Google Pixel Buds A-Series – Wireless Earbuds, Clearly White

Product Information

Google Pixel Buds battery performance statistics are approximate and are based on listening time, audio control, and other factors. The passive isolation is a bit inconsistent, and you’ll notice it’s harder to get a good fit with the Pixel Buds Pro than with the A-Series because the Pro earbuds lack any securing ear wings. Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian Google’s latest Pixel Buds offer great sound and function for the money, particularly with Android smartphones. With non-Android kit though, you won’t be able to use the Google Assistant that brings so much to the Pixel Buds party.

Color choices for the Pixel Buds complemented the Pixel 2, and carried the same names: Just Black, Clearly White, and Kinda Blue, referring to the color of the circular plastic cap visible in the ear. Clear, balanced and full sound with excellent separation of tones and detail make them ideal for most music genres.When we first used the Google Pixel Buds A-Series, we found one significant flaw that might make you pause, but Google has since resolved this issue. The buds hold enough power for up to five hours of listening time (or, heaven forbid, two and a half hours’ talk time), and the case has enough juice for up to four charges, giving around 24 hours of charge all-in. Initially, only the Clearly White color was available; the other three colors (Oh So Orange, Quite Mint (green), and Almost Black) were released four months later in the United States on August 20, 2020. And as someone who is coming from AirPods Pro, it's a little disappointing to see that the Pixel Buds, despite costing a little more than regular AirPods (without wireless charging), do not have Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).

The Pixel Buds just aren't a great option because you can't update the firmware when needed unless you have an Android device, you can't access Siri, and the sound quality falls short compared to the competition. When used with an Android phone, tapping and holding activates Google Assistant, allowing you to issue commands and ask questions that are answered when you remove your finger. Your charging cord (the included USB-A to USB-C cable) is available and is free of damage and obstructions. I also like the overall design of the Pixel Buds, despite the discomfort that I get after extended use. You can’t create a custom EQ through the Pixel Buds app, and Google ditches Adaptive Sound in favor of a new Volume EQ feature on the Pixel Buds Pro.Initially, the A-Series volume output was way too quiet before firmware version 233 (which we address in the next section).