Apple - AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) vs Sony - LinkBuds Open
Between the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) and LinkBuds Open, the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) comes out ahead in battery — with case and active noise cancellation, while the LinkBuds Open wins on battery — buds and multipoint. Overall, the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) scores 64.5 and the LinkBuds Open scores 69.5 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The LinkBuds Open edges ahead on the Mars Score (64.5 vs 69.5), but the 5.0-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.
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.
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.
Both ship with comparable driver size, spatial audio, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the LinkBuds Open is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
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; AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) does not.
Which has ANC, AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) or LinkBuds Open?+
AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) has ANC; LinkBuds Open does not.
Spec-level deep dives
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