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Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) vs Sony ULT WEAR (WH-ULT900N)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleAirPods Max (USB-C)SonyULT WEAR (WH-ULT900N)
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2024April 2024
Sound
TypeOver-earOver-ear
Noise cancellingYesYes
Transparency modeYesYes
Driver size–40 mm
Spatial audio with head trackingYes–
Bluetooth codecsSBC and AACSBC, AAC and LDAC
Lossless over USB-CYesNo
ChipH1V1
DriversApple-designed dynamic driver40 mm dome-type driver designed for the ULT POWER SOUND series, neodymium magnet; 5 Hz to 20,000 Hz (wired, switched on); sensitivity 110 dB/mW switched on, 100 dB/mW switched off; impedance 314 Ω switched on, 32 Ω switched off (1 kHz, wired)
ChipH1 in each ear cupIntegrated Processor V1
Noise cancelling detailActive Noise Cancellation and Transparency modeDual Noise Sensor technology, with external noise-cancelling microphones on both ear cups; Ambient Sound Mode; Quick Attention Mode
Audio featuresPersonalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ; Lossless Audio and ultra-low latency audio via USB-C; analogue sources need Apple's USB-C to 3.5 mm Audio Cable, sold separatelyULT button (ULT1 for deep bass, ULT2 for more powerful bass, or off); LDAC (Hi-Res Audio Wireless); DSEE upscaling; 360 Reality Audio; equaliser in the app
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)Up to 20 hoursUp to 30 hours
Battery life detailUp to 20 hours of movie playback with ANC and Spatial Audio on; storing them in the Smart Case puts them in an ultra-low-power stateUp to 50 hours with noise cancelling off (AAC or SBC); with LDAC, 25 hours with noise cancelling on or 40 hours off; talk time up to 30 hours (40 hours with noise cancelling off); up to 30 hours on the headphone cable with noise cancelling on (50 hours off); the ULT bass effect, DSEE and the equaliser shorten battery life; can't be used while charging
Fast charging5 minutes of charging gives around 1.5 hours of listening3 minutes gives about 90 minutes of playback, 10 minutes about 5 hours; full charge in about 3.5 hours (0.5 A or higher USB adaptor)
Design
Weight386.2 g255 g
Bluetooth5.05.2
Two devices at once–Yes
Headphone cableYesYes
ControlsDigital Crown (turn for volume; press once to play, pause or answer a call; twice to end a call or skip forward; three times to skip back; press and hold for Siri); noise control button to switch between ANC and Transparency; “Hey Siri”Touch sensor control panel on the right ear cup (double-tap to play, pause or answer calls; swipe forwards or backwards to skip; swipe up or down for volume; hold for the voice assistant; cover with your hand for Quick Attention Mode); power, NC/AMB and ULT buttons on the left ear cup; a proximity sensor in the left unit pauses music when the headphones are taken off
MicrophonesNine microphones in total, eight for Active Noise Cancellation and three for voice pickup (two shared with ANC)External noise-cancelling microphones on both ear cups; call microphone on the left ear cup; electret condenser, omnidirectional
Fit and ear tips–Closed, over-ear; soft earpads; folds up for the supplied carrying case
Water resistance detail–No water resistance rating
Case weight134.5 g (Smart Case)–
Works withFull features with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV and Apple Vision Pro on the latest software; works as Bluetooth headphones with other devices, with limited featuresSony | Sound Connect app (formerly Headphones Connect) for iOS and Android; multipoint connection to two devices (AAC or SBC only while connected to two); Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa; Bluetooth 5.2 Class 1, about 10 m range; A2DP, AVRCP, HFP and HSP
ColoursMidnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, OrangeBlack, Forest Grey, Off White
In the boxAirPods Max, Smart Case, USB-C Charge Cable, documentationHeadphones, USB-C cable (USB-A to USB-C), headphone cable (about 1.2 m, gold-plated L-shaped stereo mini plug), carrying case, documents

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