I looked for an ‘AirPods for Android’ alternative and found my perfect pair of earbuds

I’ve noticed a question asked more often of late when discussing Bluetooth earbuds. “When are we going to get AirPods for Android?” That question isn’t what it seems on the surface. AirPods already pair with Android phones, with limited functionality, and it’s almost certain that Apple won’t improve that experience. No, what users like me want is an AirPods equivalent for Android — a default choice to turn to. Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 are the obvious choice, but I think the Beats Studio Buds Plus are a good alternative for one big reason, and what do you know? Apple makes them!

To begin, let me explain why people are drawn to AirPods. When Apple released the AirPods in 2016 alongside the iPhone 7, they weren’t the first Bluetooth earbuds, but they were one of the first to go mainstream, thanks in no large part to the iPhone 7 dropping the headphone jack. In the nearly nine years since, AirPods have become the defacto earbud for iPhone users. The AirPods Pro 2 sound great and have some excellent features, but what matters most is that they’re so easy to use. You pop the lid, tap the button that pops up on your iPhone, and start listening to music.