Google Pixel Buds 2a / Apple AirPods 4

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 4: AirPods 4 (2024), the basic model without active noise cancellation; USB‑C charging case. The same-design AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation and the AirPods Pro models are separate.

Specification	Google Pixel Buds 2a	Apple AirPods 4
Release year	2025	2024
Type	In-ear true wireless; wing-tip stabiliser, four ear-tip sizes (XS, S, M, L) Google	Open-fit (no silicone tips) wireless earbuds; USB‑C charging case This is the basic AirPods 4 without active noise cancellation. The identical-looking “AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation” is a separate product. Apple
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	Bluetooth 5.3 It works as a Bluetooth headset with Android and other devices, but Apple says functions may be limited. Full features require current iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS or tvOS. Apple
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 5 hours listening per charge; up to 30 hours total with the case; 5 minutes in the case ≈ 1 hour listening Apple measured these figures at 50% volume with Spatial Audio off. Apple
Charging case	USB-C charging; no wireless charging listed Google	—
Durability	Earbuds IP54, case IPX4 IP54 protects against dust and splashing water; the earbuds are not designed to be submerged. Google	IP54 dust, sweat and water resistance (earbuds and case) According to Apple this is for non-water sports and exercise; resistance is not permanent and may decrease with wear. Do not charge when wet. Apple
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: 30.2 × 18.3 × 18.1 mm, 4.3 g; case: 46.2 × 50.1 × 21.2 mm, 32.3 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	—
Audio technology	—	Custom high‑excursion Apple driver, custom high dynamic range amplifier; Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ Adaptive EQ tunes the sound to the fit in the ear. Spatial Audio needs supported content; the personal profile is created with an iPhone that has a TrueDepth camera. Apple
Noise control	—	Vent system for pressure equalisation; active noise cancellation only on the separately sold ANC model At launch Apple offered two distinct models: AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. This model has an open design that does not seal the ear canal. Apple
Chip	—	H2 headphone chip H2 enables Voice Isolation, Siri Interactions with head gestures and Personalised Spatial Audio. Apple
Microphones and sensors	—	Dual beamforming microphones, inward‑facing microphone, optical in‑ear sensor, motion- and speech-detecting accelerometers, force sensor The speech-detecting accelerometer helps detect when you are speaking; the optical sensor resumes playback when the bud is put in. Apple
Controls	—	Press the stem: once to play/pause or answer, twice to skip forward or end a call, three times to skip back, press and hold for Siri; “Siri” voice activation; nod or shake your head to answer calls Apple’s control list does not include volume adjustment on the stem. Apple
Charging	—	Charging case with USB‑C port; USB‑C cable sold separately Apple says the case is more than 10 percent smaller in volume than its predecessor. Charging with an Apple Watch charger or Qi-certified charger is specific to the ANC model. Apple
Accessibility	—	Live Listen, headphone levels, Headphone Accommodations Apple