Home Wireless Earbuds Apple Airpods Pro (2Nd Gen) Vs. Sony Wf 1000Xm4

A Review By Comparison of the Apple Airpods Pro (2Nd Gen) Vs. Sony Wf 1000Xm4

Last updated on Mar 14, 2023   7 min read
Note: This page may contain affiliate links, we only earn from qualifying purchases!
Sony WF 1000XM4

Sony WF 1000XM4

See price on Amazon

Reasons why you might like the Sony WF 1000XM4

Overall Score 6.6 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IPX4
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 8 hours
  • Has Usb Type-C
  • Number Of Microphones of 4 only
  • Has Ambient Sound Mode
VS
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

See price on Amazon

Reasons why you might like the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Overall Score 5.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IPX4
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 6 hours
  • Has Ambient Sound Mode

A breakdown of the review per specifications

Design

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

Sony WF 1000XM4 IPX4
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) IPX4

Ingress protection ratings is the rating of protection given by a casing, against solids and water. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating means protection against solids say dust, followed by the one that refers to protection against liquids (water).

Scoring IPX4, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s rating for solids indicates that no data available to specify a protection rating, and the second number of 4 means that they can withstand low pressure spray similar to that of a shower head when tilted at 180° for 10 minutes.

Compared 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

Weight

Sony WF 1000XM4 41g
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 10.6g

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a weight of 10.6g . We prefer a lower weight best for the reason that lighter devices are easier to transport.

The Sony WF 1000XM4, at 41g are heavier than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) by of 30.4g

Has No Wires Or Cables

Sony WF 1000XM4
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

True wireless devices have no cables linking any part of the device together, Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are true wireless for this matter since they don't have wires. This is a key difference as some wireless earbuds have wires linking the pair of earbuds together.

Sony WF 1000XM4 also is true wireless since it has no wires connecting the pair of earbuds .

Sweat Resistance

Sony WF 1000XM4
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have sweat resistance

Sony WF 1000XM4's resistance to sweat makes both devices fit for use during long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , etc

Has Stereo Speakers

Sony WF 1000XM4
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.

Both Sony WF 1000XM4 and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have stereo speakers

Sony WF 1000XM4
See price on Amazon

Sound Quality

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)

Sony WF 1000XM4
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

ANC makes use of more advanced technology to actively cancel noise. How it works, it listens to the sound pattern of incoming noise and then inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) and adding -1 (counter sound by the device) to make zero thus "diluting" the noise.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have Active Noise Cancellation allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, good for your ears as you don't need to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background noise.

Sony WF 1000XM4 too have ANC which makes both earbuds ideal for plane rides and morning travels. Each work with different noise cancellation types, pick the setting that suits your travel or that suites your chill time.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

Sony WF 1000XM4
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) sit tightly in place, this creates a sound covering that tones down background noise well as preventing the device music from leaking out .

Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which means that they tone down ambient noise instead of actively using ANC to cancel it out.

Driver Unit Size

Sony WF 1000XM4 6mm
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

The Sony WF 1000XM4 have a unit size of 6mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass. The driver unit is the component that makes sound in the device, its size dictates the sound produced by the earbuds.

Lowest Frequency

Sony WF 1000XM4 20Hz
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 20Hz

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well a particular audio device generates low audible frequencies and if it alters the signal on its way through.

Sony WF 1000XM4's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that both devices make sound with equal bass

Highest Frequency

Sony WF 1000XM4 40000Hz
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 20000Hz

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20000Hz, high-frequency response tells how well an audio device generates high audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through.

Sony WF 1000XM4's highest frequency is at 40000Hz, this means that Sony WF 1000XM4 can generate a clearer and crispier treble than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Has A Neodymium Magnet

Sony WF 1000XM4
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

The Sony WF 1000XM4 have neodymium magnets, if used in earbuds produce a higher sensitivity and substantial sound output while using less power. They can help produce music at quite a high SPL, using high magnetic flux.

Power

Battery Life

Sony WF 1000XM4 8hours
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 6hours

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s battery life is 6 hours, a device's battery life is usually given by the manufacturer, and with more battery hours, 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 . Every time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less listening time. The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to.

Battery Life Of Charging Case

Sony WF 1000XM4 16hours
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 24hours

The battery life of the charging case is given by the vendor, and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s case has a charge of 24 hours. A charging case with more battery hours enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go several 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

Charge Time

Sony WF 1000XM4 1.5hours
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

It requires 1.5 hours to fully charge the Sony WF 1000XM4's battery. It is highly adivsable to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds for the first time.

Has Wireless Charging

Sony WF 1000XM4
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the device, you simply put down on a supported charging pad.

Sony WF 1000XM4 also support wireless charging, take note of the charging standard of the earbuds.

Has A Battery Level Indicator

Sony WF 1000XM4
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the device has a low battery. Its lights show the charging state of your device and charging case.

Sony WF 1000XM4 too have a battery level indicator, these enable you to tell the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or having a low battery.

Sony WF 1000XM4
See price on Amazon

Connectivity

Has Usb Type-C

Sony WF 1000XM4
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

The Sony WF 1000XM4 use USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable.

Bluetooth Version

Sony WF 1000XM4 v5.2
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) v5.3

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5.3, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in range, 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.

Maximum Bluetooth Range

Sony WF 1000XM4
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 10meters

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a 10meters distance to connect via Bluetooth.

Has Aac

Sony WF 1000XM4
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. Because 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 fine with your iPad. 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.

Has Ldac

Sony WF 1000XM4
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

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 can reach a high bitrate of 990kbps, which provides high-resolution audio.

Microphone

Number Of Microphones

Sony WF 1000XM4 4only
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Sony WF 1000XM4 have 4 microphones.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

Sony WF 1000XM4
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are designed to reduce noise from the desired sound.

The Sony WF 1000XM4 too have a noise-canceling microphone. Especially useful in noisy environments.

Sony WF 1000XM4
See price on Amazon

Extras

Has Ambient Sound Mode

Sony WF 1000XM4
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient sound so that they can still be heard even while wearing the earbuds

The Sony WF 1000XM4 support ambient sound mode as well, helpful when you want to listen to music while being aware of what’s happening around you, say you’re having a run but still want to be able to hear traffic.

Has In/On-Ear Detection

Sony WF 1000XM4
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when removed from your ears so that the music is paused.

The Sony WF 1000XM4 support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears improving your listening experience.

Has Find Earbuds Feature

Sony WF 1000XM4
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

When lost in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support the find earbuds feature.

The Sony WF 1000XM4 also have the find earbuds feature. You can use the earbuds app on your phone to play a sound from your earbuds to help you locate them.

Supports Fast Charging

Sony WF 1000XM4
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support fast charging. Commonly, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to reduce the time it takes to fully charge a device.

The Sony WF 1000XM4 support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, only that the battery is filling up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in 30 minutes.

Multipoint Count

Sony WF 1000XM4 1only
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Sony WF 1000XM4 support multipoint of 1 connections, this feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. For example, you can switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect.

Has A Mute Function

Sony WF 1000XM4
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a mute function, they have the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds.

The Sony WF 1000XM4 also have this function. It means that you unilaterally turn off the earbuds' microphone, but you can still hear the other party's voice.

Control Panel Placed On A Device

Sony WF 1000XM4
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the device.

Sony WF 1000XM4 too have a control panel on them.

Has Voice Prompts

Sony WF 1000XM4
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

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.

Sony WF 1000XM4 also support voice prompts meaning the device notifies you when the battery is low, and it's time to recharge them.

Travel Bag Is Included

Sony WF 1000XM4
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) come with a special case. Carrying earbuds without a case, or putting them inside your pockets without a cover may easily damage them.

Sony WF 1000XM4 also have a travel bag included, which is useful for safe transportation.

Related Reviews