So, when Google released the Pixel Buds A-Series, did they live up to their A branding?
We think so, and they even have made the best wireless earbuds for Android smartphones.
The soft-touch casing feels smooth but is grippy enough to not slip out of your hand.
The polycarbonate case feels firm and sturdy and has a good weight, making it feel premium.
The hinge is another excellent aspect of the Pixel Buds A-Series case.
The case of the Google Pixel Buds A-series is mostly unchanged from last year.
The main downside of this cheaper model is the lack of wireless charging.
However, once you learn to fit them correctly, they are comfortable and secure.
Even at high volumes, the Pixel Buds A-Series have good separation and don’t lose the details.
This setting adds noticeable emphasis on the lows while still delivering full and natural sound.
That said, that is as far as you’ll get in terms of customizability with these earbuds.
First, let’s talk about Fast Pair.
This is equivalent to Apple’s convenient pairing with AirPods, and it is incredible.
This Fast Pair feature works natively on most of the newer Android smartphones.
This feature is wildly convenient, and it enriches the experience of having these earbuds over others.
Speaking of Bluetooth connection, Google added a new chipset inside each earbud to increase connectivity reliability.
Last year’s Pixel Buds experienced many connectivity issues regarding occasional dropouts and audio interruptions.
For the most part, I doubt users will encounter this issue as frequently as last year’s earbuds.
it’s possible for you to also do this hands-free by saying, “Hey Google.”
Another thing that is returning to these earbuds is In-ear detection.
Overall, Google did a great job here with the feature set of these earbuds.
At $99, it’s a bargain for the smart and convenient features the Pixel Buds A-Series offer.
In my testing, the earbuds stayed consistent with this.
The case charges via USB-C but doesn’t support wireless charging like on the previous model.
One thing I noticed throughout testing was how inconsistently the earbuds lost power and how they charged.
The right earbud was fully charged, however.
That said, I haven’t encountered the issue since and haven’t been able to recreate it.