Surface Earbuds available May 12 in 24 markets with lower $199 price
The Surface Earbuds go on sale May 12th with a new lower price and some extra gesture compatibility, including triple-tap Spotify launching.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
What you need to know
After being delayed inNovember to springthe Microsoft Surface Earbuds are finally coming to market. As expected, the earbuds will be available globally in 24 markets through Microsoft’s online store. The price has also dropped from $249 to a more reasonable $199 as a likely response to the competition.
The Microsoft Surface Earbuds are for a specific demographic with some unique differentiators. While there is no noise canceling (active or passive) with Surface Earbuds, that is by design. Microsoft sees these headphones as an accessory for the working professional who an all-day work experience with music, calls, and even presentations in the office.
Microsoft’s super smart earbuds
Now at a lower price, the Surface Earbuds will undoubtedly turn some heads when you’re out wearing them, but you’ll be able to make use of gesture support on your PC, iPhone, or Android smartphone.
Microsoft’s Surface Earbuds are built from the ground up to deliver excellent sound quality through Omnisonic speakers, unique haptic swipe gestures, dual mic array, and a Type-C charging case that delivers up to 24 hours of playback.
Some of the gestures were already revealedin a recent FCC filing. Those gestures include tap, touch, and swipe. Users can swipe up or down to change the volume. Swipe back or forward to change tracks and double-tap to pause music and make calls.
A new triple-tap on either earbud automatically launches Spotify on Android phones. And on iOS, users can use the newPlay My Emailsin the Outlook mobile app (US only), a feature that is coming to Android phones soon.
In a surprising move, the Surface Earbuds also integrate with Office 365 with gestures, dictation, and translation features.
Pairing is also effortless with support for Swift Pair in Windows 10 and Fast Pair with Android phones. The feature lets users connect the Surface Earbuds with one tap by merely placing the charging case near a Surface PC or phone.
Get the Windows Central Newsletter
All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.
Microsoft has a lot of competition in this space, especially with Google just launching its well-receivedGoogle Pixel Buds 2020, which are $20 cheaper. But those buds also have three-hour less battery life and may not be as comfortable as the new Surface Earbuds.
Surface Earbuds go on sale May 12 in Microsoft’s online stores in 24 markets. Although they are launching in “glacier” white initially, the darker gray versions are expected to come at a later date.
Microsoft’s super smart earbuds
Now at a lower price, the Surface Earbuds will undoubtedly turn some heads when you’re out wearing them, but you’ll be able to make use of gesture support on your PC, iPhone, or Android smartphone.
Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central. He is also the head reviewer,podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007, when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and watches. He has been reviewing laptops since 2015 and is particularly fond of 2-in-1 convertibles, ARM processors, new form factors, and thin-and-light PCs. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.
