Forget the Pixel Buds 3, Google Should Make an AirPods Max Killer

Google has a lot in store for us starting next month. I know this, not because of some insider knowledge or gadget-centric ESP, but because last week all of its upcoming announcements were leaked in succession, leaving precious little up to the imagination. Among the upcoming Google drops is a whole family of Pixel 10s, a Pixel Fold, another Pixel smartwatch, and a minor update to Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2, which are getting a new color. Some of those product drops may be exciting to someone, but I only want one thing from Google, and it’s got nothing to do with phones or watches and everything to do with AirPods Max.

In short, I want Google to make over-ear headphones, not just because I personally want more out of Pixel-branded audio, but because there’s clearly space for headphones made by tech giants that aren’t Apple. For proof of that, see Nothing’s Headphone 1. I recently reviewed the Headphone 1, Nothing’s first-ever pair of over-ear headphones, and it’s abundantly clear (no pun intended) that Nothing made the right choice to push into audio cans.

First, there’s the price. Nothing’s Headphone 1 are $299, which is still a lot of money for headphones, don’t get me wrong, but well under the ridiculous $550 premium of Apple’s AirPods Max. Yes, AirPods Max still have an edge when it comes to sound, but I found that Nothing’s Headphone 1 still hit high marks both as a first-time entrant into the space and as an alternative to AirPods Max in terms of audio quality. And the thing is, if Nothing can do it, I think Google could too. I’m not the only one who thinks that, either. These renders of (albeit fake) Google Pixel headphones say it all.

Damn these are fire. (Concept)

If Google ever drop Over-ear headohones, this should be it.

Grabbed these from Threads. Not my work. pic.twitter.com/MViY66j5jg

— Dalevon Digital (@dalevon_digital) July 26, 2025

These concepts, even if they’re just a fun exercise, look like something Google would/could actually make, and I’ll be honest: if they did, I’d buy the shit out of these headphones. They’re minimalist but still stylish, and that orange button on the white pair smacks of Teenage Engineering. Another thing that Google could bring to the over-ear headphone party is another design ethos worth buying. I don’t love the look of the Pixel Buds, but a lot of people do, and if there’s one thing we don’t need more of in the space, it’s AirPods Max dupes. Google could pivot its audio expertise to bring more design options to the space and, hopefully, more viable options for consumers looking to hit that sweet spot between minimalism and quality sound.

Plus, let’s be honest, the Pixel needs an ecosystem expansion. As nice as Pixel phones are, they’ve struggled to gain a foothold, especially in a U.S. market dominated so heavily by Apple. The thing is, headphones, unlike phones, don’t have to be so ecosystem-dependent, which is an opportunity for Google, but also for consumers who often get locked into ecosystems that they sometimes want to expand outside of. In short, plenty of iPhone owners would appreciate having another option for over-ear headphones if they don’t want to pull the trigger on a pair of AirPods Max for money or design reasons. So, this is my call to you, Google: give us a pair of over-ear Pixel headphones. They may not unseat AirPods Max, but they’d almost certainly make a compelling case for my over-ear headphones of choice.