Apple Airpods Pro (2Nd Gen) Vs. Sony Linkbuds S Review

IP ratings refer to the rank of protection given by an enclosure, against solids and water. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating refers to protection against solids say dust, followed by the one that refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).

Having a value of IPX4, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s rating is read as, the first number of X denotes 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 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 because lighter devices are more comfortable to move with.

Sony LinkBuds S, at 9.6g are lighter 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 have no wires. This is a major distinction since wireless earbuds have cables linking the two earbuds together. Sony LinkBuds S also is true wireless since it has no wires connecting the two earbuds together.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd 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, training in workout bodysuits, 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. Both Sony LinkBuds S and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have stereo speakers ANC makes use of more advanced kind of tech to actively cancel noise. How it works, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and then inverts the soundwaves to counter it.

Simply put, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) then adding -1 (counter sound by the device) giving zero therefore "diluting" the noise.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have Active Noise Cancellation enabling you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue as you don't have to crank up the device volume to overcome background noise. Sony LinkBuds S too have ANC which makes either of the devices ideal for plane rides and rush hour commutes.

Each operate with different noise cancellation types, pick the setting that you prefer for commute or that enhances your chill time. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) stay well in place, creating an acoustic covering that reduces your environment sounds and also prevents the earbuds sound from leaking out . Both Sony LinkBuds S, and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have passive noise reduction this means that both reduce ambient noise without using ANC to cancel it out. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a unit size of 11mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass.

The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the earbuds, the unit size dictates the sound produced by the earbuds. Sony LinkBuds S driver unit is 5mm in diameter, which means that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd 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 it's true that, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not imply that they deliver better quality sound.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well an audio device produces low recognizable frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it. Sony LinkBuds S's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that both devices can make sound with equal bass Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response indicates how well an audio device produces high audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through. Sony LinkBuds S's highest frequency is at 40,000Hz, this implies that Sony LinkBuds S generate 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 for a single charge.

A device's battery life is commonly given by the manufacturer, and with more battery hours, 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 Pro (2nd Gen) . Every time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less playing time. The effect is not 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 has a charge of 24 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go multiple 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 recommended to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds when they have been in storage for extended 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.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the device has a low battery. Its lights show the charging state of your earbuds and case. Sony LinkBuds S too have a battery level indicator, these enable you to determine the charging state of your earbuds, if charged fully, or the battery is running low.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5.3, 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, older than that of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) . Newer versions provide faster data transfers. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a 10meters distance connecting 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. Since it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it provides better results than other codecs at the same bit rate.

Since its the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) will work fine with your iPhone. If you intend 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. 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 earbuds to filter out noise.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) use a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are intended to filter out background sounds from the earbuds' 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 the earbuds The Sony LinkBuds S support ambient sound mode as well, it’s useful when you want to listen to music while being aware of your surrounding, say you’re having a run but still want to be able to hear traffic. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd 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.

Sony LinkBuds S support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears improving your listening experience. If lost in a room, or can't be found in your bag, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a find earbuds feature. Sony LinkBuds S too have the find earbuds feature.

You can use the device app on your smartphone to play a sound from your device to find them. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support fast charging. Usually, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to lower the amount of time it takes to fully charge the earbuds.

Also the Sony LinkBuds S support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, just 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 Pro (2nd 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 having to manually disconnect and reconnect. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a mute function, they support the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device.

The Sony LinkBuds S also have the mute 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. With the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the earbuds.

The Sony LinkBuds S too have a control panel on them. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have voice prompts. Automatically receive information via audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection.

Sony LinkBuds S also support voice prompts .i.e the device notifies you when the battery is low, and it's time to recharge the earbuds. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) come with their own special case. Carrying earphones without a case, or placing them inside your bag without a casing can easily damage them.

Sony LinkBuds S also have a travel bag included, which offers safe transportation.