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Open-ear earbuds have become increasingly popular for people who want music and podcasts without disconnecting from the world around them. Sony takes a slightly different approach with the LinkBuds Clip, using a clip-style design that sits around the outer ear instead of sealing the ear canal. At Rs 24,990 in India at the time of writing, they are no longer quite as expensive as their launch price of Rs 18,990, but they still sit in premium territory. In the US, it is priced at $230.
The LinkBuds Clip come across as a well-executed pair of open earbuds with excellent awareness, strong calling performance, good battery life, and a comfortable design. However, their open construction also brings some unavoidable compromises, particularly with bass, noise isolation, and performance in loud environments. The bigger question is whether those compromises are acceptable at this price.
4Calls are one of the strongest features
The LinkBuds Clip perform particularly well for voice calls. Sony combines dual microphones, a bone-conduction sensor, and AI-assisted noise reduction to separate the wearer’s voice from surrounding noise.
In real-world use, this can make a substantial difference. Voices remain clear while traffic and other background sounds are heavily suppressed. This is especially useful for people who frequently take calls while walking or working outdoors.
There are still limitations. Wind and particularly loud noises can occasionally break through, and because the earbuds are open, the wearer can sometimes struggle to hear the other person in a noisy environment. Still, call quality is one of the most convincing reasons to consider the Clip.
