Earbuds / Compare

Apple AirPods 2 vs Sony LinkBuds S

A

Product A: Apple

AirPods 2

76 of 166 known

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B

Product B: Sony

LinkBuds S

88 of 166 known

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All 166 fields

Every value links to where we found it.

Only differences

AApple AirPods 2

BSony LinkBuds S

General

6 of 8 differ

Series

AirPods1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111856Read 5 October 2026

LinkBuds1Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_SRead 5 October 2026

Model numbersiMaker identifiers for this exact model and its listed variants. Excludes sibling models and other generations.

A2031, A2032, A1938, MRXJ2AM/A2Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/109525Read 5 October 2026Identify your AirPods: A2031/A2032 are second-generation earbuds introduced in 2019. A1938 is the 2019 Qi-compatible Wireless Charging Case. A1602 and later case generations are not represented.20Retailer pagenissei.com/br/fone-de-ouvido-apple-airpods-com-estojo-de-recarga-sem-fio-mrxj2am-aRead 7 October 2026Retailer title and Part Number row: MRXJ2AM/A wireless-case package. Physical earbud A2031/A2032 and A1938 case identifiers retained.

WF-LS900N, YY29501Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_SRead 5 October 20263Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Cover page 1 identifies Model YY2950. Contents page 2 identifies WF-LS900N.

GTIN / EAN

19019876469020Retailer pagenissei.com/br/fone-de-ouvido-apple-airpods-com-estojo-de-recarga-sem-fio-mrxj2am-aRead 7 October 2026Exact Wireless Charging Case package MRXJ2AM/A, More Information table UPC 190198764690 and part number MRXJ2AM/A. This is not the wired MV7N2 package. Other incorrect marketing claims on regional page are not used.

Not available

AnnouncediThe maker's first announcement of this model. This is separate from first retail availability.

20 March 20193Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2019/03/airpods-the-worlds-most-popular-wireless-headphones-are-getting-even-betterRead 5 October 2026

18 May 20224Press releaseprnewswire.com/news-releases/sony-electronics-introduces-additional-model-to-linkbuds-series-a-new-frontier-for-headphones--linkbuds-s-301549817.htmlRead 5 October 2026Original Sony Electronics release issued May 18, 2022, syndicated by PR Newswire. May 20 availability is a forecast here and corroborated by actual retrospective review.

Status

Discontinued18Press articlemacrumors.com/2024/09/10/airpods-lineup-streamlinedRead 7 October 2026September 10, 2024 report explicitly says Apple discontinued AirPods 2 and 3 with AirPods 4 launch. Covers marketed AirPods 2 family, not an asserted date for earlier wireless-case bundle withdrawal.

Not available

PredecessoriThe model this one directly replaced, in the same line, tier and size, as the maker or a trusted review names it.

Apple AirPods 13Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2019/03/airpods-the-worlds-most-popular-wireless-headphones-are-getting-even-betterRead 5 October 2026Apple's March 2019 release announces the second generation of AirPods and compares it with first generation AirPods.

Not available

SuccessoriThe model that directly replaced this one, in the same line, tier and size. A revision such as a Slim or OLED model does not count when a next generation exists.

Apple AirPods 331Reviewrtings.com/headphones/reviews/apple/airpods-3rd-generation-truly-wirelessRead 23 October 2026RTINGS says the AirPods 3 follow the AirPods 2nd generation.32Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2021/10/introducing-the-next-generation-of-airpodsRead 23 October 2026Apple's October 2021 release announces the third generation of AirPods and cuts the price of AirPods 2nd generation.

Sony LinkBuds Fit18Reviewm.gsmarena.com/sony_unveils_linkbuds_open_with_open_design_linkbuds_fit_replace_the_linkbuds_s-amp-64762.phpRead 23 October 2026GSMArena says the LinkBuds Fit replaces the LinkBuds S and calls it the sequel to the LinkBuds S.19Reviewtomsguide.com/audio/sony-revives-linkbuds-series-with-a-focus-on-style-and-fit-can-they-beat-boseRead 23 October 2026Tom's Guide says the LinkBuds Fit takes over for the LinkBuds S.

Launch price (US)iThe maker's US launch MSRP for the stated configuration, excluding tax. Current store prices and later discounts do not qualify.

$1993Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2019/03/airpods-the-worlds-most-popular-wireless-headphones-are-getting-even-betterRead 5 October 2026Pricing and Availability explicitly gives 199 USD for the Wireless Charging Case package. The 159 USD standard-case bundle and standalone 79 USD case are different offers. US price before local sales tax. EUR tax scope unproved.

$199.994Press releaseprnewswire.com/news-releases/sony-electronics-introduces-additional-model-to-linkbuds-series-a-new-frontier-for-headphones--linkbuds-s-301549817.htmlRead 5 October 2026Exact US manufacturer MSRP USD 199.99, excluding tax. SoundGuys later USD 198 and current store prices are not launch MSRP.6Press releaseprnewswire.com/news-releases/sony-electronics-announces-the-new-linkbuds-s-earth-blue-noise-canceling-truly-wireless-headphones-made-from-water-dispenser-bottles-and-new-model-linkbuds-uc-for-microsoft-teams-301658003.htmlRead 5 October 2026Earth Blue US original MSRP also USD 199.99. No later retail amount substituted.

Launch price (EU)iThe maker's euro launch price for the stated configuration, including VAT as published. Current store prices and later discounts do not qualify.

Not available

Not available

MarketsiISO country or region codes where this exact model or variant is sold. A source page's language does not establish availability.

US3Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2019/03/airpods-the-worlds-most-popular-wireless-headphones-are-getting-even-betterRead 5 October 2026

US, JP1Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_SRead 5 October 2026Current exact Sony Japan store offers this model for purchase. US availability is established separately by the original launch release.4Press releaseprnewswire.com/news-releases/sony-electronics-introduces-additional-model-to-linkbuds-series-a-new-frontier-for-headphones--linkbuds-s-301549817.htmlRead 5 October 2026

ColoursiThe maker's own colour names

White4Press articlemacrumors.com/2019/03/26/airpods-2-in-store-pickup-now-availableRead 5 October 2026Same report explicitly says solely white.

Black, White, Ecru, Earth Blue1Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_SRead 5 October 2026Original Black, White and Ecru plus later Earth Blue. Ear-tip construction is common but identification markings differ by finish. No unproved regional SKU rows.4Press releaseprnewswire.com/news-releases/sony-electronics-introduces-additional-model-to-linkbuds-series-a-new-frontier-for-headphones--linkbuds-s-301549817.htmlRead 5 October 2026Original White and Black at Sony US and Ecru exclusive Best Buy. Later Earth Blue separately sourced.6Press releaseprnewswire.com/news-releases/sony-electronics-announces-the-new-linkbuds-s-earth-blue-noise-canceling-truly-wireless-headphones-made-from-water-dispenser-bottles-and-new-model-linkbuds-uc-for-microsoft-teams-301658003.htmlRead 5 October 2026October 25, 2022 original Sony release adds Earth Blue. Its earlier colours have been available since May. Earth Blue is a later finish of the same LinkBuds S, not the LinkBuds UC for Teams announced in the same article.

Segment

Music3Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2019/03/airpods-the-worlds-most-popular-wireless-headphones-are-getting-even-betterRead 5 October 2026

Music1Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_SRead 5 October 2026

Design

2 of 4 differ

Form factoriIn-ear seals the ear canal with a tip. Semi-in-ear rests in the outer ear without a seal. Open-ear leaves the ear canal unobstructed.

Semi-in-ear14Reviewsoundguys.com/apple-airpods-review-11072Read 5 October 2026Exact 2019 review says the earbuds do not seal the ear canal. Passive awareness is not an electronic Transparency mode.

In-ear3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 17 instructs sealing with a tip inside the canal. Exact diagrams show compact bodies without extending stems.4Press releaseprnewswire.com/news-releases/sony-electronics-introduces-additional-model-to-linkbuds-series-a-new-frontier-for-headphones--linkbuds-s-301549817.htmlRead 5 October 2026

Bud shapeiStem describes an extending control or microphone stalk. Stemless describes a compact body without a stalk.

Stem14Reviewsoundguys.com/apple-airpods-review-11072Read 5 October 2026

Stemless3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Exact parts and wearing diagrams show stemless bodies.

Use one bud aloneiWhich earbud can operate alone. This does not mean two earbuds can play from different sources.

Either bud6Owner's manualsupport.apple.com/en-euro/guide/airpods/dev57e5b7e58/webRead 5 October 2026Set the microphone location says either earbud works as the microphone when used alone. No simultaneous independent source playback inferred.

Either bud3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Pages 19-20 allow either unit with suitable settings. Service Link requires right. Assistant/control assignments can restrict one-ear operation.10Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_5.htmlRead 5 October 2026

RGB lighting

Not available

Not available

Drivers and sound

9 of 17 differ

Drivers per budiAudio transducers in one earbud. Rows distinguish their type, acoustic role and published diameter. Do not count microphones.

Not available

Not available

Driver typeiPublished transducer technology. High-excursion, composite and neodymium do not by themselves establish a driver type.

Not available

Dynamic2Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/spec.htmlRead 5 October 2026Maker identifies closed dynamic transducer. Neodymium magnet is not treated as diaphragm material.17Maker spec sheet (PDF)boulanger.scene7.com/is/content/Boulanger/4548736144873_f_0Read 5 October 2026

Driver sizeiLargest explicitly published circular driver diameter in one earbud. A rectangular driver width is not a diameter.

Not available

Not available

Drivers per budiTotal audio transducers in one earbud, summed from explicit driver quantities. A row with an unknown quantity makes the total unknown.

Not available

Not available

Diaphragm material

Not available

Not available

Frequency responseiPublished acoustic frequency response of the earbuds. Codec transmission bandwidth alone does not qualify. Conditions belong in the source note.

Not available

Not available

Impedance

23Ω30Reviewheadphonesty.com/2021/07/review-apple-airpodsRead 7 October 2026Bought-and-tested second-generation review, Wireless Charging Case box explicitly identified. Technical Specifications table publishes 23 Ohm. Secondary published internal-driver impedance specification, no maker value found. Not labeled a laboratory measurement, so not put in a measured field. 109 dB sensitivity lacks reference and is omitted. 5 Hz-21 kHz response conflicts Coolblue 61 Hz-21 kHz and is omitted.

Not available

SensitivityiPublished acoustic sensitivity. The electrical reference and frequency must be stated in sensitivity_reference or the source note.

Not available

Not available

Sensitivity reference

Not available

Not available

Max sample rateiHighest supported audio sample rate under the codec and source-device conditions in the source note. This does not establish lossless playback.

Not available

96kHz3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 166 publishes LDAC transmission at 96 kHz and 990 kbps. This is supported codec sample rate, not acoustic frequency response or guaranteed lossless sound.15Reviewwhathifi.com/reviews/sony-linkbuds-sRead 5 October 2026Exact LDAC supported source conditions. Other codecs need their own limits.

Max bit depthiHighest supported audio bit depth under the codec and source-device conditions in the source note. Bluetooth version alone does not establish this.

Not available

24bits15Reviewwhathifi.com/reviews/sony-linkbuds-sRead 5 October 2026Exact review explicitly describes supported LDAC input up to 24-bit/96 kHz at up to 990 kbps from compatible source such as Xperia 1 III. This is codec input capability, not DSEE upscaling or lossless transmission.

Adaptive EQiAn inner mic tunes the sound to your ear in real time

No17Maker product pageapple.com/ph/airpods/compareRead 7 October 2026Exact AirPods (2nd generation) column, ninth product in public comparison data. Adaptive EQ row explicitly labels Adaptive EQ unavailable.

Not available

Personalised soundiA profile from a hearing test or ear scan

Not available

Yes11Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_6.htmlRead 5 October 2026Exact certified 360 Reality Audio maker section optimizes using ear shape and headphone characteristics through companion app. It is not a hearing-test profile.

Onboard EQ

Not available

Yes9Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_4.htmlRead 5 October 2026

Custom EQ bandsiNumber of independently adjustable custom equalizer frequency bands. Availability may require current firmware, an app or a compatible device.

Not available

513Maker product pageexperience.sony-asia.com/ph/home/exploredetail/546Read 5 October 2026Exact maker article includes LinkBuds S in model list and explicitly five EQ frequencies plus separate Clear Bass. Five independently adjustable equalizer bands stored, bass shelf not counted as sixth.

EQ presetsiNamed equalizer sound presets. Noise-control modes and spatial-audio modes are separate features.

Not available

Relaxed, Bass Boost, Treble Boost9Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_4.htmlRead 5 October 2026Maker explicitly names Relaxed and Bass Boost among eight presets. Treble Boost is independently demonstrated by exact SoundGuys measurements. Unnamed presets are omitted.16Measurementsoundguys.com/sony-linkbuds-s-review-74398Read 5 October 2026Exact tested Treble Boost preset is explicitly named and compared against default.

Volume limit

Not available

Not available

Spatial audio

2 of 2 differ

Spatial audioiNamed spatial or surround audio processing supported with the source and platform conditions stated in the source note.

Not available

360 Reality Audio11Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_6.htmlRead 5 October 2026360 Reality Audio content/service required. Dolby Atmos spatial rendering through optional WLA-NS7 and compatible BRAVIA XR is a separate external-system scenario, not an unqualified native earbud codec.

Head trackingiSpatial audio changes with head movement. Static spatial processing alone does not qualify. Compatible device or content requirements belong in the source note.

No12Owner's manualsupport.apple.com/en-sg/guide/airpods/dev00eb7e0a3/webRead 5 October 2026Current Spatial Audio/head tracking eligibility names AirPods 3/4/5, Pro and Max. AirPods 2 is excluded. No later-generation spatial or personalised ear-scan feature is inherited.

Yes12Maker product pagesony.co.uk/electronics/support/software/00278794Read 5 October 2026Exact LinkBuds S firmware 4.3.1 previous-benefits section explicitly adds Head Tracking. Supported phone model and Android OS required. Current feature, not original firmware.

Noise cancelling

8 of 11 differ

Active noise cancelling

No14Reviewsoundguys.com/apple-airpods-review-11072Read 5 October 2026Exact review explicitly zero noise cancellation. No noise-control rows copied from Pro.

Yes4Press releaseprnewswire.com/news-releases/sony-electronics-introduces-additional-model-to-linkbuds-series-a-new-frontier-for-headphones--linkbuds-s-301549817.htmlRead 5 October 20267Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_2.htmlRead 5 October 2026

ANC typeiFeedforward uses exterior microphones. Feedback uses interior microphones. Hybrid uses both. Adaptive control is separate from microphone placement.

Not available

Hybrid7Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_2.htmlRead 5 October 2026Exact Dual Noise Sensor Technology paragraph explicitly integrates feedforward and feedback methods. Activity/location profiles do not establish adaptive ANC-strength calibration or continuously blended audio.

ANC microphones in both earbudsiPhysical microphones used by ANC across the pair. A shared call and ANC microphone counts once. Case microphones and vibration sensors are excluded.

Not available

414Review52audio.com/archives/122319.htmlRead 5 October 2026Two MEMS per earbud explicitly used for active cancellation and call-noise pickup. Four across pair, overlapping call microphones.

Adaptive ANCiANC strength or calibration adjusts automatically to noise, fit or ear acoustics. The source note states the adjustment conditions.

Not available

Not available

ANC levelsiNumber of selectable ANC strength levels. Excludes ANC off, transparency and activity profiles unless they explicitly set distinct strength levels.

Not available

Not available

ANC attenuation (claimed)iManufacturer maximum claimed noise attenuation. Frequency and measurement conditions belong in the source note. This is not reviewer-measured overall attenuation.

Not available

Not available

Transparency mode

No17Maker product pageapple.com/ph/airpods/compareRead 7 October 2026Exact AirPods (2nd generation) column, ninth product in public comparison data. Transparency row explicitly labels Transparency mode unavailable.

Yes7Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_2.htmlRead 5 October 2026

Adjustable transparency

Not available

Yes7Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_2.htmlRead 5 October 2026Exact maker 20 ambient-level adjustment and Voice Focus. These levels are not ANC strength levels.

Automatic ANC and transparency blendiAutomatically blends active cancellation with ambient sound. Automatic activity-based switching between separate modes alone does not qualify.

No17Maker product pageapple.com/ph/airpods/compareRead 7 October 2026Exact AirPods (2nd generation) column, ninth product in public comparison data. Adaptive Audio row explicitly labels Adaptive Audio unavailable.

Not available

Conversation detection

No17Maker product pageapple.com/ph/airpods/compareRead 7 October 2026Exact AirPods (2nd generation) column, ninth product in public comparison data. Conversation Awareness row explicitly labels Conversation Awareness unavailable.

Yes7Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_2.htmlRead 5 October 2026Speak-to-Chat pauses playback and changes to ambient sound on voice detection. User setup and detection sensitivity affect operation.

Wind noise reductioniA documented physical design or processing feature for reducing wind noise. The source note distinguishes mesh or shape changes from selectable processing.

Not available

Yes7Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_2.htmlRead 5 October 2026Maker describes mesh around microphones for reducing wind during ANC and ambient listening. Preliminary French sheet calls automatic wind cancellation, but this physical design is the precise published mechanism.

Measured

7 of 23 differ

Frequency response notes (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Measured response has reduced sub-bass and emphasized midrange. The unsealed fit limits low-frequency reproduction.14Reviewsoundguys.com/apple-airpods-review-11072Read 5 October 2026Exact model lab curve and discussion. Fixture, target revision, firmware and frequency-test codec unstated. No graph points or rating converted into numerical dB.

The default measured response follows the review target through much of the bass and midrange. Response above about 2 kHz is reduced. The Treble Boost preset brings the high range closer to the target.16Measurementsoundguys.com/sony-linkbuds-s-review-74398Read 5 October 2026Published default and Treble Boost lab curves relative to SoundGuys target. Fixture revision, original firmware and codec unstated. Point 35 dB attenuation around 200 Hz does not establish a band-average isolation figure.

Bass amount (measured)iDeviation from the review source target in the bass range. Positive means more bass. Target, test method and settings belong in the source note.

Not available

Not available

Treble amount (measured)iDeviation from the review source target in the treble range. Positive means more treble. Values from different targets may not be directly comparable.

Not available

Not available

Deviation from target (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Consistency between fittings (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Harmonic distortion (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Sound leakage (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Noise isolation (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Noise isolation, best (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Passive isolation (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Call quality notes (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Recorded speech samples cover quiet, street and windy conditions. The review finds voice pickup usable for conference calls.14Reviewsoundguys.com/apple-airpods-review-11072Read 5 October 2026Published ideal/street/windy demos. Recording firmware and codec unstated.

Quiet-condition recordings provide usable speech pickup. The published street-noise recording contains processing artifacts and reduced voice clarity.16Measurementsoundguys.com/sony-linkbuds-s-review-74398Read 5 October 2026Published ideal, office and street demos with explicit processing-artifact discussion. No numeric handling score or unlabelled codec inferred.

Mic low-frequency extension (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Mic high-frequency extension (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Mic speech-to-noise ratio (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Latency (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

AApple AirPods 2

Connection	Platform	Latency (ms)
Bluetooth	iOS	178

Source29Measurementstephencoyle.net/airpods-proRead 7 October 2026December 21, 2019, exact second-generation AirPods result 178 ms. 2018 iPad Pro running iOS 13 as named by author. Apple Pencil screen tap to audible earbud waveform, shotgun mic recorder. 10 Tapt events plus 9 keyboard events, 90 bpm, average 19. Includes input and software delay, not Bluetooth transport alone and not video lip-sync. Codec, firmware, case edition and loudness unstated. Case edition does not change A2031/A2032 earbud hardware. No dedicated low-latency mode inferred from Tapt's continuous audio session.

BSony LinkBuds S

Not available

Bluetooth latency, worst (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

178ms=CalculatedFrom Latency (measured)

Not available

2.4 GHz latency, worst (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Latency in game mode (measured)iThe best case the buds can reach. Measured by a reviewer

Not available

Not available

Battery life (measured)iReviewer-tested operation from one full charge of the earbuds. Excludes case recharges. ANC, codec, connection, volume and tested edition belong in the row or source note.

AApple AirPods 2

ANC	Codec	Hours (h)
No	AAC	4.12

Source14Reviewsoundguys.com/apple-airpods-review-11072Read 5 October 2026Objective continuous playback at 75 dB with iPhone X over AAC lasts 4 h 7 min. Test firmware/app unstated. Case recharges excluded. Android 3 h 29 min prose lacks equally clear sample/codec context and is omitted.

BSony LinkBuds S

Hours (h)
5.68

Source16Measurementsoundguys.com/sony-linkbuds-s-review-74398Read 5 October 2026Exact review tested 5 hours 41 minutes with continuous real music peaking at 75 dB(SPL). ANC state, codec and original firmware not explicit in that paragraph and omitted. Informal experience of case total is not a measured full-case rundown.

Longest tested use per chargeiHighest earbuds-only duration among stored reviewer tests. Modes and settings may differ between tests and products.

4.12h=CalculatedFrom Battery life (measured)

5.68h=CalculatedFrom Battery life (measured)

Battery life with case (measured)iReviewer-tested total including earbuds and case recharges. Do not calculate this by multiplying one-charge runtime by claimed recharge count.

Not available

Not available

Full charge time (measured)iBuds in the case, 0 to 100 %. Measured by a reviewer

30min23Measurementrtings.com/headphones/reviews/apple/airpods-2nd-generation-truly-wirelessRead 7 October 2026Public Commute/Travel verdict says earbuds take 30 minutes to fully charge. RTINGS tested Qi-case variant, Methodology 1.5, review updated 2021. Charge method defines 0 to 100 using LED time-lapse with no playback load. Firmware, case initial charge, adapter and ambient temperature unstated. This is earbuds charge, not empty-case charge.24Measurementrtings.com/headphones/tests/active-features/battery-lifeRead 7 October 2026Charge Time method: empty to full, time-lapse LED monitoring, no load while charging. Method documented separately from the model's publicly stated 30 minute result. Full lab result blocks were not accessed.

Not available

Weight per bud (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Microphones and calls

4 of 7 differ

Voice microphones in both earbudsiPhysical call and beamforming microphones across the pair. Excludes case microphones and vibration sensors. Shared ANC microphones can also count here when used for calls.

Not available

414Review52audio.com/archives/122319.htmlRead 5 October 2026Exact teardown describes two physical MEMS microphones in an earbud, both used for voice and noise cancellation. Four across the pair. Shared roles count once in total.

All microphones in both earbudsiEvery physical microphone across the pair, including call and ANC microphones. Shared microphones count once. Excludes the charging case and voice vibration sensors.

Not available

414Review52audio.com/archives/122319.htmlRead 5 October 2026Two MEMS per earbud, four across pair. Physical voice and ANC roles overlap. Motion and IR sensors not counted.

Bone conduction voice sensoriA dedicated bone or jaw conduction sensor for detecting speech vibrations. A microphone or speech-detecting accelerometer alone does not prove this architecture.

Not available

Not available

Mic noise reduction

Not available

AI8Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_3.htmlRead 5 October 2026Precise Voice Pickup algorithm explicitly trained on more than 500 million voice samples, separating wearer voice from environmental noise. Inner microphones also used for calls. This is voice noise reduction, not merely DSEE music upscaling.

Call audio bandwidthiHighest supported call-audio bandwidth. Compatible phone, operating system, call app or network requirements belong in the source note.

Not available

Not available

Mic mute controliAn earbud control that mutes the microphone during calls. Includes touch or pressure gestures and physical buttons. Phone/app-only controls do not qualify.

Not available

Not available

SidetoneiHear your own voice in calls

Not available

Yes3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 100 explicitly returns own voice through the headset microphone during calls.

Connectivity

15 of 18 differ

Chip

H11Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111856Read 5 October 2026

Sony Integrated Processor V14Press releaseprnewswire.com/news-releases/sony-electronics-introduces-additional-model-to-linkbuds-series-a-new-frontier-for-headphones--linkbuds-s-301549817.htmlRead 5 October 2026Original release explicitly Sony Integrated Processor V1. Open LinkBuds and LinkBuds Fit processors are not borrowed.7Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_2.htmlRead 5 October 20269Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_4.htmlRead 5 October 202617Maker spec sheet (PDF)boulanger.scene7.com/is/content/Boulanger/4548736144873_f_0Read 5 October 2026

Connections

Bluetooth5Owner's manualcdsassets.apple.com/live/6GJYWVAV/start/ma1852_airpods-2gen-qsg.pdfRead 5 October 2026

Bluetooth3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026

Bluetooth

5.01Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111856Read 5 October 2026

5.22Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/spec.htmlRead 5 October 20263Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026

Bluetooth codecs

SBC, AAC13Reviewsoundguys.com/airpods-2nd-generation-vs-apple-airpods-3rd-generation-61838Read 5 October 2026Exact second-generation connectivity comparison explicitly names both music codecs. No LE Audio, LC3 or lossless claim from Bluetooth version alone.

SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC32Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/spec.htmlRead 5 October 2026SBC/AAC/LDAC for Classic Audio and LC3 for later LE Audio. LE features are not claimed as original May 2022 firmware.3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026

Bluetooth profiles

A2DP, HSP, HFP, AVRCP25Retailer pagecoolblue.be/fr/produit/828805/apple-airpods-2.htmlRead 7 October 2026Bluetooth section explicitly lists all four profiles for second-generation earbuds. This retailer lists wired-case MV7N2ZM/A package, whose A2031/A2032 earbud hardware is shared with A1938 wireless-case package. Only earbud Bluetooth profiles are used, no case facts inherited.

A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP, TMAP, CSIP, MCP, VCP, CCP2Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/spec.htmlRead 5 October 2026Original A2DP/AVRCP/HFP/HSP plus current TMAP/CSIP/MCP/VCP/CCP LE profiles. Current specification and manual agree.3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026

LE Audio

Not available

Yes3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Pages 39-41 and 97 explicitly LC3 / LE Audio with supported Android device and re-pairing. This is actual later feature support, not inferred from Bluetooth 5.2.12Maker product pagesony.co.uk/electronics/support/software/00278794Read 5 October 2026Later update explicitly supported LE Audio with Xperia 1 V/5 V and expanded compatible-device list. No Auracast support inferred.

Auracast

Not available

Not available

MultipointiConcurrent Bluetooth connections to multiple source devices. Pairing memory and switching through a manufacturer account alone do not qualify.

No21Reviewsoundguys.com/apple-airpods-review-11072Read 7 October 2026Frequently asked questions explicitly says no Bluetooth multipoint. Apple account automatic switching is a distinct feature, already retained.

Yes3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Pages 76-77 two simultaneous Classic Audio source links and one playing stream at a time. Current app page 118 excludes multipoint under LE Audio.6Press releaseprnewswire.com/news-releases/sony-electronics-announces-the-new-linkbuds-s-earth-blue-noise-canceling-truly-wireless-headphones-made-from-water-dispenser-bottles-and-new-model-linkbuds-uc-for-microsoft-teams-301658003.htmlRead 5 October 2026Release states a later software update for simultaneous two-device connections, so this feature is qualified as later firmware.10Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_5.htmlRead 5 October 202612Maker product pagesony.co.uk/electronics/support/software/00278794Read 5 October 2026

Multipoint devicesiMaximum source devices concurrently connected by Bluetooth, not the number remembered in pairing history.

Not available

23Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 202610Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_5.htmlRead 5 October 2026

Multipoint with LDACiMany buds turn multipoint off on LDAC

Not available

Yes10Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_5.htmlRead 5 October 2026Current exact maker explicitly says high-quality LDAC remains available in multipoint. This does not apply to LE Audio multipoint.

Paired devices rememberediMaximum remembered Bluetooth source pairings. This is separate from simultaneous multipoint connections.

Not available

810Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_5.htmlRead 5 October 2026Exact maker up to eight remembered devices, separate from two simultaneous source connections.

Automatic switching between own devicesiThrough the maker's account

Yes7Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/104988Read 5 October 2026Explicit AirPods 2 compatibility. Latest host operating systems, same Apple Account and two-factor authentication required. This is account-based automatic routing, not proof of generic Bluetooth multipoint.

Not available

Fast pairing

Apple one-tap setup5Owner's manualcdsassets.apple.com/live/6GJYWVAV/start/ma1852_airpods-2gen-qsg.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 2 iPhone setup: open case near unlocked iPhone and follow Connect prompt. Requires compatible Apple software. Android pairing remains conventional Bluetooth.

Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair10Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_5.htmlRead 5 October 2026Exact Google Fast Pair and Windows 10/11 quick pairing. Manual page 49 explicitly names Microsoft Swift Pair and Windows 10 version 1803 requirement.

Audio sharingiShare one stream with a second pair

Yes10Owner's manualsupport.apple.com/en-sg/guide/airpods/aside/iph9b2d76d2f/27/web/27Read 5 October 2026Current maker compatibility list explicitly includes all AirPods models. Requires supported iPhone/iPad and another compatible Apple/Beats pair. It is one source shared to two pairs, not multipoint.

Not available

Wireless range (claimed)

Not available

10m2Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/spec.htmlRead 5 October 2026Approximately 10 m line of sight, not a guaranteed indoor range. Manual states obstacle and interference limitations.3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Pages 165-166 approximate 10 m line of sight and interference caveat.

Wireless receiveri2.4 GHz dongle

None22Reviewrtings.com/headphones/reviews/apple/airpods-2nd-generation-truly-wirelessRead 7 October 2026Public Wireless Gaming verdict explicitly Bluetooth-only headphones. No proprietary 2.4 GHz receiver route. Variants section says actual test unit used Qi wireless charging case.

Not available

Receiver connector

Not available

Not available

Simultaneous 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth audioiBoth connection types can play audio together. Quick switching between independent modes does not qualify.

No22Reviewrtings.com/headphones/reviews/apple/airpods-2nd-generation-truly-wirelessRead 7 October 2026Same Bluetooth-only verdict excludes a concurrent proprietary 2.4 GHz audio route. This does not confuse Bluetooth's radio frequency with a dedicated 2.4 GHz mode.

Not available

Latency

None of 3 known

Low latency mode

Not available

Not available

Claimed latency

Not available

Not available

Lowest claimed latency

Not available

Not available

Compatibility

3 of 4 differ

PlatformsiPlatforms with documented audio support. App availability and advanced features can be more limited. Edition-specific support is listed in variants.

iOS, macOS, Android8Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/108786Read 5 October 2026

Android, iOS, Windows, macOS3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Pages 35-48 Android/iPhone, 49-57 Windows and 58-70 macOS. No console Bluetooth microphone compatibility is inferred.

Connection per platformiDocumented audio connection for each platform. USB-C phone routes require a compatible port. Platform edition and microphone restrictions belong in source notes or feature requirements.

AApple AirPods 2

Platform	Connection	Microphone works
iOS	Bluetooth	Not available
macOS	Bluetooth	Not available
Android	Bluetooth	Yes

Source8Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/108786Read 5 October 2026Mac pairing and Android/non-Apple Bluetooth headset chapter. Siri and Apple integration are unavailable on Android. The Android listen-and-talk statement proves its microphone path. No gaming-console compatibility inferred from generic Bluetooth.

BSony LinkBuds S

Platform	Connection	Microphone works
Android	Bluetooth	Yes
iOS	Bluetooth	Yes
Windows	Bluetooth	Yes
macOS	Bluetooth	Yes

Source3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Bluetooth music via A2DP and calls via HFP/HSP. Exact manual computer-call chapter covers video conferencing. Required Bluetooth adapter and application support stated. macOS chapter specifies 10.15 or later.

Features that need a specific deviceiDevice, operating system, firmware, codec, content, account or region requirements for a named feature.

AApple AirPods 2

Feature	Needs
Headphone Accommodations and Custom Audio Setup	Supported iPhone or iPad with iOS or iPadOS 14 or later. Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Headphone Accommodations.

Source26Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/102663Read 7 October 2026Exact compatibility list includes AirPods 2. Current Custom Audio Setup compares audio samples and suggests settings based on preferences. This is host accessibility customization, not proof of a hearing threshold test, ear scan or onboard EQ. No Mac support for AirPods 2 inferred from Pro 2-only Mac guide.

BSony LinkBuds S

Feature	Needs
LC3 and LE Audio	Updated headset firmware, a maker-supported LE Audio Android device, and LE Audio Priority selected in the companion app. Delete Classic Audio pairing and pair again. Multipoint and several app functions are unavailable during LE Audio.
Head tracking	Updated headset firmware, supported Android phone and OS, companion app setup and a spatial-audio-compatible service. Historical Locatone integration ended in April 2025 and is not required for the current Android feature.
360 Reality Audio personalization	Companion app ear-shape analysis, compatible content and streaming service. Subscription and regional availability may apply.
LDAC multipoint	Current firmware and Connect to 2 devices simultaneously enabled in the companion app. It routes one audio stream at a time.
Google audio switch	Android 8.0 or later, Google Play, Google Fast Pair pairing and the same Google account on the Android devices. This is separate from Sony Auto Switch with a compatible speaker.
Single-bud use	Either bud works with suitable control assignments. Service Link requires the right bud. Google Assistant or Alexa assignment can limit which bud works alone.
Consecutive-tap volume controls	Updated headset firmware. Four or more left taps lower music volume and right taps raise it. During calls, adjust volume on the phone or app.

Source3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Exact pages 19-20, 39-41, 76-78, 118 and 120 retain feature restrictions, current versus launch firmware and supported platform conditions.6Press releaseprnewswire.com/news-releases/sony-electronics-announces-the-new-linkbuds-s-earth-blue-noise-canceling-truly-wireless-headphones-made-from-water-dispenser-bottles-and-new-model-linkbuds-uc-for-microsoft-teams-301658003.htmlRead 5 October 20268Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_3.htmlRead 5 October 2026Calls require Bluetooth HFP/HSP support. Current Android head tracking separately supported by firmware and support article. Historical Locatone is not treated as a current prerequisite.10Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_5.htmlRead 5 October 2026Google audio switch needs Android 8+, Google Play, same Google account and Fast Pair. Current Sony Auto Switch with a compatible speaker is a separate function and is not generic automatic switching between source devices.11Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_6.htmlRead 5 October 2026Companion app or Spatial Sound Personalizer ear photos plus supported service/content. No subscription-free or region-universal promise.12Maker product pagesony.co.uk/electronics/support/software/00278794Read 5 October 2026Later two-device connections, volume taps, LE Audio, head tracking and new Find My Device are listed explicitly. New finding is restricted to dedicated Classic Audio.

Official licence

Not available

Not available

Battery and charging

10 of 13 differ

Battery per budiBattery cell capacity of one earbud. The source note states typical or rated capacity. Charging input current is not capacity.

Not available

Not available

User-replaceable earbud batteryiThe maker documents normal battery replacement by the user with its approved procedure and tools. Service or recycling disassembly does not count.

Not available

Not available

Claimed battery lifeiManufacturer maximum runtime under the stated mode, codec and spatial processing state. Name the spatial or immersive processing mode and other conditions in source notes. Omit unspecified settings. with_case false means one charge of the earbuds. true means earbuds plus case recharges.

AApple AirPods 2

Mode	Includes case recharges	Hours (h)
ANC off	No	5
ANC off	Yes	24
Call	No	3

Source1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111856Read 5 October 2026Up to 5 h earbuds-only. More than 24 h including case, stored as a lower bound of 24. Maker February 2019 preproduction test paired iPhone Xs Max, 50% volume, 358 iTunes tracks encoded at 256 kbps AAC. File encoding does not establish transmitted Bluetooth codec, so codec omitted. Playback ends when the first earbud stops. Case-inclusive test repeats recharge and playback to empty.28Maker product pageapple.com/eg/airpods-2nd-generation/specsRead 7 October 2026AirPods battery row explicitly up to 3 hours talk time from one earbud charge. Only earbuds-only call row used. This is same A2031/A2032 hardware as the wireless-case package. Page case-inclusive 18 h is labeled Lightning case and is not borrowed for A1938. Test call conditions not exposed in this readable page. No codec, volume, host or firmware inferred.

BSony LinkBuds S

Mode	Codec	Includes case recharges	Hours (h)
ANC on	LDAC	No	3.5
Transparency	LDAC	No	3.5
ANC off	LDAC	No	4.5
ANC on	AAC	No	6
Transparency	AAC	No	6
ANC off	AAC	No	9
ANC on	SBC	No	6
Transparency	SBC	No	6
ANC off	SBC	No	9
ANC on	LC3	No	5.5
Transparency	LC3	No	5.5
ANC off	LC3	No	9
ANC on	AAC	Yes	20
ANC off	AAC	Yes	30
Call	Not available	No	3.5

Source3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Pages 27-28 separate LDAC/AAC/SBC/LC3 playback with ANC, ambient and both off. EQ, DSEE Extreme, Speak-to-Chat, wake-word assistant and Service Link reduce listed maxima. Volume and original measurement firmware are not stated. Calls are up to 3.5 hours in all three noise-control states, codec unstated. Standby 8.5 hours ANC, 8 ambient and 16 both off cannot be represented by existing runtime modes and are not stored.10Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_5.htmlRead 5 October 2026Maker with-case 20 hours ANC on and 30 hours off. Footnote identifies AAC, DSEE/EQ off and all other settings default. No nominal full-recharge multiplication.

Longest claimed use per chargeiHighest earbuds-only runtime among all stored modes. This can be ANC off, Hearing Aid, heart-rate or call use. Read the battery table and source conditions.

5h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

9h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

Playback per charge with ANC (claimed)iHighest claimed earbuds-only playback with ANC enabled. Codec and spatial-audio conditions belong in the source note.

Not available

6h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

Playback per charge without ANC (claimed)iHighest claimed earbuds-only playback with ANC disabled. Codec and volume conditions belong in the source note.

5h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

9h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

Total with case (claimed)iHighest claimed runtime including the initial earbud charge and all case recharges. It is not the case recharge runtime alone.

24h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

30h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

Total with case and ANC (claimed)iClaimed total playback with ANC, including the initial earbud charge and case recharges.

Not available

20h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

Talk time (claimed)

3h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

3.5h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

Full charge time, budsiTime to charge discharged earbuds to full in the case. Excludes charging the case itself or a combined buds-and-case result.

Not available

120min3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 25 approximately two hours for empty earbuds charging in a previously charged case. Page 24 empty-to-full combined earbuds/case is about three hours. Page 25 recommends ambient 15 to 35 degrees C. Page 165 rated charging-temperature range is 5 to 35 degrees C.

Charging guidanceiPublished charging guidance or estimates that do not separate earbuds and case. Preserve the maker’s component scope and limits. Do not assign an unspecified or combined estimate to a component-specific numeric field.

Not available

Not available

Quick charge timeiCharge duration corresponding to quick_charge_playback_h. Source note states earbuds-only or case-inclusive charging and playback settings.

15min1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111856Read 5 October 2026

5min3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 202610Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_5.htmlRead 5 October 2026

Earbud playback after quick chargeiEarbuds-only runtime after quick_charge_min of charging. A claimed case-inclusive total does not qualify. ANC, codec and volume conditions belong in the source note.

3h1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111856Read 5 October 2026Maker 15 min in the case with drained earbuds provides up to 3 h earbuds-only playback. Same February 2019 iPhone/playlist/50% volume test. Not a claim for charging the case itself.

1h3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 27 approximately one hour after five-minute charge. Exact Japan feature page footnote independently specifies AAC, ANC on, DSEE/EQ off and all other functions default.10Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_5.htmlRead 5 October 2026Five-minute charge provides up to one hour, AAC/ANC on, DSEE/EQ off, other settings default. Earbuds-only playback.

Charging case

5 of 10 differ

Case batteryiCharging-case battery cell capacity. The source note distinguishes typical, rated and output capacity. USB output capacity alone does not qualify.

398mAh15Reviewifixit.com/Teardown/AirPods+2+Teardown/121471Read 5 October 2026Steps 4/10 exact A1938 case marking and A1596 battery: 398 mAh, 3.81 V, 1.52 Wh. This is case-cell capacity, not earbuds or output capacity. Earbud 93 mWh is not converted to mAh. Teardown quoted original case 40 g corroborates exact standalone maker case sheet 111860, preferred over shared mixed-case 38.2 g row 111856.

450mAh14Review52audio.com/archives/122319.htmlRead 5 October 2026Original June 20, 2022 exact WF-LS900N teardown: case label explicitly rated 450 mAh/1.732 Wh, nominal 3.85 V, SP 731834 pack. Earbud ZeniPower Z52H only 0.21 Wh/3.85 V is not converted to rounded mAh or replaced by 75 mAh aftermarket listings.

User-replaceable case batteryiThe maker documents normal case battery replacement by the user with its approved procedure and tools. Service or recycling disassembly does not count.

Not available

Not available

Case charging port

Lightning1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111856Read 5 October 2026

USB-C3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026

Case full charge timeiBy cable, 0 to 100 %. A time the maker gives with the earbuds inside the case counts, and the source note says so.

Not available

180min3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 165 case charging approximately three hours. Pages 24-25 define empty-to-full USB charging with supplied cable and a USB adapter able to supply at least 500 mA. Preliminary sheet calling earbuds three hours conflates the combined result.

Wireless charging

Yes1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111856Read 5 October 2026

No5Reviewtechradar.com/reviews/sony-linkbuds-sRead 5 October 2026Exact review explicitly states no wireless charging compatibility. USB-C case charging only.

Wireless standardsiDocumented case charging standards or supported chargers. Magnetic alignment alone does not establish Qi2 certification.

Qi1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111856Read 5 October 2026

Not available

Wireless charging poweriHighest wireless charging input the maker states for the case. The output of a charging pad does not count.

Not available

Not available

Speaker in caseiAn audio speaker physically in the charging case, for locating or status sounds. A microphone in the case is separate.

Not available

Not available

Screen on case

Not available

Not available

Case works as audio transmitteriCase relays external source audio through USB or an analog audio input. A case microphone for recording or calls does not qualify.

Not available

Not available

Controls

3 of 5 differ

ControlsiPressure is a force sensor that does not move, such as a stem you squeeze. Button is a key that moves when pressed.

Touch, Voice commands5Owner's manualcdsassets.apple.com/live/6GJYWVAV/start/ma1852_airpods-2gen-qsg.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 1 double tap on an earbud and hands-free Hey Siri. Case pairing button is not an earbud playback control.

Touch, Voice commands3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026

Earbud volume controliHow earbud controls adjust volume, including a voice command if supported. Phone or app controls alone do not qualify.

Voice3Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2019/03/airpods-the-worlds-most-popular-wireless-headphones-are-getting-even-betterRead 5 October 2026Original release explicitly says hands-free Hey Siri can adjust volume. There is no stem swipe or physical volume button.

Touch3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 21 left consecutive taps lower and right raise music volume. Page 100 explicitly says call volume cannot be adjusted on the buds and must use phone/app.

Gestures

Double tap5Owner's manualcdsassets.apple.com/live/6GJYWVAV/start/ma1852_airpods-2gen-qsg.pdfRead 5 October 2026

Single tap, Double tap, Triple tap, Four or more consecutive taps, Touch and hold3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 21 single, double, triple, four-or-more taps and hold. Consecutive-tap volume support is later firmware. No original LinkBuds wide-area skin taps copied.

Remappable controls

Yes6Owner's manualsupport.apple.com/en-euro/guide/airpods/dev57e5b7e58/webRead 5 October 2026AirPods 1/2 double-tap action can be selected separately for each earbud. No arbitrary extra gesture or dedicated mute control inferred.

Yes3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026

Voice assistant

Siri5Owner's manualcdsassets.apple.com/live/6GJYWVAV/start/ma1852_airpods-2gen-qsg.pdfRead 5 October 2026

Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Siri3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 202610Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_5.htmlRead 5 October 2026

Sensors and health

3 of 9 differ

In-ear detection

Yes6Owner's manualsupport.apple.com/en-euro/guide/airpods/dev57e5b7e58/webRead 5 October 2026Turn off automatic ear detection describes stop/resume when removed/reinserted. Settings and ecosystem features require supported Apple hosts.

Yes3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 202610Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_5.htmlRead 5 October 2026

Sensors

Dual optical sensors, Motion-detecting accelerometer, Speech-detecting accelerometer1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111856Read 5 October 2026Published sensor types. Dual beamforming microphones lack an explicit per-earbud count scope, so no physical microphone count is inferred. A speech-detecting accelerometer is not proof of a bone-conduction sensor.

Infrared wearing sensors, Motion sensor3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 13 identifies IR wearing sensors. Motion sensing is separately maker-published. A speech-detecting motion sensor is not claimed as dedicated bone-conduction pickup.8Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_3.htmlRead 5 October 2026Maker explicitly identifies internal motion sensor for historical spatial application head tracking. Locatone integration ended April 21, 2025 and is not presented as a current service.14Review52audio.com/archives/122319.htmlRead 5 October 2026Teardown identifies optical wearing sensor and 5L1DR accelerometer. This does not establish bone/jaw speech-conduction pickup.

Heart rate sensor

Not available

Not available

Skin temperature sensingiA documented skin temperature sensor. This is separate from the operating temperature range or a heart-rate sensor.

Not available

Not available

Hearing aid featureiAmplification for mild to moderate hearing loss

No17Maker product pageapple.com/ph/airpods/compareRead 7 October 2026Exact AirPods (2nd generation) column, ninth product in public comparison data. Hearing Health row explicitly labels Hearing health unavailable. Footnote 10 limits Hearing Test and Hearing Aid to AirPods Pro 2 and later. Live Listen is a separate host-microphone accessibility route.

Not available

Medical clearances

Not available

Not available

Hearing testiA documented hearing assessment feature, including consumer sound-personalization tests. Medical diagnostic clearance must be stated separately.

Not available

Not available

Hearing protectioniLimits sudden loud sounds

No17Maker product pageapple.com/ph/airpods/compareRead 7 October 2026Exact AirPods (2nd generation) column, ninth product in public comparison data. Hearing Health row explicitly labels Hearing health unavailable. Refers to environmental hearing protection, not phone media volume limits.

Not available

Health features

Not available

Not available

Fit and durability

4 of 7 differ

Ear tips includediTip sizes supplied with the product, including the pair fitted to the earbuds. Do not list separately sold sizes as included.

Not available

SS, S, M, LL3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026SS/S/M/LL, two of each, M preinstalled. Page 10 explicitly says L is not supplied and sold separately. Preliminary French sheet three S/M/L sizes is overruled by the original manual.

Ear tip materials

Not available

Silicone3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Hybrid silicone rubber is Sony naming for silicone construction, not proof of silicone/foam hybrid tips.

StabilisersiPhysical stabilizing fittings or structures. Stability bands are separate from fins, wings and ear hooks.

Not available

Not available

Ear tip fit test

Not available

Yes3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Pages 17-18 app determines which supplied tips seal best. This is an acoustic fit test, not a hearing assessment.

Dust and water rating, buds

Not available

IPX43Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 133 exact IPX4 equivalent for earbuds only. Sound conduits, air holes and microphone parts are not completely watertight. Case explicitly not water resistant. No case IP class inferred.

Dust and water rating, case

Not available

Not available

Water resistance depth

Not available

Not available

Software

3 of 6 differ

Companion app

Not available

Sony | Sound Connect9Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_4.htmlRead 5 October 2026Exact maker names Sound Connect, formerly Headphones Connect. Original manual old branding is retained only as historical source wording.12Maker product pagesony.co.uk/electronics/support/software/00278794Read 5 October 2026Firmware page explicitly current Sony Sound Connect app. Latest update requires Android 10+ or iOS 16+ and app 12.3+.

App platforms

Not available

Android, iOS3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Pages 34 and 120 explicitly Android/iPhone app setup. Current firmware update names Sony Sound Connect.

User firmware updates

Yes9Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/106340Read 5 October 2026Exact AirPods 2 appears in current firmware list at 6F21. Updates are delivered while charging near a Wi-Fi-connected iPhone, iPad or Mac. No Android updater or future feature promise inferred.

Yes3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 118 explicitly software updates through companion app.12Maker product pagesony.co.uk/electronics/support/software/00278794Read 5 October 2026

Finding network

Last location in the app11Owner's manualsupport.apple.com/en-am/guide/airpods/dev8e8b93d71/webRead 5 October 2026Find My works with all models, but the explicit offline Find My network list excludes AirPods 2. Its app shows the last connected time/place when offline. No crowd-based offline network claimed.

Last location in the app10Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_5.htmlRead 5 October 2026Current exact page describes last Android connection location/time using Google app after Fast Pair. Firmware adds new Find My Device support, but offline crowd-network eligibility is not explicit in the reopened exact documentation. Only proved last-location capability stored.

Precision findingiUWB in the case

No11Owner's manualsupport.apple.com/en-am/guide/airpods/dev8e8b93d71/webRead 5 October 2026Current guide reserves UWB case precision finding for AirPods Pro 2/3. It is not supported by A1938.

Not available

Live translation

Not available

Not available

Dimensions and weight

4 of 4 differ

Weight per budiMass of one earbud. Tip size and approximate values belong in the source note. Do not store pair or case-inclusive mass.

4g(0.1 oz)1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111856Read 5 October 2026

4.8g(0.2 oz)2Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/spec.htmlRead 5 October 2026Approximate 4.8 g per unit, with M tips confirmed by manual page 165.3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 165 approximately 4.8 g each including M tips. Pair mass not stored as single-bud weight.

Bud dimensionsiDimensions of one earbud on the explicitly identified width, height and depth axes. An unlabeled tuple cannot establish those axes.

Width16.5Height40.5Depth18mm(0.6 × 1.6 × 0.7 in)1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111856Read 5 October 2026Size and Weight explicitly labels width, height and depth for each earbud. These are not dimensions of the pair.

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Case weightiCharging case mass excluding earbuds. Case-inclusive product mass does not qualify unless the source explicitly gives the empty-case figure.

40g(1.4 oz)27Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111860Read 7 October 2026Exact 2019 Wireless Charging Case technical sheet: 40 g, empty standalone case, compatible with AirPods 1 and 2. Apple Identify Your AirPods 109525 maps this 2019 Qi case to A1938. More specific A1938-only maker row takes precedence over shared Lightning-or-Wireless 38.2 g row 111856, which remains a documented contradiction. Not applicable to wired A1602. Exact-case primary source resolution approved by manager.

35g(1.2 oz)3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 165 approximately 35 g charging case, excluding buds. SoundGuys 42 g in-case figure is not substituted.

Case dimensionsiCharging-case width, height and depth on explicitly identified source axes. Report conflicting axis labels rather than reorder a tuple by appearance.

Width44.3Height53.5Depth21.3mm(1.7 × 2.1 × 0.8 in)1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111856Read 5 October 2026Exact published case axis labels. The same body dimensions are listed for both case versions.

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Certifications

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Hi-Res AudioiThe Japan Audio Society logos. Hi-Res Audio Wireless is also written Hi-Res Wireless Audio.

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Hi-Res Audio Wireless9Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_4.htmlRead 5 October 2026Exact model Hi-Res Audio Wireless / LDAC conditions. DSEE Extreme upscales to 96 kHz/24 bit and does not establish accepted input bit depth by itself.17Maker spec sheet (PDF)boulanger.scene7.com/is/content/Boulanger/4548736144873_f_0Read 5 October 2026

Communication certifications

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FCC IDs

BCG-A2031, BCG-A203216Owner's manualcdsassets.apple.com/live/6GJYWVAV/information/ma1861_airpods-2nd-gen-wireless-case-info.pdfRead 5 October 2026Original 20-page Wireless Charging Case package safety/regulatory leaflet. US Certification Number table explicitly gives both earbud FCC IDs. No charging-case FCC identifier inferred.

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Other certifications

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360 Reality Audio certified11Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_6.htmlRead 5 October 2026

In the box

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In the box

AirPods 2, Wireless Charging Case, Lightning to USB-A cable, Documentation1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111856Read 5 October 2026Wireless A1938 package only. Cable length unstated. No adapter supplied in the published complete list.

LinkBuds S earbuds, Charging case, Hybrid silicone rubber ear tips (SS, S, M, LL pairs), USB-A to USB-C cable3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 9 complete package list: earbuds, charging case, one USB-A/C cable and four pairs of hybrid silicone rubber tips. Manuals and warranty card observed in a regional teardown are not assigned to every international box.

Cables included

AApple AirPods 2

Type	Count
Lightning to USB-A cable	1

Source1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111856Read 5 October 2026

BSony LinkBuds S

Type	Length (m)	Count
USB-A to USB-C cable	0.2	1

Source3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 9 approximately 20 cm USB-A to USB-C, one cable.

Links

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Product page

support.apple.com/en-us/1118561Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111856Read 5 October 2026

www.sony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S1Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_SRead 5 October 2026Exact Sony Japan LinkBuds S generation and current storefront. The smaller original open-ring LinkBuds WF-L900 and later LinkBuds Fit WF-LS910N are excluded.

Spec sheet

support.apple.com/en-us/1118561Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111856Read 5 October 2026Exact 2019 AirPods 2. Reference package uses Wireless Charging Case A1938. The standard wired-only A1602 package is excluded from this file. Current shared case weight 38.2 g conflicts with the contemporary A1938 teardown specification of 40 g. Case weight now uses 40 g from the exact standalone Wireless Charging Case maker sheet 111860, which is more specific than this mixed-case row. Contradiction remains source-qualified. No standalone maker PDF datasheet found.

www.sony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/spec.html2Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/spec.htmlRead 5 October 2026Exact maker specification table, read alongside current original 166-page manual. Proved driver diameter is 5 mm, but the physical per-bud transducer count is not explicitly stated. Optional driver table is omitted because its missing count would derive one.17Maker spec sheet (PDF)boulanger.scene7.com/is/content/Boulanger/4548736144873_f_0Read 5 October 2026Original Sony France preliminary two-page product sheet, reopened from distributor. 5 mm dynamic and V1 agree. Three-tip S/M/L package, 3-hour earbud charge and 3 h 50 min call claims conflict with original manual and are rejected. Printed case axes 42.8 x 60 x 27.6 mm in width/height/depth order conflict with other maker tuple conventions, so case dimensions remain absent. Numeric diameter retained here without unsafe count-derived table.

Manual

cdsassets.apple.com/live/6GJYWVAV/start/ma1852_airpods-2gen-qsg.pdf5Owner's manualcdsassets.apple.com/live/6GJYWVAV/start/ma1852_airpods-2gen-qsg.pdfRead 5 October 2026Original 2019 two-page Quick Start Guide for the Wireless Charging Case package, linked by Apple document identity 300122. Both sides read. Current complete user-guide chapters separately establish remapping and wear detection.

helpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdf3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Exact original YY2950 / WF-LS900N 166-page Help Guide, current revision 5-035-792-11(8), copyright 2022.

EPREL registration numberiId in the EU energy label database. Each size or model of a series has its own id, so it is per variant.

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Warranty

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Manufacturer warranty (source market)iThe maker's warranty period for the exact SKU or configuration and market named in the source note. It applies only to that stated market, not every regional variant. Statutory consumer rights are excluded. The base term is stored. An extension that needs registration goes in the source note.

1year19Maker product pageapple.com/legal/warranty/products/accessory-warranty-english.htmlRead 7 October 2026Apple One (1) Year Limited Warranty for Accessories, Worldwide English version, November 9, 2023. Apple-branded hardware and included accessories covered for one year from original retail purchase. US reference package, statutory rights separate.

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Both are also in the API. Back to all earbuds.