Overall Score 6.4 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 6.2 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 | 20000Hz | 40000Hz | |
has a neodymium magnet | ✗ | ✓ | |
POWER | battery life | 6hours | 6hours |
battery life of charging case | 24hours | 14hours | |
charge time | 1hours | 2hours | |
battery power | 49.7mAh | ✗ | |
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 |
IP ratings is the rank of protection offered by an enclosure, against dust and water. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating represents protection against solids say dust, while the second refers to protection against liquids (water).
Scoring 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.
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
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a weight of 10.6g . We take in account a lower weight best for the reason that lighter devices are easier to carry.
Sony LinkBuds S, at 9.6g
weigh less than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) by -1g
For a device to be true wireless it must have no cables 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 an important difference since wireless earbuds have cables connecting the 2 earbuds .
Sony LinkBuds S also is true wireless since it doesn't have cables connecting the pair of earbuds .
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have sweat resistance
Sony LinkBuds S's resistance to sweat makes both devices fit for use during long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , etc
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have stereo speakers, what this means is that Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s 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
Active noise cancellation utilises more advanced technology to actively counter noise. How it works, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and then generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. In simple terms, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) then adding -1 (counter sound by the device) giving 0 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, good for your ears since you don't have to crank up the device volume to outcompete background noise.
Sony LinkBuds S too have ANC making both devices ideal for plane rides and morning commutes. Each work with different noise cancellation types, pick the mode that you prefer for commute or that enhances your chill time.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) sit well in place, creating an acoustic covering that tones down your environment noise 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 this implies that they reduce ambient noise without using technology to cancel it out.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) driver unit is 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 device, its size determines 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 yes, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not indicate that they produce better quality sound.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well a particular audio device produces low frequencies that can be heard, and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through.
Sony LinkBuds S's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that
both devices can produce equal bass
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20000Hz, high-frequency response indicates how well a particular audio component produces high human frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through.
Sony LinkBuds S's highest frequency is at 40000Hz, this means that
Sony LinkBuds S can produce a clearer and crispier treble than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
The Sony LinkBuds S have neodymium magnets, when used in audio devices produce a higher sensitivity and substantial sound output using less power to do so. They can help generate music at quite a high SPL, with the use of high magnetic flux.
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 have to charge the device less often.
Sony LinkBuds S's battery life is
equal to that of the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
. Every time you recharge your device, 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 manufacturer, and the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s case is said to have a charge of 24 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life allows 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 requires 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 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
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s battery capacity is 49.7mAh, battery capacity, shows the amount of electrical energy that a battery can keep.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the device, you simply put down on a compatible charging pad.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the earbuds has a low battery. Its lights display the charging status of your device and charging case.
Sony LinkBuds S too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you determine the charging state of your earbuds, whether fully charged, or the battery is running low.
Sony LinkBuds S use USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable.
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.
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.
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 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 Sony LinkBuds S support LDAC, a codec developed by Sony which allows streaming high-resolution audio over Bluetooth connections at up to 990 kbps at 32 bit/96 kHz. It is capable of a very high bitrate of 990kbps, providing high-resolution audio.
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 record better sound quality and help the earbuds to filter out background sounds.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) use a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are designed to reduce noise from the desired sound.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient noises to still be heard even while wearing them
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, for example when you’re having a jog but still want to hear traffic.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when 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 improving your listening experience.
If misplaced in a room, or can't be found in your bag, Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support the find earbuds feature.
The Sony LinkBuds S also have the find earbuds feature. Use the device app on your smartphone to play an alarm from your device to find them.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support fast charging. Commonly, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to charge the earbuds.
Also the Sony LinkBuds S 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 can be charged to 50% in just thirty minutes.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. Say, you can easily switch calls from one device to another without 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. It means that you are in position turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party talk.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the device.
Sony LinkBuds S also have a control panel on them.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support voice prompts. Automatically receive information via audio messages, like if there is a problem with the connection.
The Sony LinkBuds S also have voice prompts meaning the earbuds will notify you if the battery is low, and it's time to recharge the device.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) come with a special pouch. Carrying earphones without a case, or putting them inside your pockets without a casing may easily damage them.
Sony LinkBuds S also have a travel bag included, which offers safe transportation.