Ingress protection ratings refer to the rating of protection offered by an enclosure, against dust and liquids. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value represents protection against solids such as dust, followed by the one that refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).
Having a value of IPX4, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s rating is read as, the first value of X denotes that no data available to specify a protection rating, and the second value of 4 means that they can withstand low pressure spray similar to that of a shower head when tilted at 180° for 10 minutes. In comparison to the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), Sony LinkBuds S have a rating of IPX4 meaning that
we are not yet certain of their rating with solids (dust)
and that of liquids is that,
they both have the same rating against liquids
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a weight of 8.56g . We consider a lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to transport.
Sony LinkBuds S, at 9.6g
are heavier than the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) with a difference of 1.04g
For a device to be true wireless it should have no cables connecting any part of the device together, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are true wireless for this matter since they don't have cables. This is a key difference as some wireless earbuds have cables connecting the 2 earbuds .
Sony LinkBuds S also is true wireless because it has no cables linking the 2 earbuds .
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are resistant to sweat
Sony LinkBuds S's resistance to sweat makes both devices fit for use during long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits, etc
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience. The Sony LinkBuds S also have stereo speakers
Active noise cancellation makes use of more advanced technology to reduce unwanted ambient sounds.
ANC works when, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern of incoming noise and after inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) then adding -1 (inverted noise) to make 0 resulting in a reduced level of noise.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Active Noise Cancellation allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, good for your ears as you don't need to crank up the device volume to overcome background noise.
Sony LinkBuds S too have Active Noise Cancellation making both devices ideal for flights and rush hour commutes. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) and Sony LinkBuds S operate with different noise cancellation modes, pick the mode that you prefer for travel or that enhances your relaxation time. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) sit well in place, creating an acoustic covering that tones down your environment sounds well as preventing the earbuds sound from leaking out at the same.
Both Sony LinkBuds S, and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have passive noise reduction this implies that both limit ambient noise without using technology to cancel it out. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) driver unit is 11mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass. A driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the device, the unit size corellates with the sound produced by the earbuds.
Sony LinkBuds S driver unit is 5mm in diameter,
which implies that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 6mm
, as many tend to believe that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers find it difficult to produce high frequencies so yes, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not imply that they deliver better quality sound. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well an audio component generates low frequencies that can be heard, and if it alters the signal while at it.
Sony LinkBuds S's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) can make sound with a juicier bass than the Sony LinkBuds S
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response indicates how well a particular audio component generates high audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through. Sony LinkBuds S's highest frequency is at 40,000Hz, this means that
Sony LinkBuds S generate a clearer and crispier treble than the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery life is 6 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average before recharge. A device's battery life is given by the manufacturer, and with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and requires fewer chargings.
Sony LinkBuds S's battery life is
equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
. Each time you recharge your device, they get a little less listening time. The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to. The battery life of the charging case is given by the vendor, and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s case has a charge of 30 hours.
A charging case with a longer battery life enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go several times before having to recharge the case itself. Sony LinkBuds S's charging case has a battery life of 14 hours,
less than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 16 hours
It takes 0.3 hours to fully charge the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery. It is highly adivsable to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds when they have been in storage for long periods.
Sony LinkBuds S takes 2 hours to fully charge the battery,
more than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 1.7 hours
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the earbuds, you just place down on a supported charging pad. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the device has a low battery.
Its lights indicate the charging status of your earbuds and charging case. Sony LinkBuds S too have a battery level indicator, these enable you to tell the charging state of your device, whether fully charged, or the battery is running low. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data transfers between devices placed in range, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.
Sony LinkBuds S has a Bluetooth version of 5.2,
newer than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
. Newer versions provide faster data transfers. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a 10meters distance to connect via Bluetooth. Sony LinkBuds S have a maximum range of 10meters,
equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support AAC, a codec used for Bluetooth audio.
It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Since it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it can provide better results than other codecs at the same bit rate.
Being the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) will work well with your iPhone.
If you are planning on using these with Android you need to pay even closer attention to codec support for if they only have AAC they won't provide the best audio quality possible, ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well. The Sony LinkBuds S support AAC as well. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves higher sound quality than MP3 encoders at the same bit rate.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have 6 microphones. Sony LinkBuds S microphones are 6,
equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
. More microphones result in better sound quality and enable the earbuds to filter out noise. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are made to filter out noise from the desired sound.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when they are removed from your ears so that the music is paused. The Sony LinkBuds S too support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears saving battery life. If misplaced in a room, or can't be found in your bag, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a find earbuds feature.
Sony LinkBuds S too have the find earbuds feature. Use the device app on your phone to play an alarm from your device to help you locate them. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support fast charging.
Most often, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to fully charge the earbuds. Also the Sony LinkBuds S support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, just that the battery is filling up much faster.
Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in thirty minutes. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you connect to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. For example, you can easily switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a mute function, they have the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The Sony LinkBuds S also have the mute function. The mute function means that you can turn off the device's microphone, but you can still hear the other party's voice.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the device. The Sony LinkBuds S also have a control panel on them. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a warranty period of 1 Years, the period of time that warrant free repair and adjustment services in case of a malfunction occurring under normal use that has followed instruction manuals.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have voice prompts. Automatically receive information through audio messages, say if there is an issue with the connection. Sony LinkBuds S too have voice prompts .i.e the earbuds will notify you if the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge them.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) come with a special case. Carrying earbuds without a case, or putting them in your bag without a cover can easily put them at risk of getting damaged. Sony LinkBuds S also have a case included, which offers safe transportation.
