Most leaks of the Google Pixel Buds A have focused on the wireless earbuds being a cheaper successor to the Pixel Buds 2 and a more affordable competitor to the upcoming Apple AirPods 3.

However, it is largely unclear how the Pixel Buds A will cut costs in order to achieve such a significantly lower price point; according to 9to5Google, one possibility is that the Pixel Buds A will enjoy the same that it will lose the swipe-based volume control.

9to5Google examined a recent Pixel Buds app update that appears to contain a string preparing for the eventual release of the Pixel Buds A. It contains the identifiers "type_one" and "type_two," which appear to refer to Pixel Buds 2 and Pixel Buds A, respectively.

Interestingly, the "type_two" file does not contain code related to the Pixel Buds 2 volume swipe control, such as "swipe_forward" and "swipe_backward." This indicates that the Pixel Buds A does not allow the user to adjust the volume by swiping the earphone's touch sensor. Both approaches would help reduce costs and lower the price of the Pixel Buds A, but one would hope that at least repeated taps would allow the volume to be raised or lowered.

The same APK teardown also suggests a charging case with the battery status LED on the outside. Notably, Google's own design for the Pixel Buds A in its email newsletter shows a white LED on the outside of the case.

We still don't know when the Pixel Buds A will be available - in fact, there is no official confirmation that they even exist - but we expect a late spring or summer launch. If so, we won't have to wait too long to find out what the Pixel Buds A will offer and if it will be a contender for our Best Wireless Earphones list. In any case, stay tuned.