Google Pixel Buds Vs Apple AirPods – The Battle of the Headphones
On October 4, Google introduced its new flagship Pixel phones, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. However, the main reason Google kept making fun of Apple last year seemed like a joke when Google announced its flagships without the headphone jack. Yes, this time they changed it to get an IP 67 water resistance rating.
As an alternative, Google announced its brand new wireless earbuds called the Pixel Buds. The buds follow in the footsteps of Apple’s wireless earbuds, the AirPods, which means everyone will be comparing the two wireless buds and choosing which one to choose. We’ve put together this comparison to help you make your decision.
specs
GOOGLE PIXEL BUDS
Price:$159
Battery life: up to 5 hours.
Battery specifications: 120 mAh
Weight: 14 grams
Connectivity: Bluetooth
Sensors: microphone, accelerometer, capacitive touchpad
Charging case: USB Type C
APPLE AEROPODS
Price:$159.99
Battery life: up to 5 hours.
Battery specifications: 60 mAh
Weight: 4 grams each
Connectivity: Bluetooth, W1 chip
Sensors: Dual beamforming microphones, Dual optical sensors, Motion detection accelerometer, Voice detection accelerometer
Charging case: USB Type C
Price
Getting the biggest hurdle off the beaten path, there’s very little to compare between these two options to begin with, with the AirPods and Pixel Buds estimated at $159. the Pixel Buds won’t ship until November, and that’s if Google doesn’t continue to have supply issues.
Design
Physically, each organization’s wireless headset seems fundamentally changed. Apple resembles a theoretical white flower with a long stem and a fat bud that fits in the ear. The look of Google, again, is rounder and more extensive. Everything is tight. A piece of string also ties the Google Pixel Buds together, which is a nice touch as it means you can prevent one of the buds from falling to the ground. So design-wise, the Pixel Buds have the upper edge. However, AirPods are the ones that complete the definition of wireless.
control S
Both earbuds have touch controls, however the Pixel Buds offer more. Apple AirPods let you play and pause music with a tap. The Pixel Buds let you do that too, but they also have a touch surface that lets you slide your finger across them to change the volume.
AI and translation assistants
Obviously, both headsets offer AI assistants from each organization (directed through your cell phone). The AirPods offer Siri and the Pixel Buds offer the Google Assistant. I think it’s undeniable which one is superior: Google Assistant. However, if you don’t speak English, Siri wins as it’s available in many more dialects.
In any case, one region with the Pixel Buds clearly wins is their ability to continuously translate conversations. No one has really tested this component yet, so we have to wait and see how well it works.
Battery duration
The main reason for dispute about our mobile phones or Bluetooth headsets is the battery life. Who wants to be able to charge their headphones after only using them for an hour or two?
However, it seems that Apple and Google may make sense. Both AirPods and Pixel Buds are tested for up to 5 hours of use on each charge.
Additionally, Apple and Google claim that their charging cases will give up to 24 hours of battery life from the earbuds. That’s a far-fetched claim, but in my time with the AirPods, it certainly holds up.
Speaking of charging, Apple guarantees that charging AirPods for just 15 minutes will give users an additional 3 hours of battery life. Regarding the Pixel Buds, Google claims that 15 minutes of charging will give users an extra hour of battery life. Clearly Apple gets the thumbs up here, but mileage can fluctuate if you’re only using them with an Android device, which doesn’t exploit Apple’s W1 chip.
Considering the Pixel Buds haven’t launched yet, we’ll have to keep an eye out if Google’s cases hold up after a while.
Compatibility
Both gadgets are compatible with the different devices of the organization. For example, AirPods are designed to be used (and all of their features can be accessed, too) with iPhones, iPads, Apple TV, and Macs. Google’s Pixel Buds (as the name suggests) are meant to work with the Pixel phone line. of the organization, as well as with the recently released Pixel Book. However, since both headphones use Bluetooth, they will work with other phones; only most of the features will not be available for those phones.
connectivity
This is by far my favorite component of the AirPods and I can’t say I’m all that eager to see something similar coming from Google. When you open your AirPods unexpectedly around your iPhone, a message appears asking you to connect them.
As indicated by Google, the Pixel Buds will have a similar utility, which means that when your case is opened, you’ll be able to connect with your device at the touch of a button. This is HUGE as it eliminates the need to experiment and control the irritating matching procedure that Bluetooth headset owners have to deal with right now.
The best part of the Pixel Buds is that this feature will not be restricted to the Pixel 2/2 XL. Rather, you’ll need a device running Android 6.0 Marshmallow anyway and Google Assistant installed on the device. Which, advantageously enough, just made its way to the Play Store as a standalone app.
Verdict
AirPods are definitely advantageous considering the way wires have gone, but you don’t get any added utility when you use them on an Android phone since most of the fun is reserved for iOS users.
In this way, the proper answer here for Android users is self-evident. If you haven’t pre-ordered your Pixel Buds yet, do so now. As someone right now claiming AirPods, I really can’t wait to get my hands (or ears) on the Pixel Buds to put them through hell. Tell us what you think and in case you take a pair.