Pixel Buds 2a teardown: what a pawnshop buyer should check

You might love the case but miss the real problem — the buds themselves often hide repair trouble.

What’s going on

iFixit tore open Google’s Pixel Buds 2a. The charging case is easy to fix. The earbuds are not. That split matters if you buy or sell used sets. A neat case can mask dead buds and costly repairs.

Why it matters to you

If you take traded headphones to a shop, the case and buds should both work. Buyers notice fast-charging cases and a clean hinge. But tiny earbuds with glued batteries can fail soon. That means returns, unhappy customers, and wasted shop time.

What to check right away

Start small. Open the case and look for obvious wear. Test pairing and play a few tracks. Check battery drain on both the case and the buds. Listen for crackles or one-sided sound. Make notes so you can price or walk away.

• Open the case and inspect the hinge and charging pins for dirt or bent metal.

• Pair the buds with a phone and play music for at least two minutes per bud.

• Check battery life: note starting percentage, run a short test, and note drop in 10 minutes.

• Test both left and right for mic and call quality using a quick voice memo.

• Try the charging case alone: see if it charges from a cable and holds charge overnight.

• Look for physical damage: cracks, deep scratches, or mismatched ear tips.

Micro-moment

You meet a seller and the case looks perfect. They hand you the buds and you plug them into your phone. One bud plays fine, the other drops out after thirty seconds. That quick test tells you more than a dozen photos.

Red flags and repair reality

A solid, serviceable case is a good sign. But many true fixes live inside each earbud. Tiny glued parts and sealed housings make battery swaps or driver fixes hard or costly. Even if the case is great, factor in that buds may need repair work you can’t do on the spot. If a seller says they replaced a battery, ask how and ask for a receipt.

Battery age and glue: earbuds often have glued screens and batteries. That means prying them open can break small ribbons and seals. If a bud is weak but otherwise fine, replacement batteries or drivers might be expensive.

Charging contacts: dirty or corroded pins are easy to clean. That’s a cheap win. But if a bud won’t charge inside a good case, the bud battery or internal connector likely needs repair.

Connectivity and firmware: firmware bugs can cause dropout. Try a reset and re-pair. If problems persist, repairs may not help without special tools or software access.

How to price and negotiate

If both buds and case test clean, pay near retail used value. If the case works but a bud is flaky, deduct for repair and risk. Offer a lower price and explain the likely work needed. If a seller insists on non-refundable cash, be cautious.

Bottom line: the case can sell the set, but the buds sell the value. Pay for what works now, not what looks nice.

Bring the right cable and do a three-minute menu test — most deal-breakers show up fast.

Today’s takeaway: Test both buds individually, then the case; a perfect case over broken buds is a money trap.