Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
See price on AmazonOverall Score 7.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Sony LinkBuds S
See price on AmazonOverall Score 7 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) | Sony LinkBuds S |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
weight | 10.6g | 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 | 20Hz | 20Hz | |
highest frequency | 20,000Hz | 40,000Hz | |
POWER | battery life | 6hours | 6hours |
battery life of charging case | 24hours | 14hours | |
charge time | 1hours | 2hours | |
has wireless charging | ✓ | ✗ | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✗ | ✓ |
bluetooth version | v5.3 | v5.2 | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 10meters | |
has aac | ✓ | ✓ | |
has ldac | ✗ | ✓ | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | 6only | 6only |
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 | ✓ | ✓ | |
has voice prompts | ✓ | ✓ | |
travel bag is included | ✓ | ✓ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
Ingress protection ratings refer to the level of protection given by a casing, against solids and water. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating means protection against solids say dust, while the second refers to resistance against liquids (water).
Having a value of IPX4, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd 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 Pro (2nd 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 Pro (2nd Gen) have a weight of 10.6g . We prefer a lower weight better for the reason that lighter devices are more comfortable to move with.
The Sony LinkBuds S, at 9.6g weigh less than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) with a difference -1g For a device to be true wireless it must have no wires linking any part of the device together, Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are true wireless for this matter since they don't have cables. This is a major distinction as some wireless earbuds have cables linking the pair of earbuds . Sony LinkBuds S also is true wireless because it has no cables connecting the two earbuds . Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have sweat resistance Sony LinkBuds S's resistance to sweat makes both devices good for use during long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , etc Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience. The Sony LinkBuds S also have stereo speakers ANC makes use of more advanced kind of tech to actively cancel noise.
How it works, it studies the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and then generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like having +1 (noise) then adding -1 (inverted noise) giving zero resulting in a reduced level of noise.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have Active Noise Cancellation enabling 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 Active Noise Cancellation making both devices ideal for plane rides and rush hour commutes. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) and Sony LinkBuds S work with different noise cancellation modes, pick the setting that suits your commute or that suites your chill time. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) stay well in place, this creates a sound seal that reduces your environment noise and also prevents the earbuds music from leaking out at the same.
Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which means that both limit ambient noise without using ANC to cancel it out. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) driver unit is 11mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the 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 Pro (2nd Gen) by 6mm
, many people have a misconception that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers usually have difficulty producing high frequencies so yes, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not indicate that they produce better quality sound. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well an audio device produces 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 both devices make sound with equal bass Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio device makes high audible frequencies and if it makes any adjustments to the signal while at it. Sony LinkBuds S's highest frequency is at 40,000Hz, this implies that Sony LinkBuds S produce a clearer and crispier treble than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) Apple AirPods Pro (2nd 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 have to charge the device less often.
Sony LinkBuds S's battery life is equal to that of the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) . Each time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less playing 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 vendor, and the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s case is said to have a charge of 24 hours.
A charging case with more battery hours 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 Pro (2nd Gen) by 10 hours It takes 1 hours to fully charge the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s battery. It is highly adivsable 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 Pro (2nd Gen) by 1 hours The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the earbuds, you simply put down on a compatible charging pad. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the device has a low battery.
Its lights display the charging state of your earbuds and case. Sony LinkBuds S too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you tell the charging state of your earbuds, whether fully charged, or having a low battery. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5.3, 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, older than that of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) . Newer versions provide faster data transfers. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd 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 Pro (2nd Gen) Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support AAC, a codec that is used for Bluetooth audio.
It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Because 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 Pro (2nd Gen) will work well with your iPhone.
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 Pro (2nd Gen) have 6 microphones. Sony LinkBuds S microphones are 6, equal to that of the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) . More microphones result in better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background sounds. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are designed to filter out background sounds from the desired sound.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient noises so that they can still be heard even when wearing them The Sony LinkBuds S support ambient sound mode as well, helpful when you want to listen to music while being aware of what’s happening around you, for example when you’re having a run but would still want to hear traffic. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when they are removed from your ears . 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 be found in your bag, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support the find earbuds feature.
Sony LinkBuds S too have the find earbuds feature. You can use the earbuds app on your smartphone to play a sound from your earbuds to find them. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support fast charging.
Usually, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the time it takes to charge a device. Also the Sony LinkBuds S too support fast charging. This kind is similar to regular charging, just that the battery fills up much faster.
Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in thirty minutes. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you connect to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. For example, you can seemlessly switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a mute function, they support the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The Sony LinkBuds S also support the mute function. The mute function means that you can turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party talk.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds. Sony LinkBuds S too have a control panel on them. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have voice prompts.
Automatically receive information via audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection. The Sony LinkBuds S too support voice prompts .i.e the device will notify you when the battery is low, and it's time to recharge them. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) come with a special pouch.
Carrying earphones openly, or placing them in your bag without a casing may easily damage them. Sony LinkBuds S too have a case included, which is useful for safe transportation.