The two are not in direct competition. One is designed for Android and the other for iOS. But how do they compare? This early comparison is based on what we know about the specs of both devices and our experience with the AirPods Pro. When we have the Pixel Buds Pro for review, we will update this page.
Price
AirPods are available since 2019 but the price hasn’t changed much. In 2019, the RRP for AirPods was $249/PS249 and now they are available at $249/PS239. Shop around, and you can get them as low as PS169.
Pixel Buds Pro are expected to sell for $199 at the time of their release. Google has confirmed that we do not yet know the price in other countries. AirPods Pro are currently available for less than the original price, but have been around for a long time.
You can also Design Your Own
Apple’s AirPods popularised the stem design, and AirPods Pro has a smaller version than the ones seen on cheaper models. The force sensor located at the base of the stem is used to control playback and calls. Only the Pro mode comes with silicone ear tips for better fit. Three sizes are available: small, medium, and large.
They are rated IPX4 to protect against rain and sweat.
The Pixel Buds Pro have the same features, except for the stem. The Pixel Buds Pro have a more traditional appearance, but they do come with sensors that measure the pressure in your ear to help alleviate discomfort. The ear tips are available in three sizes and match the IPX4 rating. It looks like Google has taken a lot of inspiration from Apple’s design manual.
The only difference is the colour range. Pixel Buds Pro comes in four different colours: Coral, Lemongrass Fog, Charcoal.
The Pixel Stand can charge both cases, but the Apple case supports MagSafe whereas the Google headphones are charged wirelessly.
The following are some examples of
AirPods Pro uses the H1 chip to reduce audio latency and facilitate hands-free Siri interactions. Battery life is at maximum 5 hours, and 3.5 hours for voice calls when using noise cancellation.
The Transparency mode allows users to hear their music while also hearing the environment around them. However, like noise cancellation, this feature is not adjustable so it’s impossible to change the amount of noise that you hear.
The Ear Tip Fit Test is another feature of AirPods Pro. It examines the seal quality and lets you know if you need to adjust your earbuds.
Pixel Buds Pro have a transparent mode and noise cancellation, but the battery life is improved to 7 hours with ANC enabled. The battery life of the AirPods Pro is 24 hours, compared to 20 hours for the Pixel Buds Pro. We didn’t test the ear tips on A-Series Pixel Buds, but it’s possible that they will be included in the new model.
Sound
AirPods Pro is the best AirPods wireless true model to date. It sounds great across a wide range of music genres and features deeper bass, better detail, and enhanced clarity. The soundstage of the AirPods Pro is larger than that of standard models, with a warmer sound that strives for rich bass performances.
We don’t yet know the sound of the Pixel Buds Pro, as they are a few more months from their launch. Google’s previous models will be the only thing we need to consider. The A-Series was one of the best-sounding true wireless models at a lower price. It offered a balanced, smooth, and clean presentation with a detailed and mid-range performance.
The bass was lacking impact, but the Volume EQ of the new model could remedy this. We found that the earbuds were on the safe side. Google needs to be more adventurous in its sound quality. It’s competing with some very strong competitors.
Verdict
It’s impossible to make a comparison at this point, as the Google Pixel Buds Pro haven’t been released yet and won’t for several months. We know that the Google Pixel Buds Pro are similar to the original Pixel Buds in terms of design and features, but we can’t compare the audio quality until we have a chance to test them.
They’re actually not in direct competition. AirPods Pro and Pixel Buds Pro were designed to be integrated with iOS. These noise-canceling earbuds will be a good option if you are considering purchasing a smartphone from either ecosystem.