Upon dropping certain items (eg. Golden Armor, Golden Apple), Piglins would rush to pick them up. However, instead of looking at the items for a period of time, the items would get "absorbed" into the Piglin and do not drop even after death (as they lack an inventory). When a Golden Sword/Golden Armor is dropped, the Piglins would not even make an attempt to equip it.
Comments 4
In the beta, a small percentage of mobs spawn with the ability to pick up equipment and use them. After some testing, I realized that Piglins with this ability would equip Golden Armor or Golden Swords if they hadn't already. However, the majority of Piglins (Piglins without the ability to pick up items) would still "absorb" them.
I've encountered similar. I had been throwing them ingots and they'd pocket the item and run away as they were dropping their item in exchange for it, but it seemed to be hit and miss if they would throw an item down. It seems like the Bedrock Edition skips the animation they have where they inspect the item and goes immediately to pocketing it, throwing you the item in exchange, and running away. If it seems like they're not dropping items, check around where they were standing, because it seems to happen instantly.
I didn't know they could equip things, but dropping their items it seems like not every Piglin has anything in their inventory, or as you've mentioned maybe some of them don't even have one.