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

Ingress protection 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 of the IP rating means protection against solids such as dust, while the second refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).

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 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 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 Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a weight of 10.6g . We consider a lower weight best for the reason that lighter devices are easier to move with.

The Sony LinkBuds S, at 9.6g are lighter than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) by -1g True wireless devices have no wires connecting any part of the device together, Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are true wireless for this case since they don't have wires. This is a major difference as some wireless earbuds have wires connecting the 2 earbuds together. Sony LinkBuds S also is true wireless because it has no wires connecting the pair of earbuds together.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have sweat resistance Sony LinkBuds S's resistance to sweat makes both devices fit for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , etc Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent 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 uses advanced technology to reduce ambient sounds. ANC works when, it listens to the sound pattern of incoming noise and generates a mirror signal to cancel it out.

Simply put, it's like taking +1 (noise) and adding -1 (inverted noise) to make zero which results in a reduced level of noise.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have Active Noise Cancellation enabling you to listen at lower levels of volume, good for your ears as you don't need to crank up the device volume to outcompete background noise. Sony LinkBuds S too have Active Noise Cancellation which makes both devices ideal for plane rides and rush hour travels.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) and Sony LinkBuds S operate with different noise cancellation modes, pick the noise cancellation type that suits your commute or that enhances your relaxation time. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) sit tightly in place, creating a sound covering that tones down your environment sounds well as preventing the earbuds music from leaking out at the same. Both Sony LinkBuds S, and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have passive noise reduction which implies that both tone down ambient noise instead of actively using technology 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. A driver unit is the component that makes sound in the device, the unit size dictates 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 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 yes, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not mean that they produce better quality sound. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio component produces low recognizable frequencies and if it alters the signal while at it. Sony LinkBuds S's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies 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 a particular audio device produces high human frequencies and if it adjustments to the signal on its way through.

Sony LinkBuds S's highest frequency is at 40,000Hz, this means that Sony LinkBuds S can generate a clearer and crispier treble than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) The 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 requires fewer chargings. Sony LinkBuds S's battery life is equal to that of the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) . Each time you recharge your device, they get a little less listening time.

The effect is not noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to. The battery life of the charging case is given by the manufacturer, and the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s case is said to have a full 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 fully charge 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 Pro (2nd Gen) by 1 hours The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), the device supports wireless charging.

To charge the earbuds, you just place down on a supported charging pad. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the earbuds has a low battery. Its lights display 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, if charged fully, or the battery is running low. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5.3, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows 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, 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 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 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. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have 6 microphones.

While the 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 background sounds. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are made to reduce noise from the earbuds' sound. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient sound 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 but also be aware of your surrounding, for example when 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 device can detect when they are removed from your ears . The Sony LinkBuds S support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears saving battery life. When misplaced in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support the find earbuds feature. Sony LinkBuds S also have the find earbuds feature.

Simply use the device app on your smartphone to play an alarm from your earbuds to help you find them. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support fast charging. Commonly, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to fully charge a device.

The Sony LinkBuds S support fast charging. This kind is similar to regular charging, only that the battery fills 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, the multipoint 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 have the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device.

The Sony LinkBuds S also support the mute function. It means that you are in position turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party's voice. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the device.

Sony LinkBuds S too have a control panel on them. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have voice prompts. With voice prompts, you 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 will notify you when the battery is low, and it's time to recharge the device. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) come with a special case. Carrying earbuds openly, or putting them inside your bag without a cover can easily damage them.

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