Google Pixel Buds vs AirPods vs Galaxy Buds Plus specs and features review
Gone are the days when you had to tread along your morning jog with a cable dangling in front of you, or struggle to bench two hundred with uncomfortable neckware on. Yes, we are talking about the wireless buds that connect to your phone via Bluetooth, but also don’t have any physical connection between them to worry about. Well, you still have to worry about losing one of them “hearables,” but at least they all come with dedicated charge-and-carry cases.
Google Pixel Buds
With five hours of battery life (and five full charges in the supplied case), these are one of the mid-lasting truly wireless earphones. They are priced above the AirPods, but the translation thingy now works with phones other than the Pixel line, too.
The most overlooked new feature of the new Pixel Buds? Hands down the Adaptive Sound mode that lowers the volume in quiet places, and ratchets it up in noisy ones automagically without you lifting a finger, and keeping your eardrum safe in the meantime.
Google Pixel Buds
Google Pixel Buds vs AirPods, Galaxy and Echo Buds, Jabra Elite Active 75t features
| Price | ANC | Battery life | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pixel Buds 2020 | $179 | No | 5 hours Charges in the case – 5 |
|
| Samsung Galaxy Buds+ | $149.99 | No | 11 hours Charges in the case – 1 |
|
| Jabra Elite Active 75t | $199.99 | No | 7.5 hours Charges in the case – 3 |
|
| Apple AirPods Pro | $249 | Yes | 4.5 hours (ANC on) 5 hours (ANC off) Charges in the case – 4 |
|
| Apple AirPods 2 | $149 ($199 w/ wireless charging case) | No | 5 hours Charges in the case – 4 |
|
| Sony WF-1000XM3 | $230 | Yes | 6 hours (ANC on) 8 hours (ANC off) Charges in the case – 3 |
|
| Amazon Echo Buds | $130 | No | 5 hours Charges in the case – 3 |
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Samsung Galaxy Buds+ 2020
The IconX successors righted this wrong, to the point where we now are at record battery life in the world of true wireless buds provided by the Galaxy Buds+ – 11 hours on a single charge. Granted, you only have one extra charge in the case, but putting them in there as rarely as possible is the whole point of Samsung’s battery exercise.
At first brush, there aren’t many differences between the Buds and the Plus version. A second look, however, distances the Buds+ with new case and bud colors and finishes. Unlike the AirPods, for instance, or even the first-gen Buds, they are available in no less than four hues, including red and blue for the buds and case, in addition to the traditional black and white colors.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus wireless charging
As usual, they are “tuned by AKG” but lack active noise cancellation. Apart from these major enhancements, Samsung has managed to vastly improve the fast charging capabilities of its true wireless earphones too, as the Galaxy Buds+ will deliver a whole hour of playtime after just 3 minutes of charging.
Other notable upgrades seemingly include multi-device connectivity, a 2-way dynamic speaker with a woofer and a tweeter, two outer microphones instead of only one, and an improved touch pad with a direct link to Spotify.
Apple AirPods/Pro
Still the most popular true wireless kits, the AirPods and their Pro version aren’t the longest-lasting or fitness-y such buds out there, but they are some of the lightest and the Pro model has very good active noise cancellation considering they are not cans. If you are firmly entrenched in the Apple ecosphere, these are a no-brainer.