Google Pixel Buds 2a / Apple AirPods (3rd generation)

Google Pixel Buds 2a: Pixel Buds 2a in-ear earbuds with a USB-C charging case; the Fog, Berry, Iris and Hazel colours share the same hardware. The Pixel Buds A-Series and Pixel Buds Pro 2 are separate models.

Apple AirPods (3rd generation): AirPods (3rd generation) launched in 2021 with the MagSafe Charging Case; from 2022 a version with the Lightning Charging Case was also sold. The earbuds are the same with either case. AirPods 4, AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro are separate models.

Specification	Google Pixel Buds 2a	Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
Release year	2025	2021
Type	In-ear true wireless; wing-tip stabiliser, four ear-tip sizes (XS, S, M, L) Google	—
Processor	Google Tensor A1 in each earbud Google	—
Driver	11 mm dynamic driver Google	—
Noise cancelling	Active noise cancellation (Silent Seal 1.5); transparency mode; active in-ear pressure relief Pressure relief adjusts pressure in the ear canal to reduce the blocked feeling of a sealed in-ear design. Google	—
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.4; pairs with Bluetooth 4.0+ devices Full features need an Android 6.0+ phone and a Google account; on iPhone basic listening works but app settings are unavailable. Google	—
Calls	Two microphones per earbud; Bluetooth super wideband; Clear Calling; wind-blocking mesh Super wideband carries a wider audio range on calls with compatible Pixel phones. Google	—
Battery	ANC on: 7 hours (20 hours with case); ANC off: 10 hours (27 hours with case); 5 minutes of charging gives 1 hour Google	Up to 6 hours of listening per charge (5 hours with Personalised Spatial Audio on); up to 30 hours with the case; 5 minutes in the case ≈ 1 hour of listening Apple
Charging case	USB-C charging; no wireless charging listed Google	MagSafe Charging Case (MagSafe, Qi and Lightning) or Lightning Charging Case The included cable is Lightning to USB-C; there is no adapter. Apple
Durability	Earbuds IP54, case IPX4 IP54 protects against dust and splashing water; the earbuds are not designed to be submerged. Google	—
Sensors	Capacitive touch controls; IR proximity sensor for in-ear detection; Hall sensor in the case Google	—
Size and weight	Earbud 23.1 × 16.0 × 17.8 mm, 4.7 g; case 50.0 × 24.5 × 57.2 mm, 47.6 g with earbuds Google	Earbud (each): 30.79 × 18.26 × 19.21 mm, 4.28 g; case: 46.40 × 54.40 × 21.38 mm, 37.91 g Apple
Updates	Automatic security updates for at least three years from first availability on the US Google Store Google	—
Colours	Fog, Berry, Iris, Hazel Google	—
Design and fit	—	Open-fit in-ear design without silicone tips; short stem Because the earbud does not seal the canal, ambient sound is heard; fit depends on ear shape and there are no interchangeable tips. Apple
Audio technology	—	Custom high-excursion Apple driver; custom high dynamic range amplifier; Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ Adaptive EQ measures what is heard in the ear with the inward-facing microphone and adjusts the tuning to the fit in real time. Head tracking anchors sound to the Apple device’s screen. There is no active noise cancellation or transparency mode. Apple
Chip and connectivity	—	H1 headphone chip; Bluetooth 5.0 Automatic device switching, “Hey Siri” and one-tap pairing work with Apple devices. Apple
Sensors and microphones	—	Dual beamforming microphones, inward-facing microphone, skin-detect sensor, motion and speech-detecting accelerometers, force sensor The skin-detect sensor pauses playback when an earbud is removed. Apple
Controls	—	Press the stem once to play/pause or answer a call; twice to skip forward or end a call; three times to skip back; press and hold for Siri There is no on-bud volume control. Apple
Sweat and water resistance	—	IPX4: earbuds and charging case IPX4 protects against splashes; it is not for submersion. Apple