70

AirPods 4 Earbuds

Open-fit TWS · 5h/30h · H2 chip · BT 5.3

$130

MSRP

55

Pixel Buds A Earbuds

In-ear TWS · 5h/24h · AAC · BT 5.0

$70

MSRP

Our verdict

The AirPods 4 Earbuds takes the performance lead with a 27% higher overall score, driven by its more shader cores, more of memory, and higher TFLOPS of compute power. In gaming benchmarks at 1440p, it delivers roughly 0% more frames per second across demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2.

However, the Pixel Buds A Earbuds tells a compelling value story. At $70 versus the AirPods 4 Earbuds's $130 price tag, it costs 86% less while delivering performance that's only 27% behind. Its of memory is still more than enough for 1440p and even 4K gaming in most titles.

Our recommendation: for the majority of gamers targeting 1440p or even 4K with upscaling enabled, the Pixel Buds A Earbuds is the smarter purchase. The AirPods 4 Earbuds only makes sense if you need the absolute maximum performance for native 4K ray tracing, professional 3D rendering, or AI workloads where the extra VRAM and compute power provide a tangible advantage.

Performance winner

AirPods 4 Earbuds

27% faster overall

Best value for money

Pixel Buds A Earbuds

2% better value per dollar

AirPods 4 Earbuds best for

Power efficiency

27% faster overall

Audio

Driver Size
11mm
12mm
Frequency Response
20Hz - 20kHz
20Hz - 20kHz
Form Factor
Open-fit TWS
In-ear TWS

Battery

Battery Life (ANC On)
5h
5h
Total with Case
30h
24h
Fast Charge
5min → 1h
15min → 2h

Comfort

Weight
4.3g
5.1g
IP Rating
IP54
IPX4
Wireless Charging
Yes (MagSafe + Qi)
No

Connectivity

Bluetooth
5.3
5.0
Codecs
AAC
AAC, SBC
Multipoint
No
No

Noise Cancellation

Active Noise Cancellation
No
No
Transparency Mode
No
No

Frequently asked questions

Is the AirPods 4 Earbuds worth $60 more than the Pixel Buds A Earbuds?

It depends on your needs. The AirPods 4 Earbuds scores 70 overall vs 55 for the Pixel Buds A Earbuds. If you need the extra performance for demanding tasks, the premium is justified. For most users gaming at 1440p or below, the Pixel Buds A Earbuds offers better value.

Which GPU is better for 1440p gaming, the AirPods 4 Earbuds or Pixel Buds A Earbuds?

The AirPods 4 Earbuds delivers higher frame rates at 1440p, but both GPUs handle 1440p gaming well. The AirPods 4 Earbuds provides more headroom for ray tracing and future titles, while the Pixel Buds A Earbuds still maintains smooth gameplay in current games.

Can the Pixel Buds A Earbuds handle 4K gaming?

The Pixel Buds A Earbuds can handle 4K gaming in less demanding titles and with upscaling technologies like DLSS or FSR. For native 4K at ultra settings in demanding games, the AirPods 4 Earbuds is the better choice with its higher performance ceiling.

Which should I buy, the AirPods 4 Earbuds or Pixel Buds A Earbuds?

Choose the Pixel Buds A Earbuds if you want the best value for money and primarily game at 1080p or 1440p. Choose the AirPods 4 Earbuds if you need maximum performance, play at 4K, or do professional workloads like video editing and 3D rendering.

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