Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Sony Linkbuds S Review In Detail

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) IPX4

Sony LinkBuds S IPX4

IP ratings refer to the level of protection given by an enclosure, against dust and liquids. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value refers to protection against solids such as dust, while the second 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 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

Weight

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 8.56g

Sony LinkBuds S 9.6g

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a weight of 8.56g . We take in account a lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to carry.

The Sony LinkBuds S, at 9.6g weigh more than the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by of 1.04g

Has No Wires Or Cables

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

Sony LinkBuds S ✓

True wireless devices have no cables linking any part of the device together, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are true wireless for this matter since they don't have cables. This is an important difference since wireless earbuds have cables linking the pair of earbuds .

Sony LinkBuds S also is true wireless because it has no cables linking the 2 earbuds together.

Sweat Resistance

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

Sony LinkBuds S ✓

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

Has Stereo Speakers

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

Sony LinkBuds S ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.

The Sony LinkBuds S also have stereo speakers

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

Sony LinkBuds S ✓

ANC utilises advanced kind of tech to actively counter noise. How it works, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern of incoming noise and after generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. In simple terms, it's like having +1 (noise) then adding -1 (counter sound by the device) to make zero therefore "diluting" the noise.

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have ANC enabling you to listen at lower levels of volume, causing less ear fatigue as you don't have to crank up the device volume to overcome background sounds.

The Sony LinkBuds S too have Active Noise Cancellation which makes either of the devices ideal for plane rides and rush hour travels. Each operate with different noise cancellation settings, pick the mode that you prefer for travel or that enhances your chill time.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

Sony LinkBuds S ✓

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) stay well in place, this creates an acoustic seal that tones down your environment sounds well as preventing the device sound from leaking out at the same.

Both Sony LinkBuds S, and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have passive noise reduction this implies that they limit ambient noise instead of actively using ANC to cancel it out.

Driver Unit Size

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 11mm

Sony LinkBuds S 5mm

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a unit size of 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 dictates the sound produced by 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 usually have difficulty producing high frequencies so yeah, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not mean that they produce better quality sound.

Lowest Frequency

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 10Hz

Sony LinkBuds S 20Hz

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio device generates low audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it.

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

Highest Frequency

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 20,000Hz

Sony LinkBuds S 40,000Hz

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response shows how well a particular audio component makes high human 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 means that Sony LinkBuds S produce a clearer and crispier treble than the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

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Battery Life

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 6hours

Sony LinkBuds S 6hours

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 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) . Every 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.

Battery Life Of Charging Case

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 30hours

Sony LinkBuds S 14hours

This is given by the manufacturer, and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s case has a charge of 30 hours. A charging case with more battery hours allows 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

Charge Time

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 0.3hours

Sony LinkBuds S 2hours

It takes 0.3 hours to fully charge the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery. It is highly adivsable 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

Has Wireless Charging

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

Sony LinkBuds S ✗

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the earbuds, you simply put down on a supported charging pad.

Has A Battery Level Indicator

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

Sony LinkBuds S ✓

The 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 state of your earbuds and charging case.

Sony LinkBuds S too have a battery level indicator, these allow you to tell the charging state of your earbuds, if charged fully, or having a low battery.

Has Usb Type-C

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✗

Sony LinkBuds S ✓

The Sony LinkBuds S have USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable.

Bluetooth Version

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) v5

Sony LinkBuds S v5.2

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.

Maximum Bluetooth Range

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 10meters

Sony LinkBuds S 10meters

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)

Has Aac

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

Sony LinkBuds S ✓

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 fine with your MacBook. 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.

Has Ldac

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✗

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

Sony LinkBuds S ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) come with a special pouch. Carrying earphones openly, or placing them inside your bag without a casing can easily damage them.

Sony LinkBuds S too have a travel bag included, which is useful for safe transportation.

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Vs. Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Review

Category	Features	Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)	Sony LinkBuds S
DESIGN	ingress protection (ip) rating	IPX4	IPX4
	weight	8.56g	9.6g
	has no wires or cables	✓	✓
	sweat resistance	✓	✓
	has stereo speakers	✓	✓
SOUND QUALITY	has active noise cancellation (noise control)	✓	✓
	has passive noise reduction	✓	✓
	driver unit size	11mm	5mm
	lowest frequency	10Hz	20Hz
	highest frequency	20,000Hz	40,000Hz
POWER	battery life	6hours	6hours
	battery life of charging case	30hours	14hours
	charge time	0.3hours	2hours
	has wireless charging	✓	✗
	has a battery level indicator	✓	✓
CONNECTIVITY	has usb type-c	✗	✓
	bluetooth version	v5	v5.2
	maximum bluetooth range	10meters	10meters
	has aac	✓	✓
	has ldac	✗	✓
MICROPHONE	number of microphones	6only	6only
MICROPHONE	has a noise-canceling microphone	✓	✗
EXTRAS	has ambient sound mode	✗	✓
	has in/on-ear detection	✓	✓
	has find earbuds feature	✓	✓
	supports fast charging	✓	✓
	multipoint count	2only	✗
	has a mute function	✓	✓
	control panel placed on a device	✓	✓
	warranty period	1Years	✗
	has voice prompts	✓	✓
	travel bag is included	✓	✓
		See price on Amazon	See price on Amazon

Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Sony Linkbuds S Review

Reasons why you might like the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

Reasons why you might like the Sony LinkBuds S

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Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Sony Linkbuds S Review In Summary

Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Sony Linkbuds S Review In Detail

Design

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

Weight

Has No Wires Or Cables

Sweat Resistance

Has Stereo Speakers

Sound Quality

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)

Has Passive Noise Reduction

Driver Unit Size

Lowest Frequency

Highest Frequency

Power

Battery Life

Battery Life Of Charging Case

Charge Time

Has Wireless Charging

Has A Battery Level Indicator

Connectivity

Has Usb Type-C

Bluetooth Version

Maximum Bluetooth Range

Has Aac

Has Ldac

Microphone

Number Of Microphones

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

Extras

Has Ambient Sound Mode

Has In/On-Ear Detection

Has Find Earbuds Feature

Supports Fast Charging

Multipoint Count

Has A Mute Function

Control Panel Placed On A Device

Warranty Period

Has Voice Prompts

Travel Bag Is Included