Samsung recently unveiled its "fan-edition" Galaxy Buds 3 FE earbuds ($150), a more affordable version of its flagship Galaxy Buds Pro 3 earbuds that leave off a few features. You can think about Google's Pixel Buds 2A ($130) in much the same way.
Essentially a slightly stripped-down version of Google's highly rated flagship Pixel Buds Pro 2 ($229), they look very similar but don't offer quite the same performance or feature set for a more affordable price. Introduced at Google's Pixel 10 launch event, they're available now for preorder in hazel or iris and ship Oct. 9.
Read more: Best Wireless Earbuds of 2025
Google says the Pixel Buds 2A's design was "inspired" by the Pixel Buds Pro 2's design and, at first glance, it's not so easy to figure out what's different about them. While the Pixel Buds 2A are also powered by Google Tensor A1 chip, they're missing a microphone in each bud (they have two mics per bud while the Buds Pro 2 have three) and the Buds 2A leave off wireless charging, a voice accelerometer, head tracking for spatial audio and a ringtone speaker in the case for Find My Device.
While the Buds 2A weigh exactly the same as the Buds Pro 2 (4.7 grams) and also have 11mm drivers, their battery life is rated for an hour less -- 7 hours instead of 8 with noise canceling on. They also feature Silent Seal 1.5 for noise canceling instead of Silent Seal 2.0, which presumably means their noise canceling isn't quite as good. Here's a full list of the differences between the two earbuds that I found.
Watch this: Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL First Look: Familiar Design, New AI Tricks 08:04
How the Google Pixel Buds 2A are different from Pixel Buds Pro 2
Two microphones per bud instead of three
No wireless charging or ringtone speaker in the case for Find My Device
No voice accelerometer to help detect when you're talking
... continue reading