IP ratings is the rating of protection offered 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 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 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. Compared 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 take in account a lower weight best for the reason that lighter devices are more comfortable to move with.
The Sony LinkBuds S, at 9.6g
are heavier than the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by of 1.04g
For a device to be true wireless it should have no wires linking any part of the device together, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are true wireless for this case since they have no wires. This is a major distinction since wireless earbuds have wires linking the two earbuds .
Sony LinkBuds S also is true wireless since it doesn't have wires connecting the 2 earbuds together. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are resistant to sweat
Sony LinkBuds S's resistance to sweat makes both devices ideal for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , etc
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers, what this means is that Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience.
Both Sony LinkBuds S and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers
Active noise cancellation utilises advanced technology to actively cancel noise. How it works, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and after inverts the soundwaves to counter it. Simply put, it's like having +1 (noise) then producing -1 (inverted noise) giving 0 therefore "diluting" the noise.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have ANC enabling you to listen at lower levels of volume, causing less ear fatigue as you don't need to crank up the device volume to outcompete background sounds. The Sony LinkBuds S too have Active Noise Cancellation making either of the earbuds ideal for flights and morning commutes. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) and Sony LinkBuds S operate with different noise cancellation modes, pick the mode that suits your commute or that suites your chill time.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) stay tightly in place, this creates a sound covering that tones down background noise while preventing the earbuds sound from leaking out at the same. Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which means that they limit ambient noise without using technology to cancel it out. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a unit size of 11mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, and can produce better bass.
The driver unit is the component that produces sound in the device, its size corellates with the loudness of the device. 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
, a common assumption that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers usually have difficulty producing high frequencies so yeah, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not imply that they deliver better quality sound.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio component generates low recognizable frequencies and if it alters the signal on its way through. Sony LinkBuds S's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) can produce a juicier bass than the Sony LinkBuds S
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well an audio component produces high audible frequencies and if it adjustments to the signal while at it. Sony LinkBuds S's highest frequency is at 40,000Hz, this implies that
Sony LinkBuds S can generate 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 commonly given by the manufacturer, and with longer battery life, 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)
. Every time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less listening time. The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to.
This is given by the manufacturer, and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s case is said to have a full charge of 30 hours. A charging case with more battery hours enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go multiple 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 requires 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 unused 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
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the earbuds, you just put down on a supported charging pad.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the earbuds has a low battery. Its lights indicate the charging state 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 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. The 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. Because it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it provides 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 iPad. If you intend 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. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have 6 microphones. While the Sony LinkBuds S microphones are 6,
equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
. More microphones result in 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 made to filter out background sounds from the earbuds' sound. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when removed from your ears so that the music is paused. 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 easily find them in your bag, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support the find earbuds feature. The Sony LinkBuds S too have the find earbuds feature. Simply use the device app on your smartphone to play a sound from your earbuds to locate them.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support fast charging. Usually, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to charge a device. The Sony LinkBuds S support fast charging.
This kind is 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 just 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 easily switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a mute function, they have the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The Sony LinkBuds S also support this function.
The mute function means that you are in position turn off the device's microphone, but you can still hear the other party talk. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the earbuds. 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) support voice prompts. Automatically receive information via audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection.
The Sony LinkBuds S too have voice prompts .i.e the device notifies you if the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge the earbuds. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) come with a special case. Carrying earbuds openly, or putting them in your pockets without a cover can easily damage them.
Sony LinkBuds S also have a travel bag included, which offers safe transportation.
