Sony and apple which is better

sony or apple which is better

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The Apple AirPods Pro is Apple’s response to the rise in noise canceling true wireless earbuds. The California-based company redesigned its famed earbuds to provide a more stable fit while retaining beloved features like hands-free Siri access and streamlined use among iOS devices. While it’s a great pick for iPhone users, we’re looking at how the AirPods Pro compares to Sony’s best true wireless earphones: the Sony WF-1000XM3 which have top-end noise canceling, a secure fit, and effective touch controls. Let’s find out which is better: the Apple AirPods Pro or the Sony WF-1000XM3.

apple airpods pro vs sony wf 1000xm4

Sony Or Apple Which Is Better

The redesigned AirPods Pro now have dedicated nozzles that insert into the ear, making for a more stable fit and improved audio quality.

Let’s start by judging each book by its cover; the AirPods Pro sport a signature Apple aesthetic, including clean lines, no buttons, and an all-white paint job. The Sony earbuds, on the other hand, take a more elegant approach with an all-black exterior and copper accents. Each unit is made of plastic from the earbuds to the cases, so material quality is about the same. However, the Apple AirPods Pro has an IPX4 rating and can officially withstand your sweat-filled workouts. Unfortunately, if the Sony WF-1000XM3 experiences water damage, you’re out of luck and unable to file for a replacement under the product warranty.

If you intend to workout with your noise canceling earbuds, get the AirPods Pro instead of the Sony WF-1000XM3.

Apple’s redesign of the AirPods means they now have dedicated nozzles that actually seal to the ear, the sole reason noise canceling functionality works with the AirPods Pro. The ear tips aren’t quite as angled as those found on the Sony earbuds, but Apple went above and beyond in engineering the attachment mechanism for its silicone sleeves. Rather than sliding each ear tip on top of a plastic nozzle, as you do with virtually all other earbuds, each AirPods Pro ‘bud has a divot encircling the nozzle. Here, you snap the silicone collar of each ear tip into the divot, which prevents it from accidentally sliding off.

Sony provides plenty of ear tips, ensuring you’ll find the proper fit.

While this is a nifty design, we appreciate Sony’s comprehensive array of provided ear tips which vary in size, density, and material. Apple takes a different approach by providing just the standard three ear tip sizes, which is fine for most, but some outliers may have trouble finding a comfortable and proper fit.

Onboard controls

Touch controls are customizable via Sony’s Headphone Connect app.

Both sets of earbuds support touch-sensitive controls, but operation is markedly different. The Apple AirPods Pro take a unique approach with their force-sensitive stems to register short and long squeezes. These can be remapped by opening your iPhone’s Bluetooth menu, selecting the “i” icon next to the Apple AirPods Pro, and following the subsequent prompts to customize functionality. Sony’s earbuds sport circular, glossy touch panels that require a myriad of tap combinations to control playback or toggle listening modes. These settings can also be remapped via the Sony | Headphones Connect app.

Both noise canceling units support automatic ear detection, facilitated by proximity sensors. Removing one earbud for either set automatically pauses playback, while reinserting it resumes playback. The key difference is how the AirPods Pro limit this to iOS devices, while the Sony WF-1000XM3 automatic ear detection works across platforms.

The AirPods Pro case supports wireless charging

Apple includes wireless charging capabilities by default with its AirPods Pro noise canceling true wireless earbuds.

If you’re a fan of wireless charging and already own a few Qi wireless charging mats, then you may be enticed by the wireless charging case included with the Apple AirPods Pro. Sony’s true wireless earbuds are constrained to USB-C charging. If you don’t care for wireless charging capabilities, then you’re limited to Lightning cables for the AirPods Pro. While this feature likely isn’t a make-or-break one for most consumers, it is a way for Apple to stand out from the crowd.

Build and fit is arguably the most subjective category, so you’re likely to feel differently than our conclusion today. While the Apple AirPod Pro has an IPX4 rating and includes a wireless charging case, we’re giving this to the Sony earbuds for their triple-contact point design, more natural on-board controls, and greater variety of ear tips.

Winner: Sony WF-1000XM3

Which headset is better for phone calls?

The Apple AirPods Pro have a fairly neutral frequency response which will make all parts of your voice come across equally loud when talking on the phone. The microphone does a great job at accurately recreating voices of all frequency ranges, so long as you’re in a quiet environment.

The Apple AirPods Pro has great microphone quality and runs circles around most of its competitors, thanks to an array of sensors and accelerometers stuffed within the housings. Voice reproduction follows a slightly more neutral frequency response than Sony’s earbuds, which bodes well for all vocal ranges. Beam-forming microphones work in tandem with a speech-detecting accelerometer works in tandem filter out ambient noise. This lets the AirPods Pro really hone in on your voice while transmitting it across cell towers.

Apple AirPods Pro microphone demo:

Sony WF-1000XM3 microphone demo:

Now, just because the AirPods Pro microphone system is premium, doesn’t preclude the Sony WF-1000XM3 array from being great, too. Quite the contrary, because Sony also does a great job with voice recording and transmission. However, it isn’t quite as effective at combating background noise, and it can sometimes suffer from the proximity effect among bassier users. You can hear it in the above samples; notice how Adam’s voice doesn’t boom, whereas mine does. Ultimately, both are better than a standard smartphone microphone—not to mention more convenient—but the Apple AirPods Pro microphone edges out Sony’s.

Editor’s note: Sony released firmware update 2.1.0 on January 13, 2020, which makes improvements to hands-free call quality. Previous firmware updates included Amazon Alexa support, on-board volume adjustments, connection quality improvements on iOS, and general stability improvements.

Winner: Apple AirPods Pro

Bluetooth codec support and connection quality

The AirPods Pro integrate Apple’s H1 chip for immediate pairing and autoconnect functionality, which is limited to iOS devices.

Both the Apple AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM3 earbuds support the AAC Bluetooth codec for high-quality streaming with iOS devices. This is supported by Android, but its performance is unpredictable to no fault of the codec. Rather, Android has yet to develop a universal way to stream over AAC as its an incredibly demanding wireless codec. To make up for the lack of aptX support in the Sony WF-1000XM3, Sony included a new QN1e chip and DSEE HX processing which work to facilitate 24-bit audio signal processing.

Android users don’t benefit from the AirPods Pro’s H1 chip, but all platforms benefit from Sony’s Q1ne chip and DSEE HX processing.

Alright, onto different matters: the Apple AirPods Pro integrates the company’s H1 chip, allowing for hands-free Siri access, snappy autoconnect and usage across iOS devices, and energy efficiency. These benefits aren’t afforded to Android users, however, we still reap the power-efficient perks of Bluetooth 5.0, no matter what device is selected. Also, with the release of iOS 14, the AirPods Pro now features automatic device switching between Apple devices using the same Apple ID.

Sony’s totally wireless earbuds feature DSEE HX processing and the Q1ne chip for high-quality audio transmission.

Since Apple’s ecosystem remains a well guarded one, the company can optimize and streamline how its proprietary devices communicate. This means iPhone users enjoy unparalleled connection stability with the Apple AirPods Pro. To Android users’ dismay, this isn’t the case when using AirPods with Android smartphones. Although the Sony WF-1000XM3’s wireless performance is responsive, it can’t beat using the AirPods Pro with an Apple iPhone.

Winner: Draw

The AirPods Pro have better battery life

This category is the most straightforward and easiest to measure. As with every product review, we subjected each set of truly wireless earbuds to a constant 75dB(SPL) output and compared the results. A single charge of the Apple AirPods Pro supplies 5.1125 hours of playback with noise canceling on, while the Sony WF-1000XM3 supplies just 4.76 hours of playback with noise canceling on. Granted, both durations are impressive given how small the batteries are and how taxing ANC technology is, but the AirPods are the clear winner when it comes to standalone battery life.

If you don’t have a Qi wireless charging mat, you’ll need to charge the AirPods Pro case via Lightning cable.

Apple’s charging case also provides more on-the-go battery life, totaling to 24 hours of combined playback. The Sony WF-1000XM3 charging case provides an additional three charge cycles, totaling to approximately 19 hours of listening before needing to top up. Both units support quick charging to varying degrees: the AirPods Pro allots one hour of playtime from five minutes in the case, while the Sony earbuds grant 1.5 hours of listening from 10 minutes in the case. Again, Apple edges Sony out when it comes to fast charging capabilities.

Winner: Apple AirPods Pro

The Sony WF-1000XM3 has better noise canceling

Although Apple made great improvements to the AirPods Pro design to create a cogent seal to the ear canal, they still can’t outperform the Sony WF-1000XM3. This makes sense as Sony’s WH-1000XM4 noise canceling headphones remain the best all-around pick for consumers. Apple has significantly improved the fit of the AirPods Pro over the originals, and when you pair that isolation with the built-in ANC you get pretty good noise cancelling throughout the range. The Sony WF-1000XM3 noise canceling is highly effective at attenuating low-frequency background noise.

In each chart above, the higher up the line, the more attenuated a certain frequency range is: when listening with the AirPods Pro, the noise canceling technology makes low-frequency noises about half as loud as they would be sans-ANC. High-frequency noises are made to be even quieter; you can cycle through listening modes (noise canceling, off, and transparency) by squeezing either earbud stem any number of times. Transparency mode is available on both sets of earbuds and lets you temporarily hear your surroundings. This is convenient when you need to hear your train stop.

The Sony ‘buds don’t offer any sweat-resistance, which may be an issue for anyone living in humid climates.

Juxtaposing the Sony and Apple noise canceling true wireless earbuds charts clearly illustrates that while both are excellent noise cancelers in general, the Sony blocks out more. It has even better passive isolation properties which bolster ANC performance, hence why the WF-1000XM3 earbuds can attenuate extremely low (sub-60Hz) noises so they’re ¼ as loud as they would be without ANC processing. The earbuds also quiet higher frequency sounds with greater effectiveness as depicted by the inclined line from 3kHz and up.

Regardless of which earbuds you end up going with, noise canceling technology will protect you from self-inflicted hearing loss. When using non-noise canceling earbuds, you’re more likely to increase the volume so as to hear your music better to drown out noise around you. They also serve as an effective productivity tool for anyone adjusting to a work from home schedule. ANC blocks out the sound of your roommates’ conference calls as well as outside foot traffic. No matter what, both Sony and Apple’s earphones may make it easier for you to concentrate.

Winner: Sony WF-1000XM3 (by a hair)

Sony 360 Reality Audio vs Apple Spatial Audio

Both the AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM3 feature their own take on 3D audio effects, with the goal of creating a more immersive listening experience.

The inner workings of Sony 360 Reality Audio and Apple Spatial Audio are essentially the same. They’re both object-based audio technologies with audio cues programmed in 3D space. This is different from traditional virtual surround sound, which mimics the illusion of 3D space by simply panning sounds between the left and right audio channels.

Sony 360 Reality Audio has been available on the WF-1000XM3 since its introduction, and is only compatible with premium music streaming services such as Tidal (HiFi subscription), Deezer, and nuggs.net. As of now, there aren’t any video streaming platforms that are compatible with the feature.

On the other hand, the AirPods Pro only received Spatial Audio very recently, with the release of iOS 14. The feature supports videos encoded for 5.1 and 7.1 audio, as well as Dolby Atmos, and works with a handful of apps including Apple TV+, Disney+, and HBO Max. Currently, there aren’t any music streaming services that work with Spatial Audio, though this may change in the near future.

Winner: Draw

Do the AirPods Pro or Sony WF-1000XM3 sound better?

While all the bells and whistles are valuable and appreciated, at the end of the day these are audio products. Neither option comes cheap, so you should rest assured that what you’re investing in is going to sound good to your ears. The AirPods Pro only give significant emphasis to some of the highs above 1100Hz, with most of the low end appearing close to 0dB save for a dip in the sub-50Hz range. Bass frequencies are slightly elevated with the Sony WF-1000XM3 earbuds.

Just like the noise canceling section, we have charts to break down objective data. The ones above illustrate the frequency responses of sets pairs of earbuds. The closer a line hugs the dotted 0dB SPL mark, the more accurate music reproduction sounds. Let’s look at the Sony earbuds first: bass frequencies are elevated most with some emphasis to midrange notes. This low-end boost is what gives your songs that extra oomph. It’s by no means neutral but this response, and the AirPods which we’ll see in a moment, plays well to popular music genres such as pop, hip-hop, and rap. If you’re into electronic music, you may want even more bass to your sound, in which case, this can be adjusted via the Sony | Headphones Connect app.

Okay, onto the Apple AirPods Pro which also emphasizes low frequencies, but not to the same degree as Sony’s earbuds. What’s more, upper midrange and treble frequencies receive a generous 10dB emphasis, making them twice as loud as your midrange frequencies (200-1500Hz).

The Apple AirPods Pro have indentations to indicate where the touch controls are located.

All of these numbers are hard to contextualize, so how this plays out in your music is that harmonic resonances from string instruments, for example, will sound approximately twice as loud as run-of-the-mill male and female vocals. This can make you notice certain detail in your music that went previously undetected but may be annoying to those looking for a more neutral sound.

On the whole, vocals sound really good with either headset. If you want a boomier sound, get the Sony earbuds and if you want more accurate vocals and to be able to perceive more detail from high notes, get the AirPods Pro. This comes down to personal preference, but our objective measurements award the Sony (9.5 sound quality rating) a higher score, giving them a slight 0.3 point edge over the AirPods (9.2 sound quality rating).

Winner: Sony WF-1000XM3

Apple AirPods vs. Sony WF-1000XM3: Which is the best pair of ANC earbuds?

The Sony WF-1000XM3 features a more elegant design than the AirPods Pro.

Unlike our Apple AirPods Pro vs. AirPods (2019) head-to-head, the winner isn’t mopping the floor with the runner up. Ultimately, it wholly depends on what you prioritize when picking out true wireless earbuds.

If you’re like me, you may prefer the look and design of the Sony earbuds to Apple’s. Plus, Sony’s earbuds are about $20 cheaper than the Apple AirPods Pro, so you could save a few bucks and get the new Popeyes chicken sandwich a few times over. Also, Android users don’t get the same connection strength benefits from the H1 chip as Android users do. So, if you don’t have an iPhone, the decision to get the Sony WF-1000XM3 is made even easier.Sony WF-1000XM3All prices listed in USD unless otherwise specified. Prices may change over time, and vary by region. Unfortunately, we cannot list Amazon prices on the site, as they vary greatly by currency.

In all fairness, if you’re already beholden to all things Apple, then the new AirPods Pro makes the most sense: the H1 chip makes it easy to swap between iOS devices, while AAC codec support allows for high-quality, lag-free audio streaming. No matter which pair you get, you’re bound to be happy as both sets of earbuds are among the best of the competition.Apple AirPods ProAll prices listed in USD unless otherwise specified. Prices may change over time, and vary by region. Unfortunately, we cannot list Amazon prices on the site, as they vary greatly by currency.

If neither headset scratched the itch, consider the Google Pixel Buds (2020)

There are two small LED lights that tell you the battery status of the earbuds and the charging case.

The Google Pixel Buds (2020) are among the smartest true wireless earphones available: these support direct voice access to Google Assistant, have a brilliant microphone system that rivals the Apple AirPods and AirPods Pro, and has the best charging case we’ve used yet. Google ensures water-resistance by way of the IPX4 rating, and onboard touch-gesture controls are easy to operate and understand. It’s curious how the Pixel Buds (2020) omit aptX support, instead supporting just AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs but this can be forgiven since the Pixel Buds aren’t billed as studio-oriented earphones.

airpods pro vs sony wh 1000xm4

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