True Wireless
Apple AirPods Pro 3
86Outstanding
$180
Full review dataApple AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony Linkbuds S: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Apple AirPods Pro 3 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Apple AirPods Pro 3 - Outstanding overall at around $179.
True Wireless
Sony Linkbuds S
64Good
$200
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads on 7 of 7 measures.
- Apple AirPods Pro 3
- Sony Linkbuds S
HearWiki score
86
64
Sound
8.6
7.3
Noise cancelling
9.3
7.4
Battery
7.3
5.2
Calls
7.4
6.8
Value
8.3
4.8
Price (USD)
$180
$200
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Mixed generations
Apple AirPods Pro 3 (2025) against Sony Linkbuds S (2023). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the Apple AirPods Pro 3 brings Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.2 and ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid, while the Sony Linkbuds S answers with Top codec LC3 against AAC and LE Audio (LC3). The Apple AirPods Pro 3 answers on convenience features: it adds Wireless charging and Water resistance IP57 against IPX4.
- AirPods Pro 320252 yr newer
- Linkbuds S2023
What differsAirPods Pro 3Linkbuds S
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.2
- Top codec
- AAC
- LC3
- LE Audio (LC3)
- No
- Yes
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- Hybrid
- Wireless charging
- Yes
- No
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IPX4
Platform
Everyday features
Level on: Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Wear detection, Transparency mode, Companion app.
Specifications
AirPods Pro 3Linkbuds S
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $180
- $200
- HearWiki score
- 86
- 64
- Released
- 2025
- 2023
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 10.7 mm dynamic
- 5 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 10.7 mm
- 5 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Sensitivity
- 110 dB/mW
- -
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.2
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- Yes
- Wireless range
- -
- 10 m
- Battery life
- 8 h
- 9 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 8 h
- 6 h
- Full charge time
- -
- 120 min
- Quick charge
- -
- 5 min → 1 h
- Wireless charging
- Yes
- No
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- Yes
- ANC type
- adaptive
- hybrid
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- Yes
- Companion app
- Yes
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- -
- Yes
- Wear detection
- Yes
- Yes
- Controls
- touch
- touch
- Voice assistant
- Siri
- Alexa
- Weight
- 5.5 g
- 4.8 g
- Case weight
- 44 g
- 35 g
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IPX4
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Model code
- -
- WF-LS900N
- Microphones
- 3
- -
- Microphone type
- beamforming
- -
What reviewers said
Apple AirPods Pro 3
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are premium true wireless earbuds that combine adaptive active noise cancellation with a comfortable, secure fit. They deliver clear calls, robust battery life, and a balanced sound profile, all wrapped in an IP57-rated design that handles water and dust. With Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connectivity, and wireless charging, they offer a polished experience for Apple and non-Apple users alike.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Clear call quality with beamforming mics
- Pro:Strong battery life of 8 hours with ANC on
- Con:Fit may be tricky for some ears
- Con:Premium price point
- Con:Limited codec support (SBC, AAC only)
Sony Linkbuds S
The Sony LinkBuds S are compact true wireless earbuds that prioritize comfort and versatility, featuring hybrid active noise cancellation and a transparency mode. With support for high-quality LDAC streaming, multipoint Bluetooth, and a lightweight IPX4-rated design, they offer a balanced feature set for everyday use, though battery life is modest, especially with ANC engaged.
- Pro:Excellent comfort and lightweight fit (4.8g per bud)
- Pro:Strong hybrid ANC with effective transparency mode
- Pro:Supports high-resolution LDAC and multipoint connectivity
- Con:Battery life is short with ANC on (6 hours)
- Con:No wireless charging support
- Con:Small 5mm driver limits bass depth and dynamics
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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