Latest news with #PixelBuds2A
CNET
21 hours ago
- CNET
Google's New Pixel Buds 2A Look a Lot Like the Pro 2 but Cost Way Less
Samsung recently unveiled its "fan-edition" Galaxy Buds 3 FE earbuds ($150), a more affordable version of its flagship Galaxy Buds Pro 3 earbuds that leave off a few features. You can think about Google's Pixel Buds 2A ($130) in much the same way. Essentially a slightly stripped down version of Google's highly rated flagship Pixel Buds Pro 2 ($229), they look very similar but don't offer quite the same performance or feature set for a more affordable price. Introduced at Google's Pixel 10 launch event, they're available now for preorder in hazel or iris and ship Oct. 9. Read more: Best wireless earbuds of 2025 Google says the Pixel Buds 2A's design was "inspired" by the Pixel Buds Pro 2's design and, at first glance, it's not so easy to figure out what's different about them. While the Pixel Buds 2A are also powered by Google Tensor A1 chip, they're missing a microphone in each bud (they have two mics per bud while the Buds Pro 2 have three) and the Buds 2A leave off wireless charging, a voice accelerometer, head tracking for spatial audio and a ringtone speaker in the case for Find My Device. While the Buds 2A weigh exactly the same as the Buds Pro 2 (4.7 grams) and also have 11mm drivers, their battery life is rated for an hour less -- 7 hours instead of 8 with noise canceling on. They also feature Silent Seal 1.5 for noise canceling instead of Silent Seal 2.0, which presumably means their noise canceling isn't quite as good. Here's a full list of the differences between the two earbuds that I found. How the Google Pixel Buds 2A are different from Pixel Buds Pro 2 Two microphones per bud instead of three No wireless charging or ringtone speaker in the case for Find My Device No voice accelerometer to help detect when you're talking No Conversation Detection feature that automatically lowers volume when you speak and activates transparency mode so you can have a conversation No motion-detecting accelerometer and gyroscope (no head tracking for spatial audio) Silent Seal 1.5 for noise canceling instead of Silent Seal 2.0 Up to 7 hours of battery life instead of 8 (noise canceling on) Charging case weighs 47.6 grams (with earbuds inside) instead of 65 grams Made out of 41% recycled materials instead of 24% Enlarge Image The two color options are hazel (left) and iris. Joseph Maldonado/CNET The two models fit similarly, with the same stability wing on each bud and a twist-to-fit design. The buds are lightweight and compact and should fit most ears well but I had some trouble getting a tight seal with the Buds Pro 2's included ear tips (I ended up using my own tips) and I suspect I may have the same seal issue with these buds. At the same time it revealed the Pixel Buds 2A, Google noted that the Pixel Buds Pro 2 will be getting some new features in October via a firmware update. These include an adaptive audio mode that "intelligently adapts to your surroundings" (similar to Apple's adaptive audio mode for the AirPods Pro 2 that softens loud noises as you encounter them to protect your hearing) and new Gemini features that will allow to speak to Gemini live in noisy environments. Gemini is Google's AI voice assistant. I'll let you know how the Pixel Buds 2A stack up performance-wise to the Buds Pro 2 and other earbuds in this price class, including the new Samsung Galaxy Buds FE, as soon as I get my hands on a review sample in early October. For now, here's a look at the Pixel Buds 2A's key specs, according to Google. Enlarge Image The buds have ear-detection sensors and little wings like the Pixel Buds Pro 2. Joseph Maldonado/CNET Google Pixel Buds 2A key specs IP54 dust-resistant and splash proof (case is IPX4 splash proof) Weight: 4.7 grams per bud Bluetooth 5.4 Google Tensor A1 Custom-designed 11mm dynamic speaker driver Active noise cancellation with Silent Seal 1.5 Transparency mode Active in-ear pressure relief Bluetooth Super Wideband Battery life: 7 hours with noise-canceling on with an additional 20 hours in the case Clear Calling Wind-blocking mesh covers Two microphones per bud Capacitive touch (tap) sensors for music, calls and voice-assistant controls IR proximity sensor for in-ear detection to play and pause automatically Hall Effect sensor for case open and close detection USB-C charging Colors: iris and hazel Price: $130 Ship date: Oct. 9
The Verge
21 hours ago
- The Verge
Google's Pixel Buds 2A add Gemini, noise cancellation, and a replaceable battery
Four years after launching the original Pixel Buds A-series, Google's back with the Pixel Buds 2A. The new budget buds are $30 more expensive at $129.99, but add some notable updates like an upgraded chip, Gemini access, a replaceable battery, and most importantly, active noise cancellation. The 2A also adds a Tensor A1 chip, which Google says 'unlocks the power of Google's advanced AI and Gemini features.' That Gemini access was heavily emphasized during my briefings, though in practice it mostly replaces Google Assistant on the buds. For most people, the most exciting feature enabled by the new Tensor chip is active noise cancellation and a transparency mode. The acoustics have been re-engineered — there's also AI-powered wind and background noise reduction for calls. Google says battery life has increased to roughly seven hours with ANC on and 10 hours with it off. The case holds an extra 20 hours of juice. Five minutes of charging also gets you about an hour of playtime. The buds also have improved IP54 water and sweat resistance, while the case gets an IPX4 rating. Perhaps most interesting is that these buds are more repairable than the previous model. While fiddling around with the case at a hands-on, I was told that the inside insert pops out, allowing you to replace the battery when it gets old. This dovetails nicely with the Pixel Watch 4, which is also more repairable than previous versions. These updates aren't too shabby, but the Pixel Buds 2A aren't exactly the stars of this year's Made by Google announcements. While the Pixel 10 phones and the Pixel Watch 4 took center stage at my hands-on, the buds were sequestered to the side, next to the watch straps and other accessories. The units I was shown weren't even connected, so I couldn't try the noise-canceling features. Even if I could, a quiet Google office isn't the ideal environment for getting an accurate sense of the buds' noise-cancelling prowess. But, the design is familiar, the buds are still extremely lightweight, fit nicely (there are now four eartip sizes and no protruding fins), and the new purple color is fetching. I wish the cases supported wireless charging in addition to USB-C. You can't have everything. If there's a clear theme to all these upgrades, it's that Google is prepping its hardware for on-the-go AI. For the earbuds, that means futureproofing everything to work with Gemini. It's the obvious reason for adding the Tensor A1 chip to its budget line, as well as the new noise reduction features that are also coming to the Pro 2. When you consider that the Pixel Watch 4 adds Gemini to the wrist, and that Google's embarking on a new era of smart glasses with Android XR, the rationale for these particular updates starts falling into place. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Victoria Song Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Gadgets Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Google Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Google Pixel Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Hands-on Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Headphones Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Reviews Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Tech
The Verge
a day ago
- The Verge
Prices leak for the rest of Google's new Pixel products
More prices have leaked for Google's new lineup of Pixel phones and watches, this time joined by prices for the new accessories and Pixel Buds 2A. Prices posted by leaker Evan Blass on X for the Pixel 10 family — including the 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, and 10 Pro Fold — line up with previous pricing rumors that were shared last month, as do those for the new Watch 4 models. This leak also gives us a $129 price for the Pixel Buds 2A, up a little from the original $99 Buds A-Series, but those launched four years ago. There are some product names and prices for various charging accessories too, including the 'PixelSnap' wireless charging line that's speculated to be Google's Qi2 alternative to Apple's MagSafe. You can see the full pricing leaks and product names below, ahead of everything being officially announced at Google's Pixel event today. Pixel 10 Pixel 10 Pro Pixel 10 Pro XL Pixel 10 Pro Fold Pixel Watch 4 Pixel Buds 2A: $129 Pixelsnap Ring Stand: $29.99 Pixelsnap Charger: $39.99 Pixel Flex 67W Charger: $59.99 Pixelsnap Charger with Stand: $69.99 Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Jess Weatherbed Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Audio Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Foldable Phones Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Gadgets Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Google Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Google Pixel Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Headphones Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Mobile Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All News Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Phones Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Smartwatch Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Tech Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Wearable
