Apple - AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) vs Sony - LinkBuds Open
Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) | Sony - LinkBuds Open |
|---|---|---|
| Battery — with case | 30 h | 22 h |
| Battery — buds | 6 h | 8 h |
| Active noise cancellation | true | false |
| Multipoint | false | true |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IPX4 |
| Weight per bud | 5.3 g | 5.1 g |
Between the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) and LinkBuds Open, the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) comes out ahead in battery — with case / active noise cancellation, while the LinkBuds Open wins on battery — buds / multipoint. Overall, the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) scores 74 and the LinkBuds Open scores 63.6 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 10.4 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) if audio quality and feature breadth (ANC, codecs, multipoint) are the lead criteria for your purchase. The biggest gaps in its favor are battery — with case, active noise cancellation, water resistance. The single most decisive one: Battery — with case — 36.36% more. 30 h vs 22 h.
Pick the LinkBuds Open if your top frustration with your current device is running out of charge before the day ends — endurance is the lead spec here. Its strongest claims are battery — buds, multipoint, weight per bud. The single most decisive one: Battery — buds — 33.33% more. 8 h vs 6 h.
Both ship with comparable driver size, spatial audio, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Which should you buy: Apple - AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) or Sony - LinkBuds Open?
Apple - AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) leads the current Mars Score by 10.4 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare battery — buds, weight per bud against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Apple - AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) if…
Apple - AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) has the measurable edge on battery life case h, has anc, ip rating.
Choose Sony - LinkBuds Open if…
Sony - LinkBuds Open has the measurable edge on battery life buds h, has multipoint, weight per bud g.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
Why Apple - AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) wins
- ▲Battery — with case — 36.36% more. 30 h vs 22 h.
- ▲Has Active noise cancellation.
- ▲Water resistance: IP54 (vs IPX4).
Why Sony - LinkBuds Open wins
- ▲Battery — buds — 33.33% more. 8 h vs 6 h.
- ▲Has Multipoint.
- ▲Weight per bud — 0.20 g less. 5.1 vs 5.3.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) | Sony - LinkBuds Open |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | in-ear | openlead |
| Weight per bud | 5.3 g | 5.1 glead |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP54lead | IPX4 |
Audio
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) | Sony - LinkBuds Open |
|---|---|---|
| Driver sizeⓘ | 11 mm | 11 mm |
| Active noise cancellationⓘ | truelead | false |
| Transparency mode | truelead | false |
| Spatial audioⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) | Sony - LinkBuds Open |
|---|---|---|
| Battery — buds | 6 h | 8 hlead |
| Battery — with case | 30 hlead | 22 h |
| Wireless case chargingⓘ | truelead | false |
Connectivity
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) | Sony - LinkBuds Open |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetoothⓘ | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Codecsⓘ | AAC,SBC | AAC,SBC |
| Multipointⓘ | false | truelead |
| In-ear detection | truelead | false |
Frequently asked
Which has longer battery, AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) or LinkBuds Open?+
LinkBuds Open lasts 8h per charge vs 6h.
Do AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) or LinkBuds Open support multipoint?+
LinkBuds Open supports multipoint pairing; AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) does not.
Which has ANC, AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) or LinkBuds Open?+
AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) has active noise cancellation; LinkBuds Open does not.