What you need to know
- Google has finally launched the Pixel Buds internationally after a U.S. debut.
- The earbuds are now sold in the UK, Canada, France, Australia, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Singapore, and Spain.
- Google plans to launch the Buds in a new Almost Black shade this summer, with more colors promised.
Google's Pixel Buds are now available for purchase in other countries, including the UK at £179 and Canada at $239. Like in the U.S, they'll ship in Clearly White at launch, but Google plans to bring a new Almost Black shade to all stores later in the summer period. It may also launch Oh So Orange, and Quite Mint in the US at the same time. Aside from the UK and Canada, the Pixel Buds will now be sold in France, Australia, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Singapore, and Spain.
Reviewing the Pixel Buds, Android Central's Andrew Martonik said:
[With] the earbuds themselves, Google did a fine job as well. They're small, unassuming, and pretty comfortable, have great touch controls, and good well-rounded sound quality that automatically adjusts to drown out changes in ambient noise. Call quality going the other direction is also good, for those who need it. Battery life is the one sore spot, with longevity that's 2-4 hours less than some of the competition.Stopping right there, you can easily see the Pixel Buds being worth $179 — that's the going rate for high-end true wireless earbuds, and these are among the best. The rest of the "smart" features of the earbuds are either inconsequential or just icing on the cake. Not everyone is going to rely on the spoken notifications or hands-free voice commands, and the Google translate functionality isn't as useful as you'd think
While the Buds did (and still do to some extent) have teething issues at launch, Google has promised to fix them with upcoming updates, including one which it pushed out just a few weeks ago.
Google Pixel Buds review, 2 months later: Still my favorite true wireless earbuds
Pixel Buds (2020)
The 2020 Pixel Buds are a well designed, very Googly take on wireless earbuds. Their software features are useful if you buy into the usefulness of digital assistants, but it's the sound quality and physical design of these AirPods contenders that draw the most accolades.
