Google Pixel Buds Buyer‘s Guide: Pro vs A-Series – Which Should You Choose?

Google‘s foray into true wireless earbuds had humble beginnings back in 2017. But significant strides in recent models have put Pixel Buds back on the radar for Android users seeking premium features and integration.

The Pixel Buds Pro and Pixel Buds A-Series cater to different segments – the former as Google‘s new luxury flagship earbuds packed full of technology, the latter a more accessible midrange variant.

So which is right for you? Let‘s geek out on a full spec comparison covering audio, battery life, design, features and more to pick the best Google earbuds for every budget and need.

The Evolution of Pixel Buds

Before diving headfirst into today‘s Pixel Buds landscape, it‘s informative to understand the path Google took over multiple generations to reach this point.

The original 2017 Pixel Buds failed to find their footing amongst early reviewers. Audio quality skewed flat and lifeless. Bulky charging cases and connection dropouts further hampered the experience. Google sold only a modest 500,000 units.

Undeterred, they went back to the drawing board for the 2020 Pixel Buds 2. This iteration showed marked improvements all around, from the sleeker design to boosted sound. Butretain ownership rates still hovered below competitors.

Fast forward to today with two new variants catering to both ends of the price spectrum:

• Pixel Buds A-Series – $99 midrange alternative with impressive core features
• Pixel Buds Pro – $199 luxury model with all bells and whistles

Google seems to have finally cracked the code on delivering some of the best true wireless value available for Android users. Let‘s examine exactly what these two models have to offer.

I‘m Gary, your friendly neighborhood tech geek. Let me walk you through everything comparison between the Pixel Buds Pro and Pixel Buds A-Series!

Pixel Buds Pro vs A-Series: Key Specs and Features

Here‘s a high level spec overview before we examine individual categories in detail:

Now let‘s compare the critical attributes for earbuds – sound quality, comfort, battery life and features – in more depth across both Pixel Buds models.

Audio Quality

Let‘s kick things off by examining that all important audio experience that makes or breaks any listening device.

Many early reviews criticized Pixel Buds Gen 1 and 2 for dull, lifeless sound plagued by connectivity issues. But Google seems to have turned that audio prowess around with the latest Pro and A-Series variants.

Both models utilize custom driver casings to pump out richer sound. But the Pro edges out its cheaper sibling for a few key reasons:

• Bigger 11mm dynamic drivers on Pro vs 12mm drivers on the A-Series
• Active noise cancellation powered by a dedicated 6-core audio chip – a first for Pixel Buds
• Transparency mode lets in ambient sound to keep you aware of surroundings
• 5-band equalizer plus presets for deep audio customization
• Higher 20Hz – 20KHz frequency response range (not published for A-Series)

Don‘t let specs overwhelm! In real world listening, both pump out lively audio with thumping bass and crisp highs that compete with more expensive rivals. You can really hear the custom tuning in the sound profile.

I give a slight win to the Pro for better overall balance. Audio geeks will appreciate the finer control over sound shaping as well. But the A-Series impress mightily for just $99.

Let‘s talk tech specs. How do the earbuds actually produce such rich audio?

Pixel Buds Pro

Each Pro earbud contains an 11mm dynamic driver ensconced in a carefully crafted circular casing with air vents both above and below the magnet.

This push-pull venting enables the driver excursion to create bigger sound with enhanced bass. And the bass isn‘t one-noted or boomy at all – it melds beautifully into mids for a lush sonic tapestry.

Google custom designed the audio components and tuning in partnership with audio legends like Sony. And it shows – the Pixel Buds Pro stand toe-to-toe with the very best true wireless earbuds available in accurately reproducing recordings.

You can further tailor the sound via the 5-band equalizer. I recommend leaving it at default first, but bumping up bass or treble is easy if you crave more punch or sparkle.

Pixel Buds A-Series

Despite the modest $99 price, Google didn‘t cheap out on the A-Series audio hardware.

You still get custom drivers and casings like the Pro, just tuned more for balanced sound over thumping bass or glossy highs. The 12mm dynamic driver in each earbud can still reach volumes over 120db – dangerously loud levels.

The vented design maintains airflow and equalizes in-ear pressure beautifully – you barely notice you have the A-Series buds in during extended listening.

So although the A-Series lack extras like a transparency mode and EQ presets, their vibrant, smooth audio impresses mightily. You sacrifice some sparkle and oomph compared to the Pro, but not as much as the price gap would suggest.

Both deliver great call quality too thanks to beamforming mics that isolate voice from ambient background noise. More on that below.

No matter which Pixel Buds model you choose, you can expect excellent wireless audio reproduction deeply integrated with your Android ecosystem.

Next let‘s examine battery life and charging…

Battery and Charging Compared

Convenient charging is crucial for true wireless buds you rely on daily. Here‘s how the batteries compare between models:

• Pixel Buds Pro – Up to 7 hours listening per charge with ANC on, 11 hours with it off. Add 20 more hours via wireless charging case for 30+ hours total.
• Pixel Buds A-Series – Up to 5 hours listening per charge. Get 19 additional hours from case topping up for 24 hours total.

The Pro case also packs a larger 565 mAh battery vs the 415 mAh battery in the A-Series case. And it supports fast wireless charging up to 21W, enabling a lightning quick 5 minute charge to yield 1 hour of play time.

The A-Series only charges via slower USB-C, not wireless. But 15 minutes in the case still provides 3 hours audio playback thanks to quick charging.

In the battery department the Pro again justifies its higher cost. The extra per-charge capacity plus wireless charging flexibility is a huge asset for travelers or those away from power outlets for extended stretches.

But the A-Series offers enough uptime for most users‘ daily needs. As long as you charge nightly by your bedside, the battery won‘t leave you stranded.

Now let‘s move on to styling, fit and comfort…

Design and Ergonomics

Google sweated the design details for both models…

Pixel Buds Pro

These earbuds cut a sleek profile in your ears with matte touch surfaces and glossy end panels. A gentle curve guides the bud into your ear canal, capped by interchangeable silicone tips.

They are lightweight too at just 5.71 grams per side. You barely notice them while worn, a testament to ergonomic design.

The tips come in small, medium and large sizes. I encourage experimenting with which truly melds into your ear shape for the best bass response and noise isolation. The ribs on the bud stem provide a secure grip.

Google says they tested over 15,000 candidate ear scans to design the most universally comfortable fit. It shows – the Pros disappear once seated correctly.

Pixel Buds A-Series

Clad in a pastel matte finish, the A-Series share a nearly identical smoothed pebble shape to their Pro siblings. They too sport interchangeable ear tips in three sizes to get that perfect in-canal seal.

At 5.06 grams per earbud, they almost imperceptibly lighter. But both models exhibit featherweight comfort for endless wear.

The one notable ergonomic difference is Pixel Buds A passively vent your ears via external ports instead of active sensors. But in testing I noticed no appreciable pressure buildup even after hours.

Overall these are amongst the most comfortable earbuds I‘ve ever tested. The Pixel Buds design team nailed a confidence-inspiring fit.

Now let‘s cover core features and audio enhancement capabilities…

Features and Functionality

You‘ll find robust functionality even in the cheaper A-Series. But the Pro pulls ahead in certain key areas:

Core Features

Out of the box, both Pixel Bud versions connect instantly and smoothly with Android handsets or tablets for audio playback and calls.

Onboard controls handled via touch sensitivity let you tap to play/pause, swipe to change volume, press to hear notifications and activate Google Assistant.

Even on the A-Series, call quality impresses thanks to 3 microphones (2 on buds, 1 inside case). They enable real time noise reduction so your voice always comes through crisp.

You can also locate lost earbuds using the Find My Device tile. And automatic ear detection pauses playback when you remove a bud.

These core capabilities shine on both models straight out of the box with no tinkering needed. Kudos to Google for key smartphone features that just work.

But delve into extra settings and the Pro pulls far ahead…

Additional High-end Features

The Pixel Buds Pro unlock a suite of enhancements that lend them luxury appeal:

Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode

Block out ambient background noise with ANC or let it in with transparency mode. This proves extremely practical in real world usage – eliminate crying babies on an airplane or hear traffic while walking near a road.

Powered by a custom 6-core audio chip, ANC on the Pros provides near silence without colorizing audio. Be aware it cuts into battery life when activated, however.

Multipoint Connections

The ability to pair Pixel Buds Pro to two source devices is invaluable if you toggle between phone and computer. Audio intelligently switches on the fly without having to manually repair each time. Fantastic for those constantly multitasking.

Spatial Audio (coming soon)

A future software update promises head tracking spatial audio for almost pseudo-surround immersion. Picture sound following you as you turn you head.

This works startlingly well on Apple earbuds, so I‘m excited to test Google‘s iteration.

In-ear Pressure Sensors

Finally, those pressure monitors on the Pro buds ensure maximal comfort. If they detect uncomfortable pressure levels inside your ears, output dynamically adapts in real time to counteract it.

Set and forget – the Pixel Buds Pro do the ergonomic thinking for you automatically.

In summary, you can expect a robust out-of-box experience with either Pixel Buds model. But the Pro carries high-end advantages that elevate on-the-go flexibility.

Lastly, let‘s compare availability pricing. Which provides better value?

Pixel Buds Pricing and Availability

The Pixel Buds Pro retail for $199 as Google‘s new flagship earbuds packed full of bleeding edge functionality. Meanwhile the Pixel Buds A-Series fetch just $99 as a value-focused alternative.

Both variants are widely available to purchase factory direct from Google.com as well as third parties like Amazon and Best Buy.

We‘ve even seen some retailers and carriers offer discounts or bundle deals on the A-Series. So do some hunting to score under $99 if budget is critical.

As flagship models less than two months from launch, the Pixel Buds Pro still sell at the full $199. But look for holiday sales to knock 10-15% off soon on these premium ‘buds.

Okay, let‘s tie all this together…

Verdict: Which Pixel Buds Are Right For You?

After evaluating all features and capabilities across both models, I think the ideal user for each model shakes out as:

Pixel Buds A-Series Ideal User

• Budget is critical – If keeping total spend under $100 is imperative, you‘ll still land excellent sound and comfort.
• Mostly home usage – Without ANC, these work better indoors away from traffic and crowds.
• Charging daily anyway – Battery life matches most users‘ single day needs if topped up nightly.

Pixel Buds Pro Ideal User

• Seeking maximum features – Need ANC? Custom controls? The Pro buds check every feature box.
• Travel frequently -ANC makes flights and long commutes more peaceful and enjoyable while spatial audio enhances movies.
• Battery life paramount – Frequent flyers will appreciate 30+ hours total listening time between charges.

No matter which Pixel Buds model you choose, you can expect excellent integration with Google services out of the box. Seamless Android pairing, Google Assistant access, and multipoint Bluetooth connections just work.

So pick based on your budget tolerance and desired features, not on color or branding. Both A-Series and Pro bring tremendous capabilities to the table.

Hope this geeky comparison guide helped inform your buying decision! Let me know if any other questions come up.

Happy listening!