Sony LinkBuds are wireless earbuds with an unusual open air design

Sony has announced its newest audio wearable, the Sony LinkBuds, and they’re quite unusual.

Boasting an all-new form factor, the Sony LinkBuds don’t take the shape of a stem or bud design we commonly see with headphones and true wireless earbuds. With this device, the company adopts an open ring design that’s engineered to provide a true ‘always on’ experience. So instead of being placed inside the ear canal, the LinkBuds sit outside on the ear concha.

The earbuds are tiny, weighing in at just four grams. And the shape, according to Sony, has been designed using extensive ear data. It pairs via Bluetooth and supports Google Fast Pair as well.

Equipped with voice pickup technology, the LinkBuds are able to utilize Sony’s technology and library of over 500 million voice samples to intelligently suppress ambient noise for clear calls even in busy environments.

And despite no seal around the canal, Sony assures high-quality sound output. The LinkBuds supports 360 Reality Audio for added immersion and enhancement through DSEE.

Connecting to the app unlocks features like adaptive volume control that optimizes loudness based on the user’s location and environment. Additionally, the LinkBuds have a Speak-to-Chat feature that pauses the music when it senses the user talking.

For protection, it carries IPX4 water resistance. Sony says the LinkBuds can last up to 5.5 hours on a single charge but can extend up to 12 hours via its charging case.