Wireless earbuds have become a daily essential for many. As smartphone headphone jacks disappear, people turn to true wireless models for portable audio and calls on the go. Tech giants Google and Apple both offer premium earbuds to meet this demand – the Pixel Buds Pro and AirPods Pro.
Priced under $200, Google‘s new Pixel Buds Pro may tempt Android users. But Apple‘s iconic AirPods Pro have more years refining features and sound. Let‘s examine how these flagship earbuds stack up across all the technical categories that matter most.
Earbuds Overview
|| Google Pixel Buds Pro | Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) |
|-|:-:|:-:|
|Release Date|July 28, 2022| September 23, 2022 |
|Price|$199|$249|
|Colors |Coral, lemongrass, fog, charcoal | White only |
|Water resistance | IPX4 (earbuds and case) | IPX4 (earbuds only) |
|Bud battery life
(with/without ANC) | Up to 7 hours with ANC
Up to 11 hours without | Up to 4.5 hours with ANC
Up to 5.5 hours without |
|Case battery life | Up to 31 hours total | Up to 24 hours total |
|Noise canceling? | Yes, adaptive ANC | Yes, adjustable ANC |
|Customizable EQ? | No | Yes, through iOS settings |
|Wireless charging case?| Yes | Yes |
|Included eartips | 3 sizes | 3 sizes |
On paper, Google undercuts Apple on pricing while providing better battery life. However spectacular sound, seamless connectivity, and extras like EQ settings have been key AirPods selling points historically. Let‘s examine how the buds compare across various usage metrics starting with comfort.
Ergonomics and Fit
A secure in-ear fit remains crucial for long-term comfort and optimal noise isolation. Here‘s how the Pixel Buds Pro and AirPods Pro dimensions stack up:
|| Pixel Buds Pro | AirPods Pro |
|-|:-:|:-:|
|Earbud dimensions | 22.8 x 22.3 x 18.7 mm | 30.9 x 21.8 x 24 mm |
|Earbud weight | 5.4 g | 5.3 g |
|Eartips | Silicone (S/M/L) | Silicone (S/M/L) |
|Earstay/wingtip | Rigid | Interchangeable |
While exact dimensions differ slightly, both earbuds weigh an identical 5.3-5.4 grams each. Google employs a rigid "stabilizing arc" on Pixel Buds Pro rather than interchangeable wings. Reviewers don‘t report any major comfort differences. Much depends on finding your ideal eartip seal. AirPods Pro tend to maintain that tight seal longer during active use according to SoundGuys testing. But results vary person to person.
Audio Quality and Codec Support
Moving to sound, Pixel Buds Pro equip custom 6-core audio SoC processors with beamforming mics. Eleven mm dynamic speaker drivers deliver a spacious, lively profile. Frequency response spans 40 – 20,000 Hz (± 3db). That‘s on par with AirPods Pro‘s officially stated 20 – 20,000 Hz range. They share Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and support either lossy SBC or higher-res AAC codecs across devices. Qualcomm aptX codecs sadly aren‘t available to bolster Android compatibility.
AirPods Pro achieve slightly richer bass and vocal reproduction thanks to theirspecially-designed drivers plus sealed design optimized for performance.
Here‘s an breakdown of codec support/availability across various source devices:
|| SBC codec | AAC codec |
|-|:-:|:-:|
|Pixel Buds Pro | Available on all | Most Android 6.0+, iOS devices |
|AirPods Pro| Most non-iOS devices | iOS devices, Macs, Apple TV |
Audio tests reveal nuanced performance differences between the two earbuds…
- Pixel Buds Pro exhibit clean mids/highs with punchy bass well-suited to pop music. Soundstage sounds airy and spacious. However instrument separation falls short of AirPods Pro.
- AirPods Pro deliver superior balance across mids and highs alongside rich, forceful bass – albeit slightly boosted overall. The soundstage feels wider as well.
So while Pixel Buds Pro produce pleasing tunes for casual listening, audiophiles give AirPods Pro the nod for technical prowess. Their sound reproduction better captures a song‘s true dynamics and layered instrumentation. Much credit goes to Apple‘s hardware/software optimization.
Noise Cancellation and Transparency Modes
Noise cancellation has become a must for wireless earbuds from daily commutes to home offices. Here Pixel Buds Pro mark Google‘s first entry into active noise canceling following their 2020 Pixel Buds model. The earbuds utilize external and internal mics to counter ambient sounds.
- Pixel Buds Pro reduce detectable noise by 43.1db indBaccording to PCMag testing. That makes conversations and busy environments far lessintrusive. However some high-pitched noises may still poke through at times.
AirPods Pro set the gold standard for effective wireless ANC rivaling Sony and Bose. Upgraded noise-canceling comes courtesy Apple‘s latest H2 chip. By blocking up to 47.2 dB indB based on PCMag‘s metrics, AirPods Pro rank among the industry‘s best for diminishing external noise during music playback or calls.
|| Pixel Buds Pro | AirPods Pro |
|-|:-:|:-:|
|Noise canceling rating | Very Good | Excellent |
| Microphones for ANC | 2 external, 1 internal | 2 external |
Transparency modes on both earbuds mix in ambient sound so you remain aware of surroundings. However Pixel Buds Pro implementation gets criticized as sub-par and overly muffled. AirPods Pro transparency audio passes through naturally using precision tuning. You clearly hear conversations without removing earbuds.
AirPods Pro achieve noticeably better noise cancellation and transparency versus Pixel Buds Pro thanks to great mic implementation plus snug fit.
Battery Life
Battery longevity stands out as a crowning achievement for Google‘s Pixel Buds. While most premium earbuds last 4-6 hours for playback, Pixel Buds Pro deliver an class-leading 7 hours with ANC or 11 hours without. The accompanying charging case carries an additional 24+ hours of capacity. Total battery life therefore spans an incredible 31 hours with ANC enabled.
By comparison, AirPods Pro manage just 4.5 hours per charge with ANC on (5.5 hours with it off). Including case recharges, that translates to 24-30 hours in total – which remains very solid by industry standards. Google simply pulls ahead in the race for best battery life. Much credit goes to optimizations within Pixel Buds Pro‘s energy-efficient audio SoC. Just 10 minutes in the case provides roughly 1 hour of ANC listening too.
|| Pixel Buds Pro | AirPods Pro |
|-|:-:|:-:|
| Playback with ANC on | Up to 7 hours | Up to 4.5 hours |
| Playback without ANC | Up to 11 hours | Up to 5.5 hours |
| Total including case | 31 hours with ANC | 24-30 hours |
Remember volume levels and audio content affect battery drain significantly. Loud volumes run through charges quicker for example. But in terms of raw capacity, Pixel Buds Pro battery specs outlast AirPods Pro by a wide margin.
Special Features and Add-Ons
Beyond audio reproduction, wireless earbuds rely on proprietary firmware for modern conveniences. Google intends Pixel Buds Pro for tight Assistant integration complete with notifications readout and voice typing. You also get multi-point pairing across two source devices. Spatial audio support further arrived via recent update but needs polish. Additional functionality like Find My remains missing.
Thanks to Apple‘s streamlined H1/H2 silicon, AirPods play seamlessly within their broader ecosystem. Effortless setup, hot device switching, and hands-free "Hey Siri" all make usage a breeze. Automatic ear detection, personalized spatial audio, audio sharing between AirPod owners all outclass Pixel Buds tricks. You can customize EQ as well through iOS settings. Android compatibility works but loses out on certain perks.
|| Pixel Buds Pro | AirPods Pro |
|-|:-:|:-:|
| Multi-point pairing? | Yes, 2 devices | Yes, Apple devices only |
| Spatial/3D audio? | Yes, needs work| Yes, dynamic |
| Voice assistant | Google Assistant| Siri |
| Customizable EQ? | No | Yes via iOS settings |
So Pixel Buds promote better integration for Android phones whereas AirPods Pro really shine within Apple‘s hardware/software ecosystem. iOS owners get more customization options and magical pairing too.
Verdict: AirPods Pro Still Reign Supreme
Competition remains fierce between Pixel Buds Pro vs AirPods Pro earbuds. Google‘s just-released noise canceling models hold their own with rich audio, deep Assistant integration, and epic battery lifespan that trounces Apple. Yet thanks to striking sound quality, trend-setting ANC, and an unbeatable user experience across Apple devices, AirPods Pro retain their crown as overall winners for a reason.
Certain use cases like Android gaming or extended listening may warrant Pixel Buds Pro over AirPods Pro. And Google will likely continue refining features over time. But at the moment, you simply get superior hardware refinement, noise canceling, and seamless connectivity with AirPods Pro based on extensive testing. So for iPhone owners wanting the best true wireless earbuds money can buy, Apple AirPods Pro come highly recommended.
