Home Wireless Earbuds Sony Wf 1000Xm3 Vs. Apple Airpods Pro (2Nd Gen)

A Review By Comparison of the Sony Wf 1000Xm3 Vs. Apple Airpods Pro (2Nd Gen)

Last updated on Mar 14, 2023   7 min read
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Sony WF 1000XM3

Sony WF 1000XM3

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Reasons why you might like the Sony WF 1000XM3

Overall Score 6.6 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • 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)

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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 1000XM3
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) IPX4

Ingress protection ratings refer to the rating of protection offered by an enclosure, against dust and liquids. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value means protection against solids say dust, followed by the one that refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).

Having a value of 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.

Weight

Sony WF 1000XM3 17g
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 10.6g

Sony WF 1000XM3 have a weight of 17g . We prefer a lower weight best for the reason that lighter devices are more comfortable to move with.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), at 10.6g weigh less than the Sony WF 1000XM3 with a difference -6.4g

Has No Wires Or Cables

Sony WF 1000XM3
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

For a device to be true wireless it should have no cables connecting any part of the device together, Sony WF 1000XM3 are true wireless for this matter since they have no cables. This is a major distinction since wireless earbuds have cables linking the pair of earbuds together.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also is true wireless since it has no cables linking the two earbuds .

Wingtips Included

Sony WF 1000XM3
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Sony WF 1000XM3 have wingtips, these are reserved for workout earbuds and come as an optional add-on to the separate silicone ear tip for a better fit.

Sweat Resistance

Sony WF 1000XM3
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are resistant to sweat

Has An Earbud Foam

Sony WF 1000XM3
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

The earbud foam is designed to be ultracompact and lightweight, with almost no interference with earrings, spectacles, hats, or hairstyles. The Sony WF 1000XM3 have an earbud foam to some it is more comfortable than the in-ear foam.

Has Stereo Speakers

Sony WF 1000XM3
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Sony WF 1000XM3 have stereo speakers, what this means is that Sony WF 1000XM3's speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.

Both Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) and Sony WF 1000XM3 have stereo speakers

Sony WF 1000XM3
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Sound Quality

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)

Sony WF 1000XM3
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

ANC uses advanced kind of tech to actively cancel noise. ANC works when, it studies the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and generates a mirror signal to counter it. In simple terms, it's like taking +1 (noise) and adding -1 (counter sound by the device) to make zero hence "diluting" the noise.

Sony WF 1000XM3 have Active Noise Cancellation allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, good for your ears since you don't have to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background noise.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too have ANC making both earbuds ideal for flights and morning commutes. Each work with different noise cancellation modes, pick the noise cancellation type that you prefer for commute or that suites your chill time.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

Sony WF 1000XM3
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Sony WF 1000XM3 sit well in place, creating an acoustic seal that reduces your environment noise while preventing the earbuds music from leaking out at the same.

Both Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), and Sony WF 1000XM3 have passive noise reduction which implies that they reduce ambient noise instead of actively using ANC to cancel it out.

Driver Unit Size

Sony WF 1000XM3 6mm
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

The Sony WF 1000XM3 driver unit is 6mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, and can produce better bass. The driver unit is the component that makes sound in the earbuds, the unit size dictates the sound made by the device.

Lowest Frequency

Sony WF 1000XM3 20Hz
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 20Hz

The Sony WF 1000XM3's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well an audio device produces low frequencies that can be heard, and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that both devices make sound with equal bass

Highest Frequency

Sony WF 1000XM3 20000Hz
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 20000Hz

Sony WF 1000XM3's highest frequency is at 20000Hz, high-frequency response tells how well an audio device makes high recognizable frequencies and if it makes any adjustments to the signal on its way through.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20000Hz, this means that both devices produce equal treble

Has A Neodymium Magnet

Sony WF 1000XM3
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Sony WF 1000XM3 have neodymium magnets, when used in earbuds produce a higher sensitivity and substantial sound output using less power to do so. They can help generate music at quite a high SPL, with the use of high magnetic flux.

Power

Battery Life

Sony WF 1000XM3 8hours
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 6hours

The Sony WF 1000XM3's battery life is 8 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.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s battery life is less than that of Sony WF 1000XM3 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 time, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to.

Battery Life Of Charging Case

Sony WF 1000XM3 24hours
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 24hours

The battery life of the charging case is given by the vendor, and Sony WF 1000XM3's case is said to have a charge of 24 hours. A charging case with more battery hours allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go several times before having to recharge the case itself.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s charging case has a battery life of 24 hours, equal to that of the Sony WF 1000XM3

Charge Time

Sony WF 1000XM3 3.5hours
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

It takes 3.5 hours to fully charge the Sony WF 1000XM3's battery. It is highly adivsable to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds when they have been unused for long periods.

Has Wireless Charging

Sony WF 1000XM3
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the earbuds, you simply place down on a compatible charging pad.

Has A Battery Level Indicator

Sony WF 1000XM3
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Sony WF 1000XM3 have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the earbuds has a low battery. The battery indicator lights display the charging status of your device and charging case.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you tell the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or having a low battery.

Sony WF 1000XM3
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Connectivity

Has Usb Type-C

Sony WF 1000XM3
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

The Sony WF 1000XM3 support USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable.

Bluetooth Version

Sony WF 1000XM3 v5
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) v5.3

The Sony WF 1000XM3 have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data transfers between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) has a Bluetooth version of 5.3, newer than that of Sony WF 1000XM3 . Newer versions provide faster data transfers.

Maximum Bluetooth Range

Sony WF 1000XM3 10meters
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 10meters

Sony WF 1000XM3 have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the Sony WF 1000XM3

Has Aac

Sony WF 1000XM3
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Sony WF 1000XM3 support AAC, a codec that is used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Since it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it can provide better results than other codecs at a similar bit rate.

Being the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Sony WF 1000XM3 will work well with your MacBook. If you are planning on using these with Android , ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 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.

Supports Bluetooth Pairing Using Nfc

Sony WF 1000XM3
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

The Sony WF 1000XM3 support fast Bluetooth pairing using NFC so it can communicate with other devices over Bluetooth. You can fastly pair devices without entering a code by simply holding one device next to the device with which it is to be paired.

Microphone

Number Of Microphones

Sony WF 1000XM3 4only
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Sony WF 1000XM3 have 4 microphones.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

Sony WF 1000XM3
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

The Sony WF 1000XM3 use a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are designed to filter out noise from the earbuds' sound.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too have a noise-canceling microphone. Especially useful in noisy environments.

Sony WF 1000XM3
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Extras

Has Ambient Sound Mode

Sony WF 1000XM3
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Sony WF 1000XM3 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient noises to still be heard even while wearing them

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support ambient sound mode as well, it’s useful when you want to listen to music but also be aware of what’s happening around you, say you’re having a run but still want to hear traffic.

Has In/On-Ear Detection

Sony WF 1000XM3
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

The Sony WF 1000XM3 support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when removed from your ears .

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 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 1000XM3
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

When lost in a room, or can't be found in your bag, the Sony WF 1000XM3 support the find earbuds feature.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too have the find earbuds feature. You can use the earbuds app on your phone to play an alarm from your device to find them.

Supports Fast Charging

Sony WF 1000XM3
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Sony WF 1000XM3 support fast charging. Most often, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the time it takes to charge the earbuds.

Also the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, only that the battery is filling up much faster. For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in 30 minutes.

Has A Mute Function

Sony WF 1000XM3
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Sony WF 1000XM3 have a mute function, they support the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also support the mute function. It means that you can turn off the device's microphone, but you can still hear the other party talk.

Control Panel Placed On A Device

Sony WF 1000XM3
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

With the Sony WF 1000XM3, so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the earbuds.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also have a control panel on them.

Warranty Period

Sony WF 1000XM3 2Years
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

The Sony WF 1000XM3 have a warranty period of 2 Years, the period of time that warrant free repair and adjustment services in case of a malfunction occurring under normal use that has followed instruction manuals.

Has Voice Prompts

Sony WF 1000XM3
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Sony WF 1000XM3 have voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information via audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also support voice prompts meaning the device notifies you if the battery is running low, and you need to recharge the earbuds.

Travel Bag Is Included

Sony WF 1000XM3
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

The Sony WF 1000XM3 come with their own special case. Carrying earbuds openly, or putting them inside your bag without a casing can easily put them at risk of getting damaged.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also have a case included, which is useful for safe transportation.

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