Google Pixel Buds A-Series Review: Cost-Cutting Earbuds

Google's Approach to Hardware and the Pixel Buds A-Series

Google has historically faced challenges in establishing a strong foothold in the hardware market. While the company excels in many areas, a consistent hardware strategy has often been elusive. Recent years have shown some improvement, particularly with the Pixel and Nest product lines.

The company initially ventured into the wireless earbud category in 2017 with the first-generation Pixel Buds. This initial offering presented a unique design and feature set, but ultimately didn't achieve widespread success. However, it demonstrated a willingness to innovate.

Capitalizing on Success with a Budget Option

The newly released Pixel Buds A-Series represent a strategic move by Google, mirroring the successful approach taken with its smartphone line. The original Pixel phone arrived during a period of challenging mobile sales for the company.

The key differentiator for the A-Series is its price point: $99. This positions it competitively against alternatives like the Echo Buds ($119) and Samsung Galaxy Buds ($110), and significantly below the AirPods 2 ($159). While lower-priced options exist, the A-Series offers a compelling value within the realm of established brands.

This pricing represents a substantial reduction compared to the standard Pixel Buds, which have a suggested retail price of $170. The A-Series doesn’t replace the standard model, but rather complements it, similar to Apple’s strategy with AirPods, but at a more affordable level.

Features and Trade-offs

To achieve the lower price, Google made some strategic compromises. The primary features removed from the standard Pixel Buds include:

• Wireless charging capability
• Attention Alerts, which reduce volume in response to sounds like sirens, due to less expensive sensors
• Noise reduction for calls and wind noise
• A reduced set of tap gesture controls

Despite these omissions, the A-Series retains many of the core features of the Pixel Buds 2, including the 12 mm dynamic speaker driver and a similar overall design. The physical resemblance is striking, with the primary difference being the color options.

The bolder matte colors of the previous generation have been replaced with glossy finishes: Clearly White and Dark Olive. The Clearly White version, provided for review, has a slightly off-white hue, similar to the Echo Buds. Those preferring the original matte colors will need to opt for the standard Pixel Buds.

Design and Comfort

The charging case maintains the vertically oriented oval shape of the earlier Pixel Buds. Its size is comparable to the AirPods Pro case, making it easily pocketable. A USB-C port is located on the bottom, with a charging status light on the front and a sync button on the back.

The earbuds themselves are nearly identical in size and shape to the Pixel Buds, offering a comfortable fit for extended listening sessions. User-replaceable silicone ear tips are included for a customized fit, although the smallest size is permanently affixed.

Sound Quality and Connectivity

The sound quality of the A-Series is comparable to the Pixel Buds 2, falling in the middle range of available options. While higher-end headphones offer superior audio performance, the A-Series provides adequate sound for everyday use and phone calls, despite some reduction in microphone capabilities.

Noise cancellation is not included, consistent with the standard Pixel Buds. However, it is anticipated that future Pixel Buds iterations will incorporate this feature to differentiate them from the budget-friendly A-Series.

The earbuds offer up to five hours of playtime on a single charge (2.5 hours for talk time), with the charging case providing an additional 12 hours. They also maintain the IPX4 rating for water and sweat resistance. Bluetooth connectivity is reliable, with a stable connection maintained even when moving to another room.

Compatibility and Assistant Integration

The Pixel Buds A-Series are compatible with both Android (6.0+) and iOS devices. Android users benefit from Fast Pair functionality. iOS users will need to utilize the pairing button. Google Assistant integration is exclusive to Android, enabling features like notification delivery and real-time Google Translate access.

Conclusion

The Pixel Buds A-Series don’t aim to revolutionize the earbud market. Instead, they represent a focused effort to deliver a solid listening experience at a sub-$100 price point. By strategically trimming non-essential features, Google has successfully created a compelling and affordable option.

Ultimately, the A-Series are a successful exercise in cost optimization, providing a worthwhile experience for budget-conscious consumers.