Google Pixel Buds Hands-on: AirPods Killer?
The all-new Pixel Buds, announced at Made by Google today, are Google’s true wireless earbuds, designed to integrate seamlessly with Google Assistant and other Google services. Here’s our first impressions after seeing them firsthand.
Design
Features
Thanks to their hybrid design, the earbuds are said to offer powerful, clear sound. Google says the Buds will automatically adjust their sound to adapt to environmental noise and the volume in the vicinity. The Buds don’t have active noise cancellation, but reps I spoke to told me the auto-adjustments should have a similar effect.
The Buds are said to have a 5-hour battery life for continuous usage, which can be extended to 24-hours with an included battery case. The case supports wireless charging in addition to the USB-C port on the bottom.
The earbuds also boast improved range, up to three rooms away indoors and more than a football field’s length outdoors. The reps were unable to confirm exact details like aptX HD certification, but they did mention that the earbuds achieved below-average latency during testing.
The new Pixel Buds have a beam-forming mics for enhanced accuracy and clarity, along with voice accelerators that detect sound from your jawbone to respond to you more quickly.
Price & Availability
Given their lightweight, comfortable design, smart features, and (supposed) rich sound, the new Pixel Buds seem to be a worthy addition to the growing true wireless earbud segment. We’re excited to try the Buds when they are released.