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Powerful Features
Advanced capabilities and integrations
Flexible Pricing
Plans to fit every budget and business size
Features Comparison
| Feature | Apple AirPods Pro (Gen 3) | Sony LinkBuds S |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancellation | Adaptive Audio (up to -45 dB) | Noise Cancelling (up to -40 dB) |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Adaptive Audio (up to -45 dB) | Noise Cancelling (up to -40 dB) |
| Transparency Mode | Conversation Awareness | Ambient Sound Mode |
| Transparency Mode | Conversation Awareness | Ambient Sound Mode |
| Spatial Audio | Dynamic head tracking spatial sound | Limited 360 Reality Audio support |
| Spatial Audio | Dynamic head tracking spatial sound | Limited 360 Reality Audio support |
| Battery Life (Single Charge) | 6 hours (ANC on) | 8 hours (ANC on) |
| Battery Life (Single Charge) | 6 hours (ANC on) | 8 hours (ANC on) |
| Battery Life (Total) | 30 hours with case | 24 hours with case |
| Battery Life (Total) | 30 hours with case | 24 hours with case |
| Charging Case | MagSafe, USB-C | USB-C |
| Charging Case | MagSafe, USB-C | USB-C |
| Water Resistance | IP54 (buds + case) | IPX4 (buds only) |
| Water Resistance | IP54 (buds + case) | IPX4 (buds only) |
| Codec Support | AAC, SBC | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
| Codec Support | AAC, SBC | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
| Microphone Quality | Dual beamforming mics, wind noise reduction | AI noise-reduction mics |
| Microphone Quality | Dual beamforming mics, wind noise reduction | AI noise-reduction mics |
| Fit Options | 4 silicone tip sizes | 4 silicone tip sizes |
| Fit Options | 4 silicone tip sizes | 4 silicone tip sizes |
Pricing Comparison
| Feature | Apple AirPods Pro (Gen 3) | Sony LinkBuds S |
|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | $249 | $199 |
| Price (USD) | $249 | $199 |
| Price (EUR) | €279 | €229 |
| Price (EUR) | €279 | €229 |
| Warranty | 1 year limited | 1 year limited |
| Warranty | 1 year limited | 1 year limited |
| AppleCare+ Available | Yes ($29) | No |
| AppleCare+ Available | Yes ($29) | No |
Pros & Advantages
| Feature | Apple AirPods Pro (Gen 3) | Sony LinkBuds S |
|---|---|---|
| Seamless Apple integration | ✓ | ✗ |
| Seamless Apple integration | ✓ | ✗ |
| Superior spatial audio | ✓ | ✗ |
| Superior spatial audio | ✓ | ✗ |
| Adaptive Audio feature | ✓ | ✗ |
| Adaptive Audio feature | ✓ | ✗ |
| Longer battery life | ✗ | ✓ |
| Longer battery life | ✗ | ✓ |
| Better Android compatibility | ✗ | ✓ |
| Better Android compatibility | ✗ | ✓ |
| More affordable | ✗ | ✓ |
| More affordable | ✗ | ✓ |
| Lighter and more compact | ✗ | ✓ |
| Lighter and more compact | ✗ | ✓ |
| LDAC codec support | ✗ | ✓ |
| LDAC codec support | ✗ | ✓ |
Cons & Limitations
| Feature | Apple AirPods Pro (Gen 3) | Sony LinkBuds S |
|---|---|---|
| Higher price | ✓ | ✗ |
| Higher price | ✓ | ✗ |
| Limited Android features | ✓ | ✗ |
| Limited Android features | ✓ | ✗ |
| Shorter battery life | ✓ | ✗ |
| Shorter battery life | ✓ | ✗ |
| No LDAC codec | ✓ | ✗ |
| No LDAC codec | ✓ | ✗ |
| Less ecosystem synergy (for Apple users) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Less ecosystem synergy (for Apple users) | ✗ | ✓ |
The Bottom Line
The Apple AirPods Pro (Gen 3) and Sony LinkBuds S are both premium wireless earbuds with excellent noise cancellation and sound quality. AirPods Pro excels with seamless Apple ecosystem integration, improved adaptive audio, and superior spatial sound. Sony LinkBuds S offers a more compact design, highly customizable sound via the Sony Headphones app, and better Android compatibility. Choose AirPods Pro if you’re in the Apple ecosystem; choose LinkBuds S for a lighter, more versatile experience.
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