14 DAY TRIAL // Announced last October, the new Microsoft Surface Earbuds finally have a release date, with Microsoft revealing that customers can pre-order them today, with shipping to start on May 12.
Considered one of most powerful alternatives to Apple’s AirPods, the Surface Earbuds come with a totally different design as compared to the traditional wireless earbuds.
The puck design, however, clearly reminds of the Microsoft Surface brand, which is exactly what the software giant has most likely tried to get in the first place. The Surface brand itself has grown a lot in the last few years, and Microsoft is hoping that the new Earbuds would help expand it beyond the PC industry that’s already fully committed to.
One of the biggest changes announced today for the Surface Earbuds is a lower price tag. While Microsoft originally announced the Earbuds would come with a $249 price tag, they will actually go on sale with a $199 price tag, which makes more sense given the existing alternatives.
The AirPods Pro are sold for $249, so releasing the Surface Earbuds with a $199 price tag gives Microsoft the chance to position its new device as a more affordable alternative. Furthermore, it also brings them closer to the $179 Google Pixel Buds, so in terms of pricing, the Surface Earbuds are placed exactly where they are supposed to be.
The Surface Earbuds are painted in a Light Gray color which Microsoft calls Glacier and which truly defines the Surface brand, as many of the Surface PCs come with a similar finish.
There are two microphones per earbud, and each tips the scales at just 7.2 grams. The charging case adds some 40 extra grams, so it’s very comfortable to carry around.
The Surface Earbuds can provide up to 24 hours of battery life thanks to this case, and a fast charging system allows for up to 1 hour of battery life with just a 10-minute charge.
There are gestures like touch, tap, and swipe, but Microsoft is also betting big on voice control. This means the Surface Earbuds aren’t necessarily supposed to let you listen to music, but to actually stay productive, again the thing that defines the entire Surface brand. For example, the Earbuds can be used to dictate in Microsoft Office, but also to listen to, delete, and reply with mails using the voice through the Outlook mobile app for iOS.
“Experience rich, immersive Omnisonic sound and instantly play Spotify from your Android phone with a triple tap on either earbud. Screen-free integration with Microsoft 365 lets you catch up on emails with Play My Emails in the Outlook Mobile App for iOS or allow you to dictate in Word, Outlook or PowerPoint. Enjoy all-day battery life with the included wireless charging case. Surface Earbuds are priced at $199 and will be available starting May 12,” Microsoft explains.
As compared to Apple’s AirPods Pro, Microsoft’s Surface Earbuds come with one major advantage: it works with any device that has Bluetooth 4.1 or 4.2 (Bluetooth 5.0 is missing, so it’s more likely on the second-generation model).
For example, the Earbuds can pair with Windows 10, Android 4.4 and newer, iPhone 5 and newer (running iOS 9 or newer) devices, but the best experience, including the voice control mentioned above, is only available on Apple’s smartphones.
The Surface Earbuds come with an IPX4 waterproof rating and include 3 pairs of silicone ear tips with different sizes (small, large, and medium).
They are available for pre-order today, with shipping scheduled to begin on May 11 in the United States and Canada.