Google Pixel Buds 2a / Samsung Galaxy Buds FE

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.

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE: Galaxy Buds FE (SM-R400); Graphite or White. The Galaxy Buds3 FE released in 2025 is a separate product.

SpecificationGoogle Pixel Buds 2aSamsung Galaxy Buds FE
Release year20252023
TypeIn-ear true wireless; wing-tip stabiliser, four ear-tip sizes (XS, S, M, L) Google—
ProcessorGoogle Tensor A1 in each earbud Google—
Driver11 mm dynamic driver Google—
Noise cancellingActive 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		—
ConnectivityBluetooth 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		Bluetooth 5.2; Auto Switch, SmartThings Find

Auto Switch moves audio automatically between Galaxy phones, tablets and watches on the same Samsung account. SmartThings Find shows the buds’ last location.

Samsung
CallsTwo 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		—
BatteryANC on: 7 hours (20 hours with case); ANC off: 10 hours (27 hours with case); 5 minutes of charging gives 1 hour GoogleEarbud 60 mAh, case 479 mAh (typical); 6 hours with ANC on (21 hours with case), 8.5 hours with ANC off (30 hours with case); talk time 3.5 hours with ANC on

The case does not support wireless charging; it charges over a USB-C cable.

Samsung
Charging caseUSB-C charging; no wireless charging listed Google—
DurabilityEarbuds IP54, case IPX4

IP54 protects against dust and splashing water; the earbuds are not designed to be submerged.

Google		—
SensorsCapacitive touch controls; IR proximity sensor for in-ear detection; Hall sensor in the case GoogleProximity, Hall, touch

The proximity sensor pauses music when a bud is removed; the touch surface controls playback and modes.

Samsung
Size and weightEarbud 23.1 × 16.0 × 17.8 mm, 4.7 g; case 50.0 × 24.5 × 57.2 mm, 47.6 g with earbuds GoogleEarbud 17.1 × 19.2 × 22.2 mm, 5.6 g; case 50.0 × 27.7 × 50.0 mm, 40.0 g Samsung
UpdatesAutomatic security updates for at least three years from first availability on the US Google Store Google—
ColoursFog, Berry, Iris, Hazel Google—
Driver and sound—1-way speaker; Scalable (Samsung proprietary), AAC and SBC codecs

The Scalable codec is Samsung’s codec that adjusts bitrate to connection quality and works with Galaxy devices; other phones use AAC or SBC. The high-resolution SSC Hi-Fi codec is not supported.

Samsung
Noise cancellation—Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Ambient Sound

ANC picks up outside sound with microphones and suppresses it with an inverse wave; Ambient Sound lets outside sound in so you can hear without removing the buds.

Samsung
Microphones—3 microphones per earbud (2 outer + 1 inner)

Samsung says automatic personalized beamforming and a DNN separate speech from background noise.

Samsung
Fit—3 sizes of ear tips and 2 sizes of wingtips

Wingtips grip the ear to help the buds stay in place during exercise.

Samsung
Compatibility—Android 8.0 or later with more than 1.5 GB of RAM

Some features do not work on non-Samsung devices.

Samsung