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.
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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.
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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%
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The two color options are hazel (left) and iris.
Joseph Maldonado/CNETThe 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.
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The buds have ear-detection sensors and little wings like the Pixel Buds Pro 2.
Joseph Maldonado/CNETGoogle 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
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From the outside, the buds look the same as the Buds 2 Pro.
Joseph Maldonado/CNET
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