Sony WF 1000XM4
See price on AmazonOverall Score 8.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
See price on AmazonOverall Score 7.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | Sony WF 1000XM4 | Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
weight | 7.1g | 10.6g | |
has no wires or cables | ✓ | ✓ | |
sweat resistance | ✓ | ✓ | |
has stereo speakers | ✓ | ✓ | |
SOUND QUALITY | has active noise cancellation (noise control) | ✓ | ✓ |
has passive noise reduction | ✓ | ✓ | |
driver unit size | 6mm | 11mm | |
lowest frequency | 20Hz | 20Hz | |
highest frequency | 40,000Hz | 20,000Hz | |
sound pressure level | 105dB/mW | ✗ | |
POWER | battery life | 8hours | 6hours |
battery life of charging case | 16hours | 24hours | |
charge time | 1.5hours | 1hours | |
has wireless charging | ✓ | ✓ | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✓ | ✗ |
bluetooth version | v5.2 | v5.3 | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 10meters | |
has aac | ✓ | ✓ | |
has ldac | ✓ | ✗ | |
has aptx hd | ✓ | ✗ | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | 4only | 6only |
has a noise-canceling microphone | ✓ | ✓ | |
EXTRAS | has ambient sound mode | ✓ | ✓ |
has in/on-ear detection | ✓ | ✓ | |
has find earbuds feature | ✓ | ✓ | |
supports fast charging | ✓ | ✓ | |
multipoint count | 2only | 2only | |
has a mute function | ✓ | ✓ | |
control panel placed on a device | ✓ | ✓ | |
has voice prompts | ✓ | ✓ | |
travel bag is included | ✓ | ✓ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
IP ratings is the level of protection offered by an enclosure, against dust and water. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating represents protection against solids such as dust, followed by the one that refers to protection against liquids (sweat).
Scoring IPX4, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s rating for solids indicates that no data available to specify a protection rating, and of liquids that they can withstand low pressure spray similar to that of a shower head when tilted at 180° for 10 minutes.
In comparison to the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), Sony WF 1000XM4 have a rating of IPX4 meaning that
we are not yet certain of their rating with solids (dust)
and that of liquids is that,
they both have the same rating against liquids
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a weight of 10.6g . We take in account a lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to move with.
The Sony WF 1000XM4, at 7.1g
weigh less than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) with a difference -3.5g
True wireless devices have no wires linking any part of the device together, Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are true wireless for this case since they don't have wires. This is a major difference since wireless earbuds have cables linking the pair of earbuds together.
Sony WF 1000XM4 also is true wireless because it has no wires linking the two earbuds .
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have sweat resistance
Sony WF 1000XM4's resistance to sweat makes both devices ideal for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , etc
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have stereo speakers, what this means is that Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 also have stereo speakers
ANC makes use of advanced technology to reduce unwanted ambient sounds. How it works, it listens to the sound pattern of incoming noise and then inverts the soundwaves to counter it. In simple terms, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) then producing -1 (counter sound by the device) to make zero which results in a reduced level of noise.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have ANC allowing you to listen at lower levels of volume, good for your ears since you don't need to crank up the device volume to outcompete background sounds.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 too have ANC which makes either of the devices ideal for plane rides and morning commutes. Each operate with different noise cancellation settings, pick the noise cancellation type that suits your commute or that suites your relaxation time.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) stay tightly in place, creating a sound seal that reduces background noise and also prevents the earbuds voice audio from leaking out .
Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which means that both tone down ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) driver unit is 11mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass.
The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that produces sound in the earbuds, the unit size determines the loudness of the earbuds.
Sony WF 1000XM4 driver unit is 6mm in diameter,
which means that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) by 5mm
, as many tend to believe that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers find it difficult to produce high frequencies so yeah, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not mean that they deliver better quality sound.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well an audio component generates low frequencies that can be heard, and if it alters the signal while at it.
Sony WF 1000XM4's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that
both devices can produce equal bass
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well an audio component generates high recognizable frequencies and if it adjustments to the signal while at it.
Sony WF 1000XM4's highest frequency is at 40,000Hz, this implies that
Sony WF 1000XM4 can generate a clearer and crispier treble than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
SPL, is the level of pressure of sound, measured in decibels, dB, Sony WF 1000XM4's measurement is 105dB/mW. Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s battery life is 6 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average for a single charge. A device's battery life is commonly given by the manufacturer, and with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often.
Sony WF 1000XM4's battery life is
more than that of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) by 2 hours
. Each time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less listening time. The effect is not noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to.
The battery life of the charging case is given by the vendor, and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s case is said to have a full charge of 24 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go multiple times before having to recharge the case itself.
Sony WF 1000XM4's charging case has a battery life of 16 hours,
less than that of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) by 8 hours
It takes 1 hours to fully charge the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s battery. It is highly adivsable to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds when they have been in storage for long periods.
Sony WF 1000XM4 takes 1.5 hours to fully charge the battery,
more than that of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) by 0.5 hours
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the device, you simply put down on a compatible charging pad.
Sony WF 1000XM4 also support wireless charging, take note of the charging standard of a device.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the earbuds has a low battery. Its lights indicate the charging status of your device and case.
Sony WF 1000XM4 too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you tell the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or the battery is running low.
Sony WF 1000XM4 support USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5.3, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data transfers between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.
Sony WF 1000XM4 has a Bluetooth version of 5.2,
older than that of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
. Newer versions provide faster data transfers.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a 10meters distance to connect via Bluetooth.
Sony WF 1000XM4 have a maximum range of 10meters,
equal to that of the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support AAC, a codec used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Since it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it provides better results than other codecs at the same bit rate.
Being the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) will work well with your iPhone. If you are planning on using these with Android , ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 support AAC as well. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves higher sound quality than MP3 encoders at the same bit rate.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 support LDAC, a codec developed by Sony which allows streaming high-resolution audio over Bluetooth connections at up to 990 kbps at 32 bit/96 kHz. It is capable of a very high bitrate of 990kbps, providing high-resolution audio.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 support APTX HD, an audio codec for Bluetooth devices that are developed by Qualcomm. It supports high-quality 24-bit audio (at a bit rate of 576kbps).
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have 6 microphones.
Sony WF 1000XM4 microphones are 4,
less than that of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) by 2
. More microphones record better sound quality and help the device to filter out background sounds.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are intended to reduce noise from the earbuds' sound.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 too have a noise-canceling microphone. This is useful in noisy areas.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient noises to still be heard even while wearing the earbuds
The Sony WF 1000XM4 support ambient sound mode as well, it’s useful when you want to listen to music but also be aware of your surrounding, say you’re having a run but would still want to be able to hear traffic.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when they are removed from your ears .
Sony WF 1000XM4 too support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears improving your listening experience.
If misplaced in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a find earbuds feature.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 too have the find earbuds feature. Simply use the device app on your phone to play an alarm from your device to locate them.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support fast charging. Usually, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to lower the time it takes to charge the earbuds.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 too support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, only that the battery fills up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in just 30 minutes.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. Say, you can seemlessly switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 have a multipoint count of 2,
equal to that of the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
. Bluetooth multipoint is useful because you can be on one call and not miss notifications from another device.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a mute function, they have the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 too support this function. The mute function means that you can turn off the device's microphone, but still hear the other party's voice.
With the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 also have a control panel on them.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information through audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 also have voice prompts meaning the device will notify you when the battery is low, and it's time to recharge them.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) come with a special pouch. Carrying earbuds without a case, or placing them inside your bag without a casing can easily damage them.
Sony WF 1000XM4 too have a travel bag included, which is useful for safe transportation.