Google's Pixel Buds have a long history. They were released in 2017 and had a cable between the two earbuds, so they weren't truly wireless. There were also a few other flaws that detracted from the overall experience, at least compared to other earbuds on the market at the time. Many users and reviewers criticized Google for these earbuds. A few years later, the company released the second-generation Pixel Buds , which were a much better product, but the $179 price tag put many users off them . Now, Google is introducing a more affordable pair of wireless earbuds, the Pixel Buds A.
See also: Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro: Users complain of ear problems
Considering the “A” in the name of the headphones, we can assume that they are a mid-range product (this is what we have seen in devices like the Pixel 4a). However, the new headphones look very similar to the existing Pixel second-generation, as their external design is the same. There are a few differences in the colors, but the basic design looks the same. In addition, according to Google’s announcement, the Pixel Buds A retain features such as Adaptive Sound, which increases or decreases the volume depending on the sounds and ambient noise. They also have the sound and microphone quality that even the more expensive models have.
There are even some improvements. 9to5Google has discovered that both earbuds connect directly to the device. This is a win-win situation as it makes the Pixel Buds A’s Bluetooth connection more reliable, while also improving battery life, at least in theory. The second-generation Pixel Buds had some issues with Bluetooth connectivity (at least according to some users). This new approach should be able to fix or reduce some of those issues.
See also: Not all Apple headphones support Music lossless streaming
As for battery life, the Pixel Buds A come with 5 hours of continuous listening and up to 24 hours with the charging case. They also feature fast charging: a quick 15-minute top-up will provide up to three hours of listening. However, the Pixel Buds A don't support wireless charging, so if you consider this feature very important, you'll have to choose a more expensive model.
The best part, though, is the price ! You can find Google's new Pixel Buds A headphones for $99. Considering their features, and compared to Google's more expensive models, this price is extremely good.
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The Pixel Buds A are now available for pre-order in the US and Canada , and Google expects them to start shipping on June 17. For information on availability in other countries, check here. The earbuds will be available in two colors (Clearly White, Dark Olive).
Source: XDA-Developers Android Forums
