Sony LinkBuds Fit (WF-LS910N) / Apple AirPods (3rd generation)

Sony LinkBuds Fit (WF-LS910N): LinkBuds Fit WF-LS910N in-ear true wireless earbuds; black, white, green and pink. The open-design LinkBuds Open (WF-L910) and the older LinkBuds S (WF-LS900N) are separate models.

Apple AirPods (3rd generation): AirPods (3rd generation) launched in 2021 with the MagSafe Charging Case; from 2022 a version with the Lightning Charging Case was also sold. The earbuds are the same with either case. AirPods 4, AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro are separate models.

SpecificationSony LinkBuds Fit (WF-LS910N)Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
Release year20242021
Driver and frequency8.4 mm driver; closed type; 20–20,000 Hz over Bluetooth (44.1 kHz), 20–40,000 Hz with LDAC (96 kHz, 990 kbps) Sony—
Noise cancellingActive noise cancelling; Personal NC Optimiser; Ambient Sound Mode and Auto Ambient Sound

Personal NC Optimiser tunes cancellation to the ear shape and how the buds are worn. Auto Ambient Sound changes how much outside sound is let in depending on the surroundings.

Sony
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Bluetooth and codecsBluetooth 5.3; SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3; A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP, TMAP, CSIP, MCP, VCP, CCP

LC3 and profiles such as TMAP/CSIP are for Bluetooth LE Audio, enabling lower-power audio on compatible phones. LDAC is used on Android for high-bitrate streaming; iPhones use AAC.

Sony
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Multipoint and processingMultipoint connection (two devices); DSEE Extreme

DSEE Extreme tries to restore high-frequency detail lost in compressed music files.

Sony
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BatteryEarbuds: up to 5.5 hours of music with ANC on and 8 hours off; up to 4 hours of calls; earbud charge about 2 hours, case charge about 3 hours (USB) SonyUp to 6 hours of listening per charge (5 hours with Personalised Spatial Audio on); up to 30 hours with the case; 5 minutes in the case ≈ 1 hour of listening Apple
FitNewly designed Fitting Supporters and ear tips

The soft supporter fin rests against the ear’s ridge to help keep the bud in place while moving.

Sony
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Weight and durabilityAbout 4.9 g each (with M tips); case about 41 g, 47.2 × 47.2 × 32.6 mm; IPX4

IPX4 means resistance to splashing water from any direction; it is not for submersion or swimming.

Sony
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Design and fit—Open-fit in-ear design without silicone tips; short stem

Because the earbud does not seal the canal, ambient sound is heard; fit depends on ear shape and there are no interchangeable tips.

Apple
Audio technology—Custom high-excursion Apple driver; custom high dynamic range amplifier; Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ

Adaptive EQ measures what is heard in the ear with the inward-facing microphone and adjusts the tuning to the fit in real time. Head tracking anchors sound to the Apple device’s screen. There is no active noise cancellation or transparency mode.

Apple
Chip and connectivity—H1 headphone chip; Bluetooth 5.0

Automatic device switching, “Hey Siri” and one-tap pairing work with Apple devices.

Apple
Sensors and microphones—Dual beamforming microphones, inward-facing microphone, skin-detect sensor, motion and speech-detecting accelerometers, force sensor

The skin-detect sensor pauses playback when an earbud is removed.

Apple
Controls—Press the stem once to play/pause or answer a call; twice to skip forward or end a call; three times to skip back; press and hold for Siri

There is no on-bud volume control.

Apple
Charging case—MagSafe Charging Case (MagSafe, Qi and Lightning) or Lightning Charging Case

The included cable is Lightning to USB-C; there is no adapter.

Apple
Sweat and water resistance—IPX4: earbuds and charging case

IPX4 protects against splashes; it is not for submersion.

Apple
Size and weight—Earbud (each): 30.79 × 18.26 × 19.21 mm, 4.28 g; case: 46.40 × 54.40 × 21.38 mm, 37.91 g Apple