The Pixel Buds A-Series headphones are available in three colors (charcoal, bright white, and dark olive) and cost around $100. They're a cheaper alternative to the Pixel Buds Pro, priced around twice as much. Google released the Series A in 2021.
One big change between these earphones and previous generations is that the original Pixel Buds only connected to the phone through one earbud, which then forwarded the signal to the other earbud. This pair of connectors both connect to your phone.
Here are some other notable features:
- Touch controls let you answer calls, play and pause music, and skip tracks with a tap.
- Adaptive sound increases/decreases volume based on your surroundings.
- IPx4 waterproof rating, so you don't have to worry about rain or sweat damaging them.
- If you have a Google Assistant-enabled Android 6.0+ device and an Internet connection, you can access Google Translate (including real-time translation) and Google Assistant through voice commands.
- Beamforming microphones focus on your voice and reduce external noise.
- With Find My Device, you can hear your Pixel Buds ring when they're near or see their last known location on a map.
The earbuds also have a more secure fit thanks to the curved stabilizers. They also have spatial vents to relieve pressure so they don't feel like earbuds.
| Pixel Buds A Series Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Earplug size: | 0.81 x 1.15 x 0.69 inches 0.18 ounces |
| Connectivity: | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Sound: | 12mm dynamic speaker driver Passive noise reduction Spatial vents reduce in-ear pressure |
| Voice: | Dual beamforming microphone |
| Battery: | 5 hours; 2.5 hours talk time with charging case: 24 hours; 12 hours talk time 15m charge provides 3 hours or 1.5 hours talk time |
| TOLL: | USB-C |
| sensor: | Capacitive Touch Sensor Single Infrared Proximity Sensor Motion Detection Accelerometer |
| color: | charcoal, bright white, dark olive |
| Require: | Any Bluetooth 4.0 device; Android 6.0+ more features |
If you have a Pixel phone or one running Android 6.0+, you can quickly pair it with Pixel A-Series headphones. Open the charging case with the headphones still inside, then press and hold the pairing button on the back until the white status light starts flashing. A pop-up notification on your phone will guide you through the rest of the setup process. If you don't receive a notification, go into Bluetooth settings and tap Pair a new device to complete.
For a proper fit, gently insert the earphones into your ears and rotate them back and forth until they are securely in place and feel comfortable. The stabilizer arc should tuck into the ear, not stick out. You can also change the ear tips to larger or smaller ones if you need a better fit.
