Pixel Buds A-Series vs AirPods 4: How Do They Stack Up?
Naila Syifa
Updated January 2025
The Pixel Buds A-Series (US$99) was released in 2021, but it remains a solid option for people looking for an affordable but capable pair of wireless earbuds. Meanwhile, the Apple AirPods 4 is the latest iteration of Apple's popular wireless earbuds, released in 2024 at US$129 for the standard variant and US$179 for the version with active noise cancellation.
With a $30-80 price gap between the two models, how do the Pixel Buds A-Series and Apple AirPods 4 stack up against each other?
Key Takeaways
The Pixel Buds A-Series may have a more secure and customizable fit with its stabilizer arc and multiple ear tip sizes, but the AirPods 4 compensates with a more durable design that is protected against dust and water splashes. Additionally, the AirPods 4 boasts a more advanced audio experience, including features like Personalized Spatial Audio and Active Noise Cancellation, which the Pixel Buds A-Series lacks.
Pixel Buds A-Series
Rich Sound, For Less
✓ Adaptive Sound
✓ Real-Time Translation
✓ Google Assistant
✓ 5-Hour Listening Time
AirPods 4
The Next Evolution of Sound & Comfort
✓ Optional ANC & Transparency Mode
✓ Personalized Spatial Audio
✓ Siri & Siri Interactions
✓ IP54 Earbuds & Case
Design
Pixel Buds A-Series
Both earbuds have very different design philosophies. The Pixel Buds A-Series has a stemless, in-ear design with touch controls on the outer shell, while the AirPods 4 boasts a stemmed open-ear design with a force sensor on the stem.
The difference in looks largely comes down to personal preference, but an in-ear design typically offers better noise isolation while an open-ear design prioritizes situational awareness.
What's great about the A-Series design is the integrated stabilizer arc, which provides extra grip inside the ear, making it suitable for more active use. There are also ear tips coming in 3 size options, so you can find the perfect fit for your ears.
Meanwhile, the AirPods 4 lacks any stabilization mechanism. It doesn't even come with silicone ear tips, relying solely on the stem design to stay in place. While it's adequate for everyday listening and walking, it may be less secure and fall out more easily during more vigorous activities like running or working out.
However, what gives the AirPods 4 an advantage over the Pixel Buds A-Series is the durability. Both the buds and the case have an IP54 rating, which means they are protected against dust and splashing water, making them suitable for outdoor use and workouts.
Meanwhile, the Pixel Buds A-Series only has an IPX4 rating just for the earbuds, not the charging case, which means it can withstand splashes of water but is not dust-resistant.
Features
AirPods 4
Audio features on the AirPods 4 are more advanced overall. For example, there is Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, which creates a personal, immersive, theater-like soundstage that tailors the listening experience to your unique ear and head shape. Pixel Buds A-Series has no spatial audio or head tracking support.
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation variant also offers four additional features that the standard AirPods 4 lack: Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency Mode, Adaptive Audio, and Conversation Awareness.
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). This blocks out external noise, allowing you to focus on your music, podcasts, or calls.
- Transparency Mode. This increases situational awareness by letting in some ambient sound, so you can hear your surroundings while still enjoying your audio.
- Adaptive Audio. When enabled, this mode combines ANC and Transparency Mode to automatically adjust the noise level to your environment.
- Conversation Awareness. This automatically lowers the volume when it detects you're speaking.
Pixel Buds A-Series offers neither ANC nor Transparency Mode. It instead has a feature called "Adaptive Sound", but this is not similar to the Adaptive Audio feature on AirPods 4 at all. Adaptive Sound auto-adjusts the volume based on the surroundings, increasing it when you're in a noisy environment and decreasing it when it's quieter.
It's more similar to the Conversation Awareness feature on AirPods 4 in that both features automatically adjust the volume, but the A-Series adjusts it based on the noise levels around you while AirPods 4 adjusts it based on whether you are speaking or not.
Pixel Buds A-Series
Apart from the audio features, smart features like voice assistant support are also important to consider. The Pixel Buds A-Series offers hands-free Google Assistant access, while the AirPods 4 works with Siri. That means, with either pair of earbuds, you can use your voice to control music playback, get information, and more.
However, Siri is one step ahead in the game. Siri Interactions can detect your head nodding yes and shaking no, allowing you to answer/dismiss calls and more with just a simple head gesture. This is particularly useful when you're not comfortable speaking out loud.
Despite failing to catch up in this head gesture feature, the Pixel Buds A-Series stands out with a Real-Time Translation feature. You can say something in your language, then the earbuds will play the translated audio via the Translate app on your phone. When the other person responds, the phone translates their words back to you through the earbuds.
Compatibility
AirPods 4
Pixel Buds A-Series can connect to Android and iOS phones, but in-app customization and key features like Adaptive Sound and Real-Time Translation are only available on Android devices.
On the contrary, the AirPods 4 can connect to Android phones via Bluetooth, but most of its features like Personalized Spatial Audio, Active Noise Cancellation, and Siri integration work best when paired with an Apple device.
Therefore, the Pixel Buds A-Series is best suited for Android users, while the AirPods 4 is more optimized for Apple device owners.
Battery Life
Pixel Buds A-Series
The Pixel Buds A-Series offers up to 5 hours of continuous listening on a single charge, with the charging case providing up to 24 hours of total battery life.
The AirPods 4 can also last up to 5 hours on a single charge, but the case packs more power with up to 30 hours of total battery life. However, this only applies when the ANC is disabled.
When the ANC is enabled, the listening time drops to 4 hours on a single charge or up to 20 hours with the charging case. That's considerably less than the Pixel Buds A-Series.
Pixel Buds A-Series vs AirPods 4
Final Thoughts
AirPods 4
Comparing the Pixel Buds A-Series and the AirPods 4 is like comparing apples and oranges. They're too different and are designed for different device ecosystems. If you're Android-centric, then the answer is obviously the Pixel Buds A-Series. And if you're an Apple fan, then the AirPods 4 is the way to go.
However, if you want a head-to-head comparison without considering device compatibility, then the AirPods 4 is definitely the superior option. It offers more advanced audio capabilities, including Personalized Spatial Audio, Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency Mode, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, and Siri Interactions, all of which the Pixel Buds A-Series has no equivalent features for.
The Pixel Buds A-Series' advantages lie in its more secure in-ear design with a stabilizer arc, the Real-Time Translation feature, and its lower price point. These are valuable but may not be enough to outweigh the AirPods 4's more advanced features.
If you like to read more about wireless earbuds, check out our other relevant guides here:
Best Wireless Earbuds
Pixel Buds A-Series vs Pixel Buds 2 Pro
Pixel Buds A-Series vs Galaxy Buds FE
Pixel Buds A-Series vs Beats Studio Buds
Pixel Buds Pro 2 vs Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Pixel Buds Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 2
Pixel Buds 2 Pro vs Sony WF-1000XM5
Author
Naila Syifa
Content Manager at Synced. She crafts insightful content on the latest trends in technology, consumer electronics, and smart home gadgets.
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