Ingress protection ratings refer to the rating of protection given by a casing, against dust and liquids. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value of the IP rating refers to protection against solids say dust, while the second refers to protection against liquids (sweat).
Scoring IPX4, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s rating for solids indicates that no data available to specify a protection rating, and of liquids 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
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a weight of 8.56g . We consider a lower weight better for the reason that lighter devices are easier to carry.
Sony LinkBuds S, at 9.6g
are heavier than the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) with a difference of 1.04g
True wireless devices have no cables linking any part of the device together, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are true wireless for this case since they don't have cables. This is a major difference as some wireless earbuds have cables linking the 2 earbuds .
Sony LinkBuds S also is true wireless since it has no wires connecting the two earbuds together. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are resistant to sweat
Sony LinkBuds S's resistance to sweat makes both devices ideal for use during long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , 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.
Both Sony LinkBuds S and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers
Active noise cancellation utilises more advanced technology to reduce unwanted ambient sounds. How it works, it listens to the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and after generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (noise) and adding -1 (inverted noise) giving zero thus "diluting" the noise.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Active Noise Cancellation enabling you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue since you don't need to crank up the device volume to outcompete background sounds. Sony LinkBuds S too have ANC making either of the devices ideal for flights and morning travels. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) and Sony LinkBuds S operate with different noise cancellation modes, pick the mode that suits your travel or that suites your relaxation time.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) stay well in place, this creates an acoustic covering that reduces your environment sounds well as preventing the device sound from leaking out .
Both of these devices have passive noise reduction this means that both limit ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) driver unit is 11mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, and can produce better bass. A driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the earbuds, the unit size corellates with the sound made by the device.
Sony LinkBuds S driver unit is 5mm in diameter,
which means that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 6mm
, many people have a misconception 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 mean 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 device generates low frequencies that can be heard, and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through.
Sony LinkBuds S's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 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 an audio component produces high audible frequencies and if it makes any adjustments to the signal on its way through. Sony LinkBuds S's highest frequency is at 40,000Hz, this implies that
Sony LinkBuds S can produce a clearer and crispier treble than the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery life is 6 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average for a single charge. A device's battery life is given by the manufacturer, and with more battery hours, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often.
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 playing time. The effect is not noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to. The battery life of the charging case is given by the manufacturer, and the 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 many times before recharging 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 recommended to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds for the first time.
Sony LinkBuds S takes 2 hours to fully charge the battery,
more than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 1.7 hours
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the earbuds, you just place down on a compatible charging pad. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the earbuds has a low battery.
The battery indicator lights indicate the charging status of your earbuds and charging case. Sony LinkBuds S too have a battery level indicator, these allow you tell the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or having a low battery. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data movement between devices placed in close proximity, 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. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a 10meters distance connecting 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 provides better results than other codecs at a similar bit rate.
Since its the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) will work fine with your iPhone.
If you are planning on using these with Android , 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. The Sony LinkBuds S microphones are 6,
equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
. More microphones record better sound quality and help the earbuds to filter out background sounds. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are intended to reduce noise from the earbuds' sound.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have 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. When lost in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a find earbuds feature.
The Sony LinkBuds S too have the find earbuds feature. Use the earbuds app on your smartphone to play an alarm from your earbuds to find them. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support fast charging.
Commonly, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to fully charge a device. The Sony LinkBuds S support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, only that the battery is filling up much faster.
Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in 30 minutes. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. Say, you can seemlessly switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a mute function, they support the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The Sony LinkBuds S too have the mute function. The mute function means that you can turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party's voice.
With the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds. Sony LinkBuds S also have a control panel on them. The 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.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support voice prompts. Automatically receive information via audio messages, say if there is an issue with the connection. The Sony LinkBuds S also support voice prompts meaning the device notifies you if the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge them.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) come with a special case. Carrying earphones openly, or placing them inside your pockets without a cover may easily put them at risk of getting damaged. Sony LinkBuds S too have a case included, which offers safe transportation.
