the era of great and reasonably priced wireless earphones.
Pixel Buds A-Series, A Fantastic Choice:
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| Google Pixel Buds | Image Credit: Mashable |
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