Google Pixel Buds 2a / Sony WH-CH720N

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.

Sony WH-CH720N: WH-CH720N closed over-ear wireless headphones; black, white, blue and pink. The WH-CH710N (previous generation), WH-CH520 (no ANC) and the WH-1000X series are separate models.

SpecificationGoogle Pixel Buds 2aSony WH-CH720N
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		Active noise cancelling with Integrated Processor V1 and Dual Noise Sensor; Ambient Sound mode

Microphones inside and outside each cup sample noise to generate an inverse signal; Ambient Sound mode lets you hear surroundings without removing the headphones.

Sony
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		—
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 GoogleMusic up to 35 hours with NC on, 50 hours off; calls up to 35 hours NC on, 40 hours off; about 3.5 hours to charge over USB Sony
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 Google—
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 Google—
UpdatesAutomatic security updates for at least three years from first availability on the US Google Store Google—
ColoursFog, Berry, Iris, Hazel Google—
Driver and frequency—30 mm dynamic driver; 7–20,000 Hz (JEITA); 20–20,000 Hz over Bluetooth (44.1 kHz) Sony
Bluetooth and codecs—Bluetooth 5.2; A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP; SBC and AAC; about 10 m range

AAC works well as the default codec on iPhones; no high-bitrate codec is listed.

Sony
Multipoint—Connection to two Bluetooth devices at the same time

For example, you can switch between a phone and a laptop without re-pairing.

Sony
Wired use—Detachable cable of about 1.2 m with gold-plated L-shaped 3.5 mm plug; passive operation

When the battery runs out you can keep listening passively over the cable.

Sony
Microphone and processing—Precise Voice Pickup beamforming mic; wind noise reduction structure; DSEE

DSEE tries to restore high frequencies lost in compressed music files.

Sony
Impedance and sensitivity—NC on 325 Ω / off 31 Ω (1 kHz); NC on 108 dB/mW / off 99 dB/mW Sony
Weight—About 192 g Sony