7 Things You Should Know
Sony LinkBuds Fit
The Sony LinkBuds series was first introduced with an open-ear design, appealing to runners and people who don’t want to be cut off from their surroundings. While that open-ear option still exists in the LinkBuds lineup, the Sony LinkBuds Fit are geared towards those who want a comfortable pair of earbuds that won’t fall out, even while jogging or exercising.
The LinkBuds Fit are meant for listeners who want fine-tuned music in their ears without ear fatigue. Sony fitted them with the same Integrated Processor V2 as their flagship WF-1000XM5.
But does that mean they deliver the same sound quality and ANC performance? Here are seven things you should know about the Sony LinkBuds Fit.
1. Comfortable Design
These earbuds are small, light, and designed for a secure and comfortable fit, even during exercise. For context, the latest Apple AirPods 4 earbuds weigh 4.3 grams each, while Sony’s no-stem design weighs 4.9 grams per earbud, which is light enough that you might forget you’re wearing them.
The Sony LinkBuds Fit use newly developed “Air Fitting Supporters” and soft ear tips to sit snugly in your ears. These supporters are essentially hooks, but instead of going around your ears, they sit inside them. They aren’t large or rigid enough to cause discomfort; you’ll hardly notice them. The new LinkBuds also offer IPX4 sweat resistance, so you don’t need to worry about gym sweat spoiling them.
2. Sony LinkBuds Fit Have An Unusual Case
The LinkBuds Fit have an unusual case, which looks better than most but is bigger than many competitors’. It is shaped like a squircle with two different finishes on the top (glossy) and bottom (matte). It seems like two cases sandwiched together, which makes it seem bigger than its footprint suggests. While it is on the larger side, Sony’s design, especially on the white color variant, looks classy.
3. Decent Sound Quality
While the original LinkBuds offered a more balanced sound signature, the Sony LinkBuds Fit lean towards a bass-forward profile, making them good for hip-hop and rock music. In terms of clarity, they aren’t as polished as the XM5s, but for their price, the performance is pretty good. You can always adjust the equalizer to your liking. However, vocals don’t sound as immersive as you might expect from Sony.
4. ANC and call quality
The Sony LinkBuds Fit are powered by the Integrated Processor V2, which is claimed to optimize “noise canceling in real time according to the user’s environment for optimal audio performance.” It’s the same chip as the one found in the Sony XM5 headphones, though the flagship model also includes an HD Noise Canceling Processor QN2e for better ANC and sound performance.
The LinkBuds Fit can block out loud noises such as vehicle engines and general ambient public noise – just don’t expect XM5-level performance. As for Ambient mode, it works well and doesn’t make people sound robotic during conversations. The LinkBuds Fit also deliver clear call quality with minimal background noise.
Sony LinkBuds Fit case open
5. Intuitive Controls
The Sony LinkBuds Fit have a Wide Tap Area, meaning you can control music playback without tapping directly on the earbuds. Instead, you tap around the temple area in front of your ears.
It takes a bit of getting used to, but it works about eight times out of ten. If your earbuds don’t detect your temple taps, you can adjust the sensitivity to High within the app. These earbuds also recognize head gestures, allowing you to answer or decline calls, or control music by nodding or shaking your head.
6. Fine battery life
The Sony LinkBuds Fit are rated to deliver 5.5 hours of battery life on a single charge, with up to 21 hours total battery backup with the case. Plus, a 5-minute quick charge can provide up to 60 minutes of playback time, which is handy for when you’re in a rush.
7. The Sony Goodness
The LinkBuds Fit offer a wide range of features you’d expect from Sony. These include Speak-to-Chat (music pauses when you speak), Multipoint connectivity (connect two devices simultaneously), wear detection (auto-pause when you remove the earbuds), and more. Plus, the Sony Headphones Connect app lets you personalize your sound and adjust tap controls to suit your preferences.
Sony LinkBuds Fit price
The Sony LinkBuds Fit are priced at INR 18,990 in India. They launched for $200 in the U.S. but are currently selling for around $170 on Amazon. They’re available across major online and offline retailers.