Beats Solo 4 vs Sony LinkBuds S
The Verdict
Both headphones deliver excellent value at $199, but serve different needs. Beats Solo 4 excels with an extraordinary 50-hour battery life and lossless audio via wired connection, making them ideal for extended travel and audiophiles preferring wired fidelity. However, they lack active noise cancellation and weigh 217g, limiting portability. Sony LinkBuds S prioritizes mobility with feather-light 4.8g buds, genuine ANC, LDAC hi-res wireless support, and multipoint connectivity,though battery lasts only 6 hours per charge (20 total with case). Sound quality favors Sony's advanced codecs and processor, while Beats compensate through raw driver performance and lossless potential. Choose Beats for stationary listening and marathon battery needs; select Sony LinkBuds S for active users demanding ANC, wireless convenience, and premium codec support.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Beats Solo 4 if…
- →50-hour battery life is the longest in any Beats product
- →Works equally well with both iOS and Android — no ecosystem lock-in
- →Lossless audio via USB-C is a first for Beats on-ear headphones
Buy the Sony LinkBuds S if…
- →Extremely compact and lightweight — barely noticeable when worn
- →LDAC hi-res audio support at a sub-$200 price
- →Solid ANC performance for such a small form factor
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Beats Solo 4
Pros
- 50-hour battery life is the longest in any Beats product
- Works equally well with both iOS and Android — no ecosystem lock-in
- Lossless audio via USB-C is a first for Beats on-ear headphones
- Lighter and more comfortable than Solo 3 at 217 g
- Spatial Audio with head tracking for immersive music
Cons
- No active noise cancellation — odd for $199 in 2024
- On-ear design causes pressure fatigue after extended wear
- AAC/SBC only via Bluetooth — no LDAC or aptX
- Sound leans bass-heavy, which won't suit all genres
Sony LinkBuds S
Pros
- Extremely compact and lightweight — barely noticeable when worn
- LDAC hi-res audio support at a sub-$200 price
- Solid ANC performance for such a small form factor
- Multipoint Bluetooth and Bluetooth LE Audio support
- Speak-to-Chat and Adaptive Sound Control are genuinely useful
Cons
- Smaller driver means less bass depth than larger rivals
- ANC is good but not as powerful as Sony WH-1000XM5 or WF-1000XM5
- IPX4 only — not suitable for heavy sweat or rain
- Small ear tips may not seal well for all ear shapes
Full Specifications
| Spec | Beats Solo 4 | Sony LinkBuds S |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | ||
| Type | on-ear | in-ear |
| Weight | 217 g | 4.8 g (per bud) |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 50 hrs | 6 hrs buds (ANC on), 14 hrs additional with case |
| Charging | USB-C, 10-min Fast Fuel for 5 hrs | USB-C, Qi wireless |
| Drivers | 40 mm transducer with custom acoustic platform | 5 mm dynamic driver |
| Features | Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking, Lossless audio via USB-C or 3.5mm cable, Apple and Android Find My support, One-touch pairing with both iOS and Android, Class 1 Bluetooth for extended range, Up to 50 hours of battery life | LDAC hi-res wireless audio, Integrated Processor V1 + QN1e chip, Adaptive Sound Control, Speak-to-Chat, Multipoint Bluetooth pairing, Smallest and lightest Sony ANC earbuds, Bluetooth LE Audio (LC3) |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wired option | ||
| Codecs | AAC, SBC | LDAC, LC3, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Multipoint | ||
| Water Resistance | None | IPX4 (buds) |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in headphones, see all Beats products or all Sony products. View full details for the Beats Solo 4 or the Sony LinkBuds S.