Stuff - UK (2021-08)

1

2

3

73

VERSUS BUDGET BUDS

Connecting to Android is as easy as lifting the lid on the

case – and Pixel phone owners don’t even need an app.

There’s no ANC, but ‘adaptive sound’ raises the volume as

ambient sound levels increase. For the most part, it works.

Huawei’s ANC isn’t great –you can still hear pretty much

everything, although the most music-trampling traffic

frequencies are kept out. Little touch-sensitive spots on

the stalks cover ANC and playback control; these work well.

‘Spatial vents’ make for a more gentle seal for comfortable

listening and a wider soundstage, at the expense of letting

in some ambient noise. The 12mm drivers deliver clear,

well-balanced audio that does any music justice.

Large 14.3mm drivers are the best approach for semi-open

earphones like this, ramping up the bass a bit to make up for

the stuff lost to the air. They sound good for this class, but

struggle against ear-blocking buds for power and dynamics.

The A-Series are indistinguishable from last year’s Pixel

Buds: low-key circles with touch controls and no dangly

bits. The silicone anchor is soft, but takes some twisting to

get the sound right; the charging case is a smooth pebble.

Dead ringers for the original AirPods, these hard plastic

earphones sit in the ear rather than blocking it with a silicone

tip. They may feel like they’ll fall out, but they actually hang

in there happily even when you go for a run.

Audio 14.3mm dynamic drivers

Connectivity Bluetooth 5.2, USB-C and Qi charging

Battery life 2.5hrs (buds with ANC), 22hrs (case)

Water-resistance IPX4

Weight 4.1g each, 38g case

Audio 12mm dynamic drivers

Connectivity Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C charging

Battery life 5hrs (buds), 24hrs (case)

Water-resistance IPX4

Weight 5.1g each, 43g case

O Price £100 / stuff.tv/PixelA O Price £130 / stuff.tv/FreeBuds4

Having ANC doesn’t guarantee you’re best buds – Google’s in-ears just sound better

1. DESIGN


2. SOUND


3. SMARTS

VS

++++, STUFF SAYS +++,,

Google Pixel Buds A-Series Huawei FreeBuds 4

[^ W

or

ds

To

m

M

or
ga

n^ a

nd

A
nd

re
w
W

illi
am

s^
]

The ready pairs’ picnic

These affordable in-ears are designed as ideal partners for their own brands’ phones

Swap the cavalry

The Huawei AI Life

app enables you to

manage all devices

paired to the buds

on a single screen,

and you can use

it to transfer

audio easily

between them.

Playing with wire

For the Pixels it’s

USB-C charging

or nothing, with

wireless ditched

to bring the price

down. Expect 5hrs

of playback, with

a further 24 from

the case.

TE

ST

W

IN

NE

R