Earbuds / Compare
JBL Tune Flex vs Sony LinkBuds S
Product A: JBL
61 of 166 known
Product B: Sony
88 of 166 known
76 of 157 fields differ
- 28 different values
- 48 known for one only
- 18 the same
- 63 missing for both
Biggest differences
Each bar uses the scale of all 138 earbuds.
- Quick chargeA: 2hB: 1hJBL is 1 h higher.
- Total with case and ANC (claimed)A: 24hB: 20hJBL is 4 h higher.
- Battery lifeA: 8hB: 9hSony is 1 h higher.
Weight
0 to 80 g
Weight per bud
A4.8g
B4.8g
Case weight
A38.6g
B35g
All 166 fields
Every value links to where we found it.


General
6 of 8 differ
Series
Not available
Model numbers
GTIN / EAN
050036397001, 050036397025, 0500363970183Retailer pageamazon.com/dp/B0C1QNRGHCRead 20 October 2026UPC 050036397001 for Black on Amazon US. Greentoe lists 050036397025 for Blue and Creative Audio 050036397018 for White.5Retailer pagegreentoe.com/product/JBL_Jbl_Tune_Flex_True_Wireless_Noise-Cancelling_Earbuds__Blue__JBLTFLEXBLUAMRead 20 October 2026Blue UPC 050036397025. Greentoe also lists earphone and case dimensions with no axis names, which are not stored.6Retailer pagecreativeaudio.net/jbltflexwhtamRead 20 October 2026White UPC 050036397018. The box list names one open eartip, 3 sizes of sealing eartips and a QSG and safety sheet.
Not available
Status
Not available
Predecessor
Not available
Not available
Successor
JBL Tune Flex 210Maker product pagesupport.jbl.com/all-headphones/TUNE-FLEX-2.htmlRead 23 October 2026The JBL support page for the Tune Flex 2 lists the JBL Tune Flex as its predecessor product.
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)
Not available
$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)
Not available
Not available
Markets
US, GB, EU, IN2Press releaseharman.com/india/pages/JBL-launches-JBL-Tune-Flex,-World%E2%80%99s-First-Transformable-TWS-Earbuds.aspxRead 20 October 2026Sold in India from 2022-09-06. The maker's Indian launch price was Rs.6,999.3Retailer pageamazon.com/dp/B0C1QNRGHCRead 20 October 2026Amazon US and the US retailers list the US models JBLTFLEX..AM.7Reviewt3.com/reviews/jbl-tune-flex-reviewRead 20 October 2026T3 reviewed it in the UK at 90 pounds on 2022-10-04 and said it was not yet in the US or Australia.9Measurementtest-achats.be/hightech/casques-audio-et-ecouteurs/comparateur/jbl-tune-flex/278/88525Read 20 October 2026Test-Achats lists the Tune Flex for Belgium at 37.99 euro and says it is no longer on the market there.
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
Colours
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
Design
1 of 4 differ
Form factor
In-ear1Owner's manualeasylounge.com/cdn/shop/files/6932e5c53e6ebd9ef610f7116ad9c4d670b1512b_JBLTFLEXBC_01_guide_de_demarrage.pdfRead 20 October 2026JBL calls it Sound Fit, with open ear tips or sealing ear tips. Expert Reviews says the buds are open-ear by default. In-ear is stored because ANC and the three larger tips are the sealing form. This is a dual-form earbud.8Reviewexpertreviews.co.uk/technology/headphones-audio/jbl-tune-flex-reviewRead 20 October 2026Review says the buds are open-ear by default and become sealing buds with the included eartips.
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 shape
Use one bud alone
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
11 of 17 differ
Drivers per bud
AJBL Tune Flex
| Type | Diameter (mm) | Count per earbud |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamic | 12 | 1 |
BSony LinkBuds S
Not availableDriver type
Driver size
12mm
Not available
Drivers per bud
1
Not available
Diaphragm material
Not available
Not available
Frequency response
Not available
Sensitivity
Not available
Not available
Sensitivity reference
Not available
Not available
Max sample rate
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 depth
Not available
Adaptive EQ
Not available
Not available
Personalised sound
Not available
Onboard EQ
Not available
EQ presets
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 audio
Not available
Noise cancelling
6 of 11 differ
Active noise cancelling
ANC microphones in both earbuds
Adaptive ANC
Not available
Not available
ANC attenuation (claimed)
Not available
Not available
Transparency mode
Adjustable transparency
Not available
Automatic ANC and transparency blend
Not available
Not available
Conversation detection
Not available
Wind noise reduction
Not available
Measured
4 of 23 differ
Frequency response notes (measured)
Expert Reviews describes an EQ tuned for fun with an emphasis on bass, warm and energetic with bass-heavy genres. T3 found the sound more precise and punchy with the sealing tips than without them.7Reviewt3.com/reviews/jbl-tune-flex-reviewRead 20 October 2026T3 says the sound is much more precise and punchy with the sealing tips than with the open tips. Qualitative.8Reviewexpertreviews.co.uk/technology/headphones-audio/jbl-tune-flex-reviewRead 20 October 2026Review says the EQ is tuned for fun with a bass emphasis. Qualitative, no measurements.
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)
Not available
Not available
Treble amount (measured)
Not available
Not available
Deviation from target (measured)
Not available
Not available
Consistency between fittings (measured)
Not available
Not available
Harmonic distortion (measured)
Not available
Not available
Sound leakage (measured)
Not available
Not available
Noise isolation (measured)
Not available
Not available
Noise isolation, best (measured)
Not available
Not available
Passive isolation (measured)
Not available
Not available
Call quality notes (measured)
Expert Reviews found crisp calls in most situations with no echo, tinniness or quietness. Test-Achats rates microphone intelligibility 5 stars without ambient noise and 4 stars with ambient noise. These are qualitative ratings.8Reviewexpertreviews.co.uk/technology/headphones-audio/jbl-tune-flex-reviewRead 20 October 2026Review says voice calls were crisp in most situations with none of the echo, tinniness or quietness of rivals. Qualitative.
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)
Not available
Not available
Mic high-frequency extension (measured)
Not available
Not available
Mic speech-to-noise ratio (measured)
Not available
Not available
Latency (measured)
Not available
Not available
Bluetooth latency, worst (measured)
Not available
Not available
2.4 GHz latency, worst (measured)
Not available
Not available
Latency in game mode (measured)
Not available
Not available
Battery life (measured)
Longest tested use per charge
5.55h
5.68h
Battery life with case (measured)
Not available
Not available
Full charge time (measured)
Not available
Not available
Weight per bud (measured)
Not available
Not available
Microphones and calls
3 of 7 differ
Voice microphones in both earbuds
All microphones in both earbuds
Not available
Bone conduction voice sensor
Not available
Not available
Call audio bandwidth
Not available
Not available
Mic mute control
Not available
Sidetone
Connectivity
10 of 18 differ
Chip
Not available
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
Bluetooth
Bluetooth codecs
Not available
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 V1.3, AVRCP V1.6, HFP V1.71Owner's manualeasylounge.com/cdn/shop/files/6932e5c53e6ebd9ef610f7116ad9c4d670b1512b_JBLTFLEXBC_01_guide_de_demarrage.pdfRead 20 October 2026
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
Multipoint
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 devices
Not available
Multipoint with LDAC
Not available
Paired devices remembered
Not available
Automatic switching between own devices
Not available
Not available
Fast pairing
Audio sharing
Not available
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 receiver
Not available
Not available
Receiver connector
Not available
Not available
Simultaneous 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth audio
Not available
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
Platforms
Connection per platform
AJBL Tune Flex
Not availableBSony LinkBuds S
| Platform | Connection | Microphone works |
|---|---|---|
| Android | Bluetooth | Yes |
| iOS | Bluetooth | Yes |
| Windows | Bluetooth | Yes |
| macOS | Bluetooth | Yes |
Features that need a specific device
AJBL Tune Flex
Not availableBSony 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
11 of 13 differ
Battery per bud
Not available
User-replaceable earbud battery
Not available
Not available
Claimed battery life
AJBL Tune Flex
| Mode | Includes case recharges | Hours (h) |
|---|---|---|
| ANC off | No | 8 |
| ANC off | Yes | 32 |
| ANC on | No | 6 |
| ANC on | Yes | 24 |
| Call | No | 4.5 |
Source1Owner's manualeasylounge.com/cdn/shop/files/6932e5c53e6ebd9ef610f7116ad9c4d670b1512b_JBLTFLEXBC_01_guide_de_demarrage.pdfRead 20 October 2026Tech Spec: music playtime with Bluetooth on and ANC off up to 8 hours, with ANC on up to 6 hours, talk time 4.5 hours. Test conditions and whether ANC is on for the talk time are not stated.2Press releaseharman.com/india/pages/JBL-launches-JBL-Tune-Flex,-World%E2%80%99s-First-Transformable-TWS-Earbuds.aspxRead 20 October 2026Up to 8H in the earbuds plus 24H in the case with ANC off, so 32 h with the case.3Retailer pageamazon.com/dp/B0C1QNRGHCRead 20 October 2026Bullet text: 32 (8 plus 24) hours of battery life, or 6 hours plus 18 hours in the case with noise cancelling on. That gives 32 h and 24 h with the case.
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 charge
8h
9h
Playback per charge with ANC (claimed)
6h
6h
Playback per charge without ANC (claimed)
8h
9h
Total with case (claimed)
32h
30h
Total with case and ANC (claimed)
24h
20h
Talk time (claimed)
4.5h
3.5h
Full charge time, buds
Not available
Charging guidance
The Quick Start Guide gives a charging time of under 2 hours from empty and does not say whether that is the earbuds or the case. Input is 5 V 1 A.1Owner's manualeasylounge.com/cdn/shop/files/6932e5c53e6ebd9ef610f7116ad9c4d670b1512b_JBLTFLEXBC_01_guide_de_demarrage.pdfRead 20 October 2026Tech Spec: charging time under 2 hours from empty, power supply 5 V 1 A. The scope is not stated.
Not available
Quick charge time
Earbud playback after quick charge
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
2 of 10 differ
Case battery
User-replaceable case battery
Not available
Not available
Case charging port
Case full charge time
Not available
Wireless charging
No4Retailer pagegreentoe.com/product/JBL_Jbl_Tune_Flex_True_Wireless_Noise-Cancelling_Earbuds__Black__JBLTFLEXBLKAMRead 20 October 2026Greentoe key specs list wireless charging as None. T3 says the case does not support wireless charging.7Reviewt3.com/reviews/jbl-tune-flex-reviewRead 20 October 2026T3 says the case does not support wireless charging.
Wireless standards
Not available
Not available
Wireless charging power
Not available
Not available
Speaker in case
Not available
Not available
Screen on case
Not available
Not available
Case works as audio transmitter
Not available
Not available
Controls
4 of 5 differ
Controls
Touch, Voice commands3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026
Earbud volume control
Not available
Gestures
Tap once on the left earbud: switch between ANC and Ambient Aware (needs the JBL Headphones app), Tap twice on the left earbud: TalkThru (needs the JBL Headphones app), Tap once on the right earbud: play or pause, Tap twice on the right earbud: next track, Tap three times on the right earbud: previous track, Tap twice on either earbud during a call: answer or end the call, Hold either earbud for 2 seconds during a call: mute or unmute the microphone, Hold either earbud for 2 seconds: voice assistant1Owner's manualeasylounge.com/cdn/shop/files/6932e5c53e6ebd9ef610f7116ad9c4d670b1512b_JBLTFLEXBC_01_guide_de_demarrage.pdfRead 20 October 2026Read from the Controls diagram. Left earbud: tap once ANC and Ambient Aware, tap twice TalkThru. Right earbud: tap once play or pause, twice next, three times previous. Call answer and end on two taps, mute on a hold and the voice assistant on a hold. The ANC, Ambient Aware and TalkThru actions need the app.
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
Voice assistant
Google Assistant, Bixby, Siri1Owner's manualeasylounge.com/cdn/shop/files/6932e5c53e6ebd9ef610f7116ad9c4d670b1512b_JBLTFLEXBC_01_guide_de_demarrage.pdfRead 20 October 2026Controls diagram names Bixby / Siri / Others and an OK Google voice assistant. The assistant is enabled in the app and assigned to either earbud.2Press releaseharman.com/india/pages/JBL-launches-JBL-Tune-Flex,-World%E2%80%99s-First-Transformable-TWS-Earbuds.aspxRead 20 October 2026Hands-free voice control with Google Assistant.
Sensors and health
2 of 9 differ
In-ear detection
Not available
Sensors
Not available
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 sensing
Not available
Not available
Hearing aid feature
Not available
Not available
Medical clearances
Not available
Not available
Hearing test
Not available
Not available
Hearing protection
Not available
Not available
Health features
Not available
Not available
Fit and durability
3 of 7 differ
Ear tips included
Ear tip materials
Not available
Stabilisers
Not available
Not available
Ear tip fit test
Not available
Dust and water rating, buds
Dust and water rating, case
Not available
Not available
Water resistance depth
Not available
Not available
Software
2 of 6 differ
Companion app
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
User firmware updates
Finding network
Not available
Precision finding
Not available
Not available
Live translation
Not available
Not available
Dimensions and weight
1 of 4 differ
Weight per bud
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 dimensions
Not available
Not available
Case weight
Case dimensions
Not available
Not available
Certifications
2 of 3 differ
Hi-Res Audio
Not available
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
Not available
Not available
FCC IDs
Not available
Not available
Other certifications
Not available
360 Reality Audio certified11Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/LinkBuds_S/feature_6.htmlRead 5 October 2026
In the box
2 of 2 differ
In the box
Earbuds, Charging case, USB-C charging cable, Open ear tips (XS), Sealing ear tips (S, M, L), Quick start guide and safety sheet, Warranty sheet1Owner's manualeasylounge.com/cdn/shop/files/6932e5c53e6ebd9ef610f7116ad9c4d670b1512b_JBLTFLEXBC_01_guide_de_demarrage.pdfRead 20 October 2026In the Box diagram: earbuds, charging case, open ear tips, sealing ear tips, documents and a USB-A to USB-C cable.
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
AJBL Tune Flex
Not availableBSony LinkBuds S
| Type | Length (m) | Count |
|---|---|---|
| USB-A to USB-C cable | 0.2 | 1 |
Links
Not compared
Product page
Not available
Spec sheet
Not available
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
www.easylounge.com/cdn/shop/files/6932e5c53e6ebd9ef610f7116ad9c4d670b1512b_JBLTFLEXBC_01_guide_de_demarrage.pdf1Owner's manualeasylounge.com/cdn/shop/files/6932e5c53e6ebd9ef610f7116ad9c4d670b1512b_JBLTFLEXBC_01_guide_de_demarrage.pdfRead 20 October 2026Multilingual JBL Tune Flex Quick Start Guide as hosted by a retailer, because jbl.com is not read. It carries the Tech Spec table and the controls and charging diagrams.
EPREL registration number
Not available
Not available
Warranty
1 of 1 differ
Manufacturer warranty (source market)
Not available
Both are also in the API. Back to all earbuds.















