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Google Pixel Buds GA00205 …
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Google – Pixel Buds True …
The new Google Pixel Buds may seem like an imitation of the work that Samsung and Apple are doing, but they actually bring something new to the table: a Google Assistant that always listens.
It may seem like a small feature, but until now Android devices didn’t exactly have a full function. Apple AirPods type solution. Sure, there have been some absolutely amazing true wireless headphones like the Sony WF-1000XM3 catering to that crowd, but they still weren’t perfectly in sync with their Android device.
But Google Pixel Buds are.
For one thing, they’ll sync with your Pixel phone the moment you open the case near them, just like AirPods sync with iOS devices. On the other hand, if you enable the Google Assistant, you will be able to talk to him at any time saying the activation words, again, just like the AirPods.
But unlike their Cupertino-devised competition, Google Buds offer a live translation of the language as long as you have an Internet connection, changing the rules of the game for all monolingualists.
That said, while the Google Pixel Buds seem to offer the best compatibility with Android devices, they don’t offer any form of active noise cancellation, they reduce on-board battery life by about three hours, and cost more than other comparable Sony headphones and Samsung
Worse still, because of the few hours we spent listening to them, they also have Some of the weakest sound quality of any true wireless headset we’ve tested so far in 2020… although we will have to listen a little more before making a final judgment.
Overall, the new Google Pixel Buds might end up being a little mixed up, but hey, even if they don’t end up being The best true wireless headphones on the planet are a great update compared to the Google Pixel Buds 2017 and a decent companion for your Google Pixel 3, Pixel 3a or Google Pixel 4.
Price and release date
Google Pixel Buds launched on Monday, April 27, 2020 and comes in four colors: Oh So Orange, Clearly White, Quite Mint, and Almost Black.
Google Pixel Buds cost $ 179 (for a referral that costs around £ 140 / AU $ 270). We are still waiting for the official global prices. That means that (at least in the US) Pixel Buds are more expensive than Apple AirPods with the standard charging case. However, they are still $ 20 cheaper than the most comparable AirPods with Apple’s wireless charging case.
How does that $ 179 price tag work against other true wireless headphones? Not very well, unfortunately.
For $ 50 less, you can get the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus that has a 12-hour built-in battery and 12-hour charging case, or the Sony WF-XB700 that has a huge and robust bass response. If you’re willing to spend $ 50 more, you can go for the Sony WF-1000XM3 that has active noise cancellation, an extremely handy feature for travelers and frequent flyers you won’t find at Pixel Buds.
Design
The standout feature of Google Pixel Buds, and what sets them apart from the original Pixel Buds that it is likely to replace in the future, is that they are completely wireless. This time there is no cord between the buds, and that is really liberating.
Because of that, the case has also been completely redesigned, and now fits better in both your hand and your pocket. The lid of this new egg-shaped case can be moved up and down with a satisfying click and the entire case only has a single USB Type-C port for charging.
Inside the box, Google includes multiple sets of olives and a fairly long charging cable, both of which are appreciated, and the first of which might need a better fit, as these are some of the smaller headphones we still have. And it can only stay in your ears with the help of a small bump-shaped bump that rests inside the outer ear. How uncomfortable you find the bump will likely be a point of debate, but so far our experience with headphone adjustment has been largely positive.
The only missing feature in terms of design is active noise cancellation. Some other headphones around the $ 200 mark have it and a lot is missing from the Google Pixel Buds. In fact, due to its design, there’s not much passive noise reduction here either.
However, to make up for their lack of noise reduction abilities, Pixel Buds can automatically adjust their volume based on the amount of noise the microphones pick up, which, while not noise canceling or anything like that, is better that nothing, and automatically pauses when you remove them from the ear.
Performance
So how do they sound? We don’t want to say too much without listening to them for a longer period, but we can already say that there is something wrong here. Without playing music, you may hear the slightest whistle, and some songs have weak, anemic bass response.
Rap and EDM sound pretty reserved on the Buds due to the huge bass shortage, and while that’s better than music that sounds murky, it’s obviously still a big problem.
Instead, what you’ll notice is that Google Buds really do focus on the mids and trebles. They do hard rock songs like The Best from Awolnation with energy and a sublime left-right split, which is great, but the music never sounds like it’s supposed to be. (At least, it’s not in our tests yet.)
Similarly, the audio and video quality is a bit confusing. We had no trouble listening to YouTube videos with Pixel Buds, but I turned to an action movie on Netflix and suddenly the bottom half of the audio track is missing.
We also had a problem using them in a Facebook Messenger call in which the microphone creaked with each word as well as just readjusting them in our ear. Again, potentially these were just unique issues that could be fixed with firmware updates or connection quality glitches, but right now we just don’t have enough confidence to say that these are strong competitors in the audio department.
Where Pixel Buds works as advertised, for better or for worse, is with battery life. Officially, Google touts three hours per charge for a total of an additional 24 hours when deposited back into the cargo box between charges.
The battery life built into the Buds is slightly shorter than what you would find elsewhere; Using them on a long distance flight will be difficult. But the battery life inside the case is comparable to its Sony, Samsung, and Apple equivalents and can be charged wirelessly, which is a nice touch.
Last but not least, it’s at least worth mentioning that the Pixel Buds come with a solid IPX4 water resistance rating. That makes them able to withstand a sweaty trip to the gym and a few minutes in the rain, but probably not a trip to the beach. So walk carefully.
Early verdict
It is not disputed that these are a great improvement over the original Pixel Buds. The feature set is just a noticeable improvement, and Google has clearly paid attention to what customers are looking for in terms of ease of use and sleek design.
Where the Pixel Buds could still improve is in their sound quality and the lack of active noise cancellation technology: at $ 179 these things are gambling and should not be absent. To that end, there are a number of other headphones that sound better and cost less, or cost more and include more features, all of which could prevent Google Pixel Buds from reaching overall appeal and our unbridled recommendation.
