Overall Score 8.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 7.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | Google Pixel Buds Pro | Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
weight | 12.4g | 8.56g | |
has no wires or cables | ✓ | ✓ | |
wingtips included | ✓ | ✗ | |
sweat resistance | ✓ | ✓ | |
has stereo speakers | ✓ | ✓ | |
SOUND QUALITY | has active noise cancellation (noise control) | ✓ | ✓ |
has passive noise reduction | ✓ | ✓ | |
driver unit size | 11mm | 11mm | |
lowest frequency | 20Hz | 10Hz | |
highest frequency | 20,000Hz | 20,000Hz | |
sound pressure level | 75dB/mW | ✗ | |
POWER | battery life | 11hours | 6hours |
battery life of charging case | 20hours | 30hours | |
charge time | 1hours | 0.3hours | |
has wireless charging | ✓ | ✓ | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✓ | ✗ |
bluetooth version | v5 | v5 | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 10meters | |
has aac | ✓ | ✓ | |
has ldac | ✓ | ✗ | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | 6only | 6only |
has a noise-canceling microphone | ✓ | ✓ | |
EXTRAS | has ambient sound mode | ✓ | ✗ |
has in/on-ear detection | ✓ | ✓ | |
has find earbuds feature | ✓ | ✓ | |
supports fast charging | ✓ | ✓ | |
multipoint count | 2only | 2only | |
has a mute function | ✓ | ✓ | |
control panel placed on a device | ✓ | ✓ | |
warranty period | ✗ | 1Years | |
has voice prompts | ✓ | ✓ | |
travel bag is included | ✓ | ✓ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
Ingress protection ratings refer to the level of protection offered by a casing, against solids and water. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating represents protection against solids say dust, followed by the one that refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).
Scoring IPX4, the Google Pixel Buds Pro's rating for solids indicates that no data available to specify a protection rating, and of liquids that they can withstand low pressure spray similar to that of a shower head when tilted at 180° for 10 minutes. Compared to the Google Pixel Buds Pro, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a rating of IPX4 meaning that
we are not yet certain of their rating with solids (dust)
and that of liquids is that,
they both have the same rating against liquids
Google Pixel Buds Pro have a weight of 12.4g . We prefer a lower weight best because lighter devices are easier to move with.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), at 8.56g are lighter than the Google Pixel Buds Pro with a difference -3.84g True wireless devices have no cables connecting any part of the device together, Google Pixel Buds Pro are true wireless for this case since they don't have wires. This is a major difference as some wireless earbuds have wires linking the pair of earbuds together. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) also is true wireless since it has no cables connecting the two earbuds . The Google Pixel Buds Pro come with wingtips, these are reserved for earbuds for workouts and are usually an optional add-on to the separate silicone ear tip for a better fit.
Google Pixel Buds Pro are resistant to sweat Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s resistance to sweat makes both devices fit for use during long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits, etc Google Pixel Buds Pro have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) also have stereo speakers ANC uses more advanced kind of tech to reduce unwanted ambient sounds. How it works, it listens to the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and then inverts the soundwaves to counter it.
In simple terms, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) then adding -1 (inverted noise) to make 0 thus "diluting" the noise.
The Google Pixel Buds Pro have Active Noise Cancellation allowing you to listen at lower levels of volume, causing less ear fatigue since you don't need to crank up the earbuds volume to overcome background sounds. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too have Active Noise Cancellation making either of the devices ideal for plane rides and morning travels.
The Google Pixel Buds Pro and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) operate with different noise cancellation settings, pick the mode that you prefer for commute or that suites your relaxation time. The Google Pixel Buds Pro sit well in place, this creates a sound covering that tones down background sounds well as preventing the earbuds sound from leaking out at the same. Both Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), and Google Pixel Buds Pro have passive noise reduction this means that they limit ambient noise without using ANC to cancel it out.
The Google Pixel Buds Pro driver unit is 11mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, and can produce better bass. The driver unit is the component that produces sound in the earbuds, the unit size determines the sound made by the earbuds. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) driver unit is 11mm in diameter, making both devices similar in how loud their sound gets , a common assumption that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers usually have difficulty producing high frequencies so it's true that, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not indicate that they produce better quality sound. The Google Pixel Buds Pro's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well a particular audio component produces low recognizable frequencies and if it alters the signal on its way through. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 10Hz, this means that
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) can produce a juicier bass than the Google Pixel Buds Pro
Google Pixel Buds Pro's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response shows how well a particular audio component produces high recognizable frequencies and if it changes to the signal on its way through.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that both devices produce equal treble SPL, is the pressure level of sound, measured in decibels, dB, Google Pixel Buds Pro's measurement is 75dB/mW. Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source. The Google Pixel Buds Pro's battery life is 11 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average for a single charge.
A device's battery life is given by the manufacturer, and with more battery hours, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery life is less than that of Google Pixel Buds Pro by 5 hours . Every time you recharge your device, they get a little less listening time. The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time.
This is given by the manufacturer, and the Google Pixel Buds Pro's case is said to have a charge of 20 hours. A charging case with more battery hours allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go multiple times before recharging the case itself. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s charging case has a battery life of 30 hours, more than that of Google Pixel Buds Pro by 10 hours It takes 1 hours to fully charge the Google Pixel Buds Pro's battery.
It is highly adivsable to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds when they have been in storage for extended periods. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) takes 0.3 hours to fully charge the battery, less than that of Google Pixel Buds Pro by 0.7 hours The Google Pixel Buds Pro, the device supports wireless charging. To charge the device, you simply place down on a supported charging pad.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) also support wireless charging, take note of the charging standard of the earbuds. The Google Pixel Buds Pro have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the earbuds has a low battery. Its lights display the charging status of your device and charging case.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you determine the charging state of your earbuds, if charged fully, or the battery is running low. Google Pixel Buds Pro support USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable. The Google Pixel Buds Pro have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data transfers between devices placed in range, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) has a Bluetooth version of 5, equal to that of the Google Pixel Buds Pro . Newer versions provide faster data transfers. The Google Pixel Buds Pro have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the Google Pixel Buds Pro Google Pixel Buds Pro support AAC, a codec used for Bluetooth audio.
It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Since it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it can provide better results than other codecs at a similar bit rate.
Being the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Google Pixel Buds Pro will work fine with your iPad.
If you are planning on using these with Android you need to pay even closer attention to codec support for if they only have AAC they won't provide the best audio quality possible, ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support AAC as well. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves higher sound quality than MP3 encoders at the same bit rate.
Google Pixel Buds Pro support LDAC, a codec developed by Sony which allows streaming high-resolution audio over Bluetooth connections at up to 990 kbps at 32 bit/96 kHz. It can reach a high bitrate of 990kbps, which provides high-resolution audio. Google Pixel Buds Pro have 6 microphones.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) microphones are 6, equal to that of the Google Pixel Buds Pro . More microphones result in better sound quality and help the earbuds to filter out noise. The Google Pixel Buds Pro have a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are made to reduce background sounds from the desired sound. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too have a noise-canceling type of microphone.
This is useful in noisy areas. Google Pixel Buds Pro support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient sound so that they can still be heard even while wearing them The Google Pixel Buds Pro support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when they are removed from your ears . Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears saving battery life. If lost in a room, or can't be found in your bag, the Google Pixel Buds Pro support the find earbuds feature.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too have the find earbuds feature. Use the device app on your smartphone to play a sound from your earbuds to help you locate them. The Google Pixel Buds Pro support fast charging.
Commonly, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to lower the time it takes to charge the earbuds. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, just that the battery fills up much faster.
For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in 30 minutes. The Google Pixel Buds Pro have a multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you connect to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. For example, you can seemlessly switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a multipoint count of 2, equal to that of the Google Pixel Buds Pro . Bluetooth multipoint is useful because you can be on one call and not miss notifications from another device. Google Pixel Buds Pro have a mute function, they have the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too have the mute function.
It means that you unilaterally turn off the device's microphone, but still hear the other party talk. With the Google Pixel Buds Pro, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the earbuds. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too have a control panel on them.
Google Pixel Buds Pro support voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information through audio messages, like if there is a problem with the connection. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) also have voice prompts meaning the earbuds notifies you if the battery is low, and it's time to recharge them.
Google Pixel Buds Pro come with a special case. Carrying earphones openly, or placing them in your bag without a cover can easily put them at risk of getting damaged. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too have a case included, which is useful for safe transportation.