IP ratings refer to the rank of protection offered by an enclosure, against solids and water. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value of the IP rating represents protection against solids say dust, followed by the one that refers to protection against liquids (water).
Scoring IPX4, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s rating for solids indicates 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. 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 better because lighter devices are easier 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 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 key distinction as some wireless earbuds have cables linking the two earbuds together. Sony LinkBuds S also is true wireless because it doesn't have wires connecting the two earbuds .
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, 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
ANC uses more advanced technology to actively cancel noise. How it works, it listens to the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and then generates a mirror signal to counter it. Simply put, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) then producing -1 (counter sound by the device) giving zero resulting in a reduced level of noise.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have ANC allowing you to listen at lower levels of volume, causing less ear fatigue since you don't have to crank up the device volume to overcome background sounds. The Sony LinkBuds S too have ANC 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 settings, pick the noise cancellation type that suits your travel or that suites your chill time.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) stay well in place, creating a sound seal that tones down your environment sounds well as preventing the device sound from leaking out .
Both of these devices have passive noise reduction this means that they limit ambient noise without using ANC to cancel it out. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a unit size of 11mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, therefor producing better bass. The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the device, the unit size determines 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
, 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 it's true that, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not mean that they produce better quality sound. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response inidcates 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
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response tells how well a particular audio component produces high audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it. 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)
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 usually 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 listening time. The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time. The battery life of the charging case is given by the manufacturer, 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 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 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 device, 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 enable you to 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 enables 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 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 that is used for Bluetooth audio.
It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Because it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it can provide 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 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. The 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 background sounds. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are intended to filter out noise from the desired sound.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when removed from your ears .
Sony LinkBuds S support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears saving battery life. If lost in a room, or can't be found in your bag, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support the find earbuds feature. Sony LinkBuds S too have the find earbuds feature.
Use the earbuds app on your smartphone to play an alarm from your earbuds to help you locate them. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support fast charging. Commonly, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the time it takes to fully charge a device.
The Sony LinkBuds S too 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.
The 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. For example, you can easily switch calls from one device to another without 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 this function. The mute function means that you unilaterally turn off the earbuds' 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.
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 following instruction manuals. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support voice prompts.
Automatically receive information through audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection. The Sony LinkBuds S too have voice prompts meaning the device notifies you when the battery is low, and you need to recharge them. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) come with their own special case.
Carrying earbuds openly, or placing them in your bag without a cover may easily damage them. Sony LinkBuds S also have a travel bag included, which is useful for safe transportation.
