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

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) IPX4

Sony LinkBuds S IPX4

IP ratings is the level 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 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 number 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

Weight

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 10.6g

Sony LinkBuds S 9.6g

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a weight of 10.6g . We prefer a lower weight best because lighter devices are easier to carry.

The Sony LinkBuds S, at 9.6g weigh less than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) with a difference -1g

Has No Wires Or Cables

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Sony LinkBuds S ✓

For a device to be true wireless it should have no cables connecting any part of the device together, Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are true wireless for this case since they don't have cables. This is a key difference as some wireless earbuds have cables linking the two earbuds together.

Sony LinkBuds S also is true wireless because it has no wires connecting the two earbuds together.

Sweat Resistance

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Sony LinkBuds S ✓

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

Has Stereo Speakers

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Sony LinkBuds S ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have stereo speakers, what this means is that Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s 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

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Sony LinkBuds S ✓

ANC uses more advanced kind of tech to actively counter noise. ANC works when, it listens to the sound pattern of incoming noise and inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out. In simple terms, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) and adding -1 (counter sound by the device) giving zero resulting in a reduced level of noise.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have ANC allowing 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.

The Sony LinkBuds S too have ANC which makes both earbuds ideal for plane rides and rush hour commutes. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) and Sony LinkBuds S operate with different noise cancellation settings, pick the mode that suits your travel or that enhances your relaxation time.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Sony LinkBuds S ✓

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) stay tightly in place, this creates an acoustic covering that tones down background sounds and also prevents the earbuds sound from leaking out at the same.

Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which implies that they reduce ambient noise without using ANC to cancel it out.

Driver Unit Size

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 11mm

Sony LinkBuds S 5mm

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) driver unit is 11mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, therefor producing better bass. The driver unit is the component that produces sound in the device, the unit size determines the sound made by the earbuds.

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 , 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 can generate louder sound, but this does not indicate that they produce better quality sound.

Lowest Frequency

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 20Hz

Sony LinkBuds S 20Hz

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well a particular audio component generates low frequencies that can be heard, 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

Highest Frequency

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 20,000Hz

Sony LinkBuds S 40,000Hz

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response tells how well an audio device makes high human frequencies and if it changes to the signal on its way through.

Sony LinkBuds S's highest frequency is at 40,000Hz, this means that Sony LinkBuds S generate a clearer and crispier treble than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

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Battery Life

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 6hours

Sony LinkBuds S 6hours

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 usually 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) . Each time you recharge your device, they get a little less listening time. The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to.

Battery Life Of Charging Case

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 24hours

Sony LinkBuds S 14hours

The battery life of the charging case is given by the vendor, and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s case has a charge of 24 hours. A charging case with more battery hours allows 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 Pro (2nd Gen) by 10 hours

Charge Time

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 1hours

Sony LinkBuds S 2hours

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 unused 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

Has Wireless Charging

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Sony LinkBuds S ✗

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the device, you just put down on a compatible charging pad.

Has A Battery Level Indicator

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Sony LinkBuds S ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the device has a low battery. The battery indicator lights indicate the charging status of your earbuds and case.

Sony LinkBuds S too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you tell the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or the battery is running low.

Has Usb Type-C

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✗

Sony LinkBuds S ✓

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

Bluetooth Version

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) v5.3

Sony LinkBuds S v5.2

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5.3, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows 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.

Maximum Bluetooth Range

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 10meters

Sony LinkBuds S 10meters

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)

Has Aac

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Sony LinkBuds S ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd 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 Pro (2nd Gen) will work well with your iPad. If you are planning 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.

Has Ldac

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✗

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
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	✓	✓
	has voice prompts	✓	✓
	travel bag is included	✓	✓
		See price on Amazon	See price on Amazon

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

Reasons why you might like the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Reasons why you might like the Sony LinkBuds S

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

Apple Airpods Pro (2Nd 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

Has Voice Prompts

Travel Bag Is Included