Earbuds / Compare

Sony LinkBuds S vs Sony WF-1000XM4

A

Product A: Sony

LinkBuds S

88 of 166 known

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B

Product B: Sony

WF-1000XM4

85 of 166 known

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All 166 fields

Every value links to where we found it.

Only differences

ASony LinkBuds S

BSony WF-1000XM4

General

5 of 8 differ

Series

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

1000X1Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM4Read 5 October 2026

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

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.

WF-1000XM4, YY29481Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM4Read 5 October 20263Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026

GTIN / EAN

Not available

Not available

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

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.

8 June 20215Press releasesony.mediaroom.com/2021-06-08-Sony-Electronics-Unveils-the-WF-1000XM4-Truly-Wireless-Headphones,-Setting-a-New-Standard-for-Noise-CancellationRead 5 October 2026

Status

Not available

Discontinued1Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM4Read 5 October 2026Current exact Japanese maker page explicitly marks production discontinued. Regional retail stock may remain.

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

Not available

Sony WF-1000XM313Reviewtechradar.com/news/sony-wf-1000xm4-take-the-crown-as-the-best-true-wireless-earbuds-of-2021Read 23 October 2026TechRadar's launch report calls the WF-1000XM4 the successor to the WF-1000XM3.14Reviewnotebookcheck.net/The-Sony-WF-1000XM4-launches-with-some-exciting-features-and-an-inflated-price-tag.544040.0.htmlRead 23 October 2026Notebookcheck calls the WF-1000XM4 the follow-up to the WF-1000XM3.

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.

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.

Sony WF-1000XM515Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM5/feature_2.htmlRead 23 October 2026Sony Japan's product page calls the WF-1000XM4 the previous model of the WF-1000XM5.

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

$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.

$279.995Press releasesony.mediaroom.com/2021-06-08-Sony-Electronics-Unveils-the-WF-1000XM4-Truly-Wireless-Headphones,-Setting-a-New-Standard-for-Noise-CancellationRead 5 October 2026Original US launch MSRP, before local sales tax. Current prices and SoundGuys rounded 278 USD are not substituted. Ordering opened June 8. Actual retail date is separately corroborated by retrospective TechRadar release/availability text.

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.

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

US, JP1Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM4Read 5 October 2026Japanese exact product/store history and original US launch release separately establish JP and US. A translated support page alone does not establish another sales market.5Press releasesony.mediaroom.com/2021-06-08-Sony-Electronics-Unveils-the-WF-1000XM4-Truly-Wireless-Headphones,-Setting-a-New-Standard-for-Noise-CancellationRead 5 October 2026

ColoursiThe maker's own colour names

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.

Black, Platinum Silver1Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM4Read 5 October 2026Exact maker Black and Platinum Silver. US launch calls the second colour silver. No newer XM5/XM6 finish borrowed.

Segment

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

Music5Press releasesony.mediaroom.com/2021-06-08-Sony-Electronics-Unveils-the-WF-1000XM4-Truly-Wireless-Headphones,-Setting-a-New-Standard-for-Noise-CancellationRead 5 October 2026

Design

0 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.

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

In-ear5Press releasesony.mediaroom.com/2021-06-08-Sony-Electronics-Unveils-the-WF-1000XM4-Truly-Wireless-Headphones,-Setting-a-New-Standard-for-Noise-CancellationRead 5 October 2026Sealing foam tips and ergonomic ear-cavity design. No stem on exact maker photo and manual drawings.

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

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

Stemless5Press releasesony.mediaroom.com/2021-06-08-Sony-Electronics-Unveils-the-WF-1000XM4-Truly-Wireless-Headphones,-Setting-a-New-Standard-for-Noise-CancellationRead 5 October 2026

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

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

Either bud3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Pages 19-20 either unit works alone with mobile-device assistant or no assistant. Google Assistant/Alexa assignments can restrict single-bud use to the playback-control earbud, initially the right unit. No independent simultaneous source playback inferred.

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.

ASony LinkBuds S

Not available

BSony WF-1000XM4

Type	Diameter (mm)	Count per earbud
Dynamic	6	1

Source2Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM4/spec.htmlRead 5 October 2026Exact maker table says closed dynamic and 6 mm. The separately opened original Crutchfield review explicitly states a single 6 mm dynamic driver in each earbud. Acoustic role is not explicitly published and remains omitted.12Reviewcrutchfield.com/S-L8b4RWU6LPi/learn/sony-wf-1000xm4-review.htmlRead 5 October 2026Original first-hand review by Jeff Miller, who auditioned this exact model for a week. Cleaner, more spacious sound paragraph and exploded-component caption explicitly say each earbud includes a single 6 mm dynamic driver. This is the physical per-earbud count. Its erroneous 13 h ANC-off battery claim is not used over exact Sony manual and launch data.

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

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

Dynamic2Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM4/spec.htmlRead 5 October 2026

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

Not available

6mm=CalculatedFrom Drivers per bud

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

1=CalculatedFrom Drivers per bud

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

Max40kHz8Maker spec sheet (PDF)sony.com.my/microsite/MDR/SONY_WF1000XM4.pdfRead 5 October 2026Original maker 16-page model brochure, page 6 explicitly says drivers reproduce a full range of frequencies up to 40 kHz. This is an acoustic driver claim, separate from the Bluetooth transmission table. No acoustic lower cutoff, tolerance or test setup is supplied. Only the proved upper limit is stored. Full original PDF text read through web extraction. Direct file download returned 403.

Impedance

Not available

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.

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.

Not available

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.

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.

Not available

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

Not available

Not available

Personalised soundiA profile from a hearing test or ear scan

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.

Yes6Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM4/feature_1.htmlRead 5 October 2026Exact maker personal optimization explicitly uses individual ear shape and headphone characteristics. Fit test is separate acoustic-seal assessment.

Onboard EQ

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

Not available

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

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.

Not available

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

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.

Not available

Volume limit

Not available

Not available

Spatial audio

1 of 2 differ

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

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.

360 Reality Audio6Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM4/feature_1.htmlRead 5 October 2026Exact maker 360 Reality Audio certified model. Ear-shape optimization through companion app and supported service/content required. No head tracking inferred.

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

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.

Not available

Noise cancelling

0 of 11 differ

Active noise cancelling

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

Yes5Press releasesony.mediaroom.com/2021-06-08-Sony-Electronics-Unveils-the-WF-1000XM4-Truly-Wireless-Headphones,-Setting-a-New-Standard-for-Noise-CancellationRead 5 October 2026

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

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.

Hybrid5Press releasesony.mediaroom.com/2021-06-08-Sony-Electronics-Unveils-the-WF-1000XM4-Truly-Wireless-Headphones,-Setting-a-New-Standard-for-Noise-CancellationRead 5 October 2026

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.

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.

45Press releasesony.mediaroom.com/2021-06-08-Sony-Electronics-Unveils-the-WF-1000XM4-Truly-Wireless-Headphones,-Setting-a-New-Standard-for-Noise-CancellationRead 5 October 2026Original release explicitly two noise-sensing microphones per earbud, one feedforward and one feedback, hence four across pair.

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

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

Yes5Press releasesony.mediaroom.com/2021-06-08-Sony-Electronics-Unveils-the-WF-1000XM4-Truly-Wireless-Headphones,-Setting-a-New-Standard-for-Noise-CancellationRead 5 October 2026

Adjustable transparency

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.

Yes7Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM4/feature_5.htmlRead 5 October 2026Exact maker ambient volume slider and Voice Focus. Japanese page calls 21 steps, while original Malaysian sheet says 20 slider levels. No strength-level count stored. Activity-based profile switching does not prove ANC continuously adapting or blending ANC/transparency.

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

Not available

Not available

Conversation detection

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.

Yes5Press releasesony.mediaroom.com/2021-06-08-Sony-Electronics-Unveils-the-WF-1000XM4-Truly-Wireless-Headphones,-Setting-a-New-Standard-for-Noise-CancellationRead 5 October 2026

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

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.

Yes5Press releasesony.mediaroom.com/2021-06-08-Sony-Electronics-Unveils-the-WF-1000XM4-Truly-Wireless-Headphones,-Setting-a-New-Standard-for-Noise-CancellationRead 5 October 2026Automatic Wind Noise Reduction is selectable processing that detects wind and compensates. Not a physical mesh claim.

Measured

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

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.

The measured default response emphasizes bass and lower midrange. Output above about 2 kHz is reduced relative to the review target.10Reviewsoundguys.com/sony-wf-1000xm4-review-53454Read 5 October 2026Exact lab curve discussion, not plotted coordinate estimates. Fixture/target revision, firmware and codec unstated.

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

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.

Published quiet, office and wind recordings show usable call pickup in quiet. Background office noise and wind reduce voice clarity.10Reviewsoundguys.com/sony-wf-1000xm4-review-53454Read 5 October 2026Exact ideal/office/wind demos. Review comments on AAC quality but does not explicitly label every sample codec. No sample codec or quantitative noise-handling score 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

Not available

Not available

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

Not available

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.

ASony 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.

BSony WF-1000XM4

Hours (h)
7.72

Source10Reviewsoundguys.com/sony-wf-1000xm4-review-53454Read 5 October 2026Exact review reports 7 h 43 min per earbud charge. ANC state, codec, original test firmware and playback level are not explicit in that paragraph and remain omitted. No claimed case total or later battery-aging reports converted into lab data.

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

5.68h=CalculatedFrom Battery life (measured)

7.72h=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

Not available

Not available

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

Not available

Not available

Microphones and calls

3 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.

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.

45Press releasesony.mediaroom.com/2021-06-08-Sony-Electronics-Unveils-the-WF-1000XM4-Truly-Wireless-Headphones,-Setting-a-New-Standard-for-Noise-CancellationRead 5 October 2026Speak-to-Chat paragraph explicitly combines four microphones for Precise Voice Pickup. Bone-conduction sensors are excluded from physical microphone counts. Total physical microphone count is not inferred from overlap between call and ANC roles.

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.

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.

Not available

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

Yes5Press releasesony.mediaroom.com/2021-06-08-Sony-Electronics-Unveils-the-WF-1000XM4-Truly-Wireless-Headphones,-Setting-a-New-Standard-for-Noise-CancellationRead 5 October 2026

Mic noise reduction

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.

DSP5Press releasesony.mediaroom.com/2021-06-08-Sony-Electronics-Unveils-the-WF-1000XM4-Truly-Wireless-Headphones,-Setting-a-New-Standard-for-Noise-CancellationRead 5 October 2026Precise Voice Pickup uses beamforming and advanced audio signal processing. DSEE AI is music upscaling, not proof of AI voice noise reduction.

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

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.

Yes3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Pages 86-92 call chapters explicitly hear own voice through microphones. No adjustable sidetone level claimed.

Connectivity

5 of 18 differ

Chip

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

Sony Integrated Processor V15Press releasesony.mediaroom.com/2021-06-08-Sony-Electronics-Unveils-the-WF-1000XM4-Truly-Wireless-Headphones,-Setting-a-New-Standard-for-Noise-CancellationRead 5 October 2026

Connections

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

Bluetooth3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026

Bluetooth

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

5.22Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM4/spec.htmlRead 5 October 2026

Bluetooth codecs

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

SBC, AAC, LDAC2Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM4/spec.htmlRead 5 October 2026Published music codecs only. The SoundGuys review incorrectly infers LE Audio from Bluetooth 5.2, which is not used. A2DP transmission bandwidth does not establish acoustic response or maximum accepted input bit depth.

Bluetooth profiles

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

A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP2Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM4/spec.htmlRead 5 October 2026

LE Audio

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.

Not available

Auracast

Not available

Not available

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

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

Yes3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Pages 69-70 current manual explicitly simultaneous two-device connections with app toggle. It is a later software feature, not a launch claim. One audio stream at a time. LDAC availability during multipoint remains unproved.

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

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

23Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026

Multipoint with LDACiMany buds turn multipoint off on LDAC

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.

Not available

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

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.

Not available

Automatic switching between own devicesiThrough the maker's account

Not available

Not available

Fast pairing

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.

Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair5Press releasesony.mediaroom.com/2021-06-08-Sony-Electronics-Unveils-the-WF-1000XM4-Truly-Wireless-Headphones,-Setting-a-New-Standard-for-Noise-CancellationRead 5 October 2026Original release explicitly Google Fast Pair Android and Microsoft Swift Pair Windows 10. Manual requires Windows 10 version 1803 or later for Swift Pair.

Audio sharingiShare one stream with a second pair

Not available

Not available

Wireless range (claimed)

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.

10m2Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM4/spec.htmlRead 5 October 2026Manual page 143 specifies approximate 10 m line of sight, with surroundings affecting range. No measured range implied.

Wireless receiveri2.4 GHz dongle

Not available

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.

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

1 of 4 differ

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

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.

Android, iOS, Windows, macOS3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026

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.

ASony 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.

BSony WF-1000XM4

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

Source3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Exact Android, iPhone, Windows 10/8.1 and Mac setup chapters. Page 93 video-call instructions explicitly select HFP/HSP calling connections for speakers and microphone. No gaming-console support inferred.

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

ASony 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.

BSony WF-1000XM4

Feature	Needs
360 Reality Audio personalization	Compatible Android/iPhone, companion app ear-shape analysis, supported content and a compatible streaming service. Subscription and regional availability may apply.
LDAC	Compatible LDAC source and Priority on sound quality in companion app. iPhone Bluetooth music uses AAC instead.
Two-device multipoint	Updated firmware and companion app Connect to 2 devices simultaneously enabled. It routes one audio stream at a time.

Source9Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM4Read 5 October 2026Original launch footnotes 2, 4 and 5 and current exact manual pages 69-70/84/106 independently establish each requirement. Later app name changes do not imply a later hardware model.

Official licence

Not available

Not available

Battery and charging

8 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.

ASony 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.

BSony WF-1000XM4

Mode	Codec	Includes case recharges	Hours (h)
ANC on	LDAC	No	5
ANC off	LDAC	No	6
Transparency	LDAC	No	4.5
ANC on	AAC	No	8
ANC off	AAC	No	12
Transparency	AAC	No	8
ANC on	SBC	No	7.5
ANC off	SBC	No	11
Transparency	SBC	No	7
ANC on	AAC	Yes	24
ANC off	AAC	Yes	36
Call	Not available	No	6

Source1Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM4Read 5 October 20263Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 20264Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Pages 27-28 music rows with DSEE Extreme OFF. ANC off also means Ambient Sound off. DSEE AUTO shortens LDAC ANC/on,off,ambient to 3.5/4/3.5 h, AAC to 6/8/6 h and SBC to 5.5/7/5.5 h. AUTO alternatives are noted rather than merged into indistinguishable rows. Volume and firmware unstated. Japanese maker footnote explicitly supplies AAC and DSEE/EQ off for case-inclusive 24 h ANC on and 36 h off. Case totals include earbuds. Call maximum 6 h with ANC/Ambient off and codec unstated. Other call modes: 5.5 h ANC on, 5 h Ambient on. No unsupported call ANC column added.

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.

9h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

12h=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.

6h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

8h=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.

9h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

12h=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.

30h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

36h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

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

20h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

24h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

Talk time (claimed)

3.5h=CalculatedFrom Claimed battery life

6h=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.

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.

90min3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Manual page 24 defines empty-to-full charging. Earbuds fully charge in approximately 1.5 h from a previously charged case. Approximately 3 h refers to charging both headset and case together over USB. Page 25 recommends ambient 15 to 35 C. Page 143 corroborates the technical durations. These are claims, not measured values.

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.

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

5min3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 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.

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.

1h1Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM4Read 5 October 20263Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 27 about 1 h playback after 5 min charging. Exact maker Japanese page footnote qualifies AAC, ANC on, DSEE/EQ off and other features at default.

Charging case

3 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.

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.

Not available

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

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

USB-C3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/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.

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.

180min3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Manual page 24 approximately 3 h empty-to-full USB charging with earbuds installed and charging simultaneously. Page 143 separately labels charging case approximately 3 h. No faster empty-case-only or Qi duration inferred. Recommended ambient 15 to 35 C on page 25.

Wireless charging

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

Yes5Press releasesony.mediaroom.com/2021-06-08-Sony-Electronics-Unveils-the-WF-1000XM4-Truly-Wireless-Headphones,-Setting-a-New-Standard-for-Noise-CancellationRead 5 October 2026

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

Not available

Qi5Press releasesony.mediaroom.com/2021-06-08-Sony-Electronics-Unveils-the-WF-1000XM4-Truly-Wireless-Headphones,-Setting-a-New-Standard-for-Noise-CancellationRead 5 October 2026

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

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

Touch, Voice commands3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/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.

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.

Touch3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Pages 21-22 permit assigning playback volume adjustment to touch sensors. Factory touch functions and assistant assignment affect availability.

Gestures

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.

Single tap, Double tap, Triple tap, Touch and hold3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026

Remappable controls

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

Yes3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026

Voice assistant

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

Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Siri3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 20265Press releasesony.mediaroom.com/2021-06-08-Sony-Electronics-Unveils-the-WF-1000XM4-Truly-Wireless-Headphones,-Setting-a-New-Standard-for-Noise-CancellationRead 5 October 2026Google Assistant/Alexa explicitly original launch, with supported language/region and app setup requirements. Siri activation is touch-controlled in manual pages 104-105, not hands-free Hey Siri.

Sensors and health

1 of 9 differ

In-ear detection

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

Yes3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Pages 17-18 explicitly IR sensing and pause/resume on removing/replacing either earbud.

Sensors

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.

Infrared wearing sensor, Bone conduction voice sensor3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026IR wearing sensor explicit in manual. Dedicated bone-conduction speech pickup sensor separately explicit in original maker release, not a speech-detecting accelerometer.

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

Not available

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

Not available

Not available

Health features

Not available

Not available

Fit and durability

2 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.

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.

S, M, L3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026

Ear tip materials

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.

Foam3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 9 and maintenance chapters explicitly polyurethane foam. No silicone tip material inferred from siblings.

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

Not available

Not available

Ear tip fit test

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.

Yes5Press releasesony.mediaroom.com/2021-06-08-Sony-Electronics-Unveils-the-WF-1000XM4-Truly-Wireless-Headphones,-Setting-a-New-Standard-for-Noise-CancellationRead 5 October 2026Original app measures acoustic seal with supplied Noise Isolation tips. This is not a hearing assessment.

Dust and water rating, buds

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.

IPX43Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 20265Press releasesony.mediaroom.com/2021-06-08-Sony-Electronics-Unveils-the-WF-1000XM4-Truly-Wireless-Headphones,-Setting-a-New-Standard-for-Noise-CancellationRead 5 October 2026Earbuds only. Launch footnote 12 excludes sound conduit, vents and two microphone holes per unit from protection scope and states case is not water resistant.

Dust and water rating, case

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Water resistance depth

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Software

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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+.

Sony | Sound Connect1Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM4Read 5 October 2026Current maker feature 5 names Sony Sound Connect. Original manual and launch use its former name Sony | Headphones Connect.7Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM4/feature_5.htmlRead 5 October 2026Exact current maker feature page names Sony Sound Connect. This replaces the former Sony | Headphones Connect name used in the original manual.

App platforms

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.

Android, iOS3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 108 explicitly Google Play and Apple App Store. No desktop companion app inferred.

User firmware updates

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

Yes3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026

Finding network

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.

Last location in the app8Maker spec sheet (PDF)sony.com.my/microsite/MDR/SONY_WF1000XM4.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 10 explicitly Google Find My Device last known smartphone location and nearby tone. No crowd-based offline Find Hub network or UWB precision-finding claim.

Precision findingiUWB in the case

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Live translation

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Dimensions and weight

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

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.

7.3g(0.3 oz)2Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM4/spec.htmlRead 5 October 2026Approximate mass of one earbud, corroborated by manual page 143 as 7.3 g x2 with M tips attached.

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

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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.

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.

41g(1.4 oz)2Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM4/spec.htmlRead 5 October 2026Approximate empty charging-case mass, separately listed on manual page 143.

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

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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.

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

Hi-Res Audio Wireless6Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM4/feature_1.htmlRead 5 October 2026Hi-Res Audio Wireless logo on exact maker page and LDAC conditions. DSEE upscaling to 96 kHz/24 bit and V1 24-bit internal processing do not establish maximum accepted digital input resolution.

Communication certifications

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FCC IDs

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Other certifications

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

360 Reality Audio certified6Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM4/feature_1.htmlRead 5 October 2026

In the box

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In the box

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.

WF-1000XM4 earbuds, Charging case, Noise isolation ear tips (S, M, L pairs), USB-A to USB-C cable, Documentation1Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM4Read 5 October 20263Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 8 publishes cable, case and three pairs of EP-NI1000 tips. M pair fitted, not an extra pair. Japanese maker page explicitly includes instruction manual and warranty documentation.

Cables included

ASony 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.

BSony WF-1000XM4

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

Source3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 8 states one supplied cable, approximately 20 cm.

Links

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Product page

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.

www.sony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM41Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM4Read 5 October 2026

Spec sheet

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.

www.sony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM4/spec.html2Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WF-1000XM4/spec.htmlRead 5 October 2026

Manual

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.

helpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdf3Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/wf1000xm4/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Original exact YY2948 Help Guide, 144 pages, revision 5-027-983-11(6). Technical tables, package, controls, charging, calls and updated multipoint chapters read. Later software capabilities are qualified separately from launch.

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

None of 1 known

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.

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