I appreciate the Pixel Buds A-Series for their no-fuss design, but 5 hours of playback just isn’t enough anymore. Luckily, Pixel Buds 2a leaks hint at better battery life.
The Pixel Buds A-Series, which compete with Google’s AirPods, are ideal for individuals who want earphones that they can simply use without overthinking. By reducing a few features to keep costs low, they adhere to Google’s A-Series philosophy of “cheaper but great.” With Pixel Buds 2a leaked online, it looks like we might finally get a new design. The appearance of the 2021 Pixel Buds A-Series was identical to that of the 2020 Pixel Buds, with the exception of the subtle “G” logo and the low-profile design. With room to improve noise cancellation and battery life, it’s time for some upgrades.
Renders from Pixel Buds 2a
Android Headlines shared what appears to be an official render of the Pixel Buds 2a in the color “Iris,” in addition to other options such as Strawberry and Fog Light. The image depicts Google’s new design while maintaining the aesthetic of the original Pixel Buds A-Series. The Pixel Buds 2a retain the same case shape that Google uses for all of its earbuds, but the inside is now a single, complementary color. There are also new cutouts on the buds, similar to the ones on Pixel Buds Pro 2. On that model, the cutout houses active noise cancellation microphones, which help you focus on music or work by blocking out outside noise. Since the original Pixel Buds A-Series lacked this feature, I believe that the sequel may include more enhancements than just improved sound.
Features
We don’t know much about the features of the Buds 2a yet, but I think they will have better sound and battery life than the originals. For reference, with the first-gen A series Pixel Buds, Google said you can “keep listening for longer thanks to a charging case that lasts all day.” On Amazon, buyers say they like the fit and audio quality, though they only get 2.5 hours of talk or 5 hours of music. Even for budget earbuds, 5 hours feels insufficient for a genuine, on-brand pair, in my opinion. That’s why the EarFun Free 2S stand out. They have features like an IPX7 waterproof rating, a charging case that is compatible with Qi, and a battery life of 7 hours per charge that is now available at a discount of 10%.
Adaptive Sound
Google’s approach to noise cancellation is called Adaptive Sound. The majority of earbuds reduce background noise before it reaches your ears by employing a combination of sound isolation and active noise cancellation (ANC). Google goes in a different direction. Instead of dealing with outside noise, Adaptive Sound turns up the volume, which can appear to be a combination of clever design and frustrating trade-offs. Adaptive Sound can be effective for calls. An algorithm that raises volume when a truck passes by makes sense because many people take calls in less-than-quiet areas. Buyers of the Pixel Buds A-Series say that beamforming microphones focus on the speaker’s voice and cut down on background noise.
Even though ANC isn’t included, passive noise isolation helps keep things calm. Adaptive Sound has the potential to disrupt the listening experience when it comes to music. It flattens the dynamics of music, making it seem as though someone is constantly adjusting the volume. When a song’s chorus starts right after you leave a loud street, the sudden drop in volume can make the song feel less powerful. The Pixel Buds A-Series would be my choice for making calls while walking near traffic. For music in loud places like subway stations, I’d want ANC instead—and that’s an area I hope Google improves with the Pixel Buds 2a.
Before you leave
Unlike most phone brands, Google doesn’t push out new earbuds each year. Before the Pixel Buds 2 Pro came out last year, the Pixel Buds Pro was around for more than two years. The A-Series will have been around for four years when the Pixel Buds 2a arrive. I hope Google gives budget-conscious Android users something worth getting excited about.
