Google unveils wireless Pixel Buds A-Series Airpods competitor for $99

Credit: Google

Google has announced the Pixel Buds A-Series wireless earbuds, the company's latest attempt at the wireless audio market — one that undercuts Apple's cheapest AirPods by $60.

The Pixel Buds A-Series are Google's cheapest Pixel Buds yet at $99. For that price, however, Google says that users will get about the same sound quality as the 2020 Pixel Buds.

In addition to good audio and a cheaper price tag, the Pixel Buds A-Series sport a new design that includes a "gentle seal" and a spatial vent for normalizing in-ear pressure. There are also beam-forming microphones for clearer audio calls and Google Assistant built-in.

Unlike Apple's more expensive AirPods Pro, the Pixel Buds A-Series don't have active noise cancellation. Instead, Google has added a so-called Adaptive Sound feature that will automatically adjust headphone volume based on an environment's ambient noise levels.

The Pixel Buds A-Series are said to last about five hours on a charge, and pack an additional 24 hours of battery life in their charging case. They're IPX4 rated for water-resistance, meaning they can be worn in the rain or during sweaty workouts.

For iPhone users, the Pixel Buds don't offer the same level of tight integration with the Apple ecosystem. However, they are cheaper than competing products on the market and could signal that a wireless earbud price war could be on the horizon.

Apple is reportedly working on a new generation of AirPods that could combine elements of both AirPods and AirPods Pro. Past rumors suggest that the so-called "AirPods Pro Lite" will focus on minor refinements and changes.

The $99 Pixel Buds A-Series come in white or dark olive. They're currently available for preorder and will begin shipping out to customers on June 17.

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