Over the past two years we have seen nearly every consumer electronics manufacturer throw their hat in the wireless earphones ring as 3.5mm headphones continue to disappear from phones. For 2022, Sony has a new offering in the form of the LinkBuds.

If you have been following the announcements of the Japanese company, the LinkBuds were revealed in full this week, with some international sites already posting reviews.

The most notable element of this true wireless earphones is the ring design, which Sony says are created with the intention of allowing wearers to hear ambient sounds and what is happening around them.

The firm adds that the lightweight (8.2g for both buds) construction of the LinkBuds means they can be worn all day.

While we will need to get hands-on to attest to the claim, there is a decent amount of battery life on offer here, with 5.5 hours touted from a single full charge and the quick charge supporting charging case upping this to 17.5 hours of music playback.

If you are noticing the grey flecks on the LinkBuds, that’s because the earphones and charging case are made using recycled plastic, along with the packaging being plastic-free for those concerned with sustainability.

Other notable features include an IPX4 splash and sweat proof rating, along with 360 Reality Audio and support for Google Assistant and Alexa (depending on region). There is also a tap interface specifically designed to work with Spotify.

As for local availability and pricing, the Sony LinkBuds are expected to be available to purchase in South Africa come 24th April, with a recommended retail price of R3 999.