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Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation) vs Sony WF-1000XM3

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleAirPods Pro (1st generation)SonyWF-1000XM3
Overview
ReleasedOctober 2019July 2019
Sound
TypeIn-earIn-ear
Noise cancellingYesYes
Transparency modeYesYes
Driver size–6 mm
Spatial audio with head trackingYes–
Bluetooth codecsSBC and AACSBC and AAC
Lossless over USB-CNo–
ChipH1HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1e
DriversCustom high-excursion Apple driver and high dynamic range amplifier6 mm dome drivers with CCAW voice coils and neodymium magnets; Bluetooth frequency response 20 Hz–20 kHz at 44.1 kHz sampling
Noise cancelling detailOutward- and inward-facing microphones; noise cancellation adjusts 200 times per second; pressure-equalising ventsDual Noise Sensor technology with feedforward and feedback microphones; Ambient Sound Mode, Quick Attention and Adaptive Sound Control
Audio featuresAdaptive EQ; Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking added after launch; Audio Sharing; AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs (What Hi-Fi?)QN1e combines 24-bit processing, a DAC and amplifier; DSEE HX upscales compressed audio, with a battery-life cost
Hearing healthConversation Boost, Live Listen, headphone levels and Headphone Accommodations–
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)Up to 4.5 hoursUp to 6 hours
With the case–Up to 24 hours
Wireless chargingYes–
Battery life detailUp to 5 hours with ANC and Transparency off; more than 24 hours of listening with case recharges (Apple's claim)With DSEE HX off, AAC playback is up to 6 hours with noise cancelling or 8 hours off; SBC is 5.5 hours on or 7.5 hours off. DSEE HX AUTO with noise cancelling is up to 3 hours. The maker claims 24 hours total with the case with noise cancelling, or 32 hours off.
Charging caseOriginal Wireless Charging Case supports Qi and Lightning; MagSafe Charging Case added in 2021 also supports MagSafeUSB-C charging; approximately 1.5 hours for the earbuds and 3.5 hours for the case
Fast chargingAround 1 hour of listening after 5 minutes in the case10 minutes gives about 90 minutes of playback
Design
Weight (each earbud)5.4 g8.5 g
Water and sweat resistanceIPX4–
Bluetooth5.05.0
Two devices at once–No
ControlsForce sensor for playback, calls and switching ANC/Transparency; “Hey Siri”; no stem volume adjustmentTouch panels for playback, calls and sound modes; app-configurable functions; wear detection pauses and resumes music; holding the left panel activates Quick Attention
MicrophonesDual beamforming and inward-facing microphones; dual optical sensors, motion- and speech-detecting accelerometersDual noise-sensing microphones also used for calls
Fit and ear tipsSilicone tips in S, M and L; Ear Tip Fit TestTri-hold structure with high-friction rubber; Long Hybrid silicone tips in SS, S, M and L, plus Triple-comfort tips in S, M and L
Case weight45.6 gApproximately 77 g
DimensionsEach earbud 30.9 × 21.8 × 24.0 mm; original case 45.2 × 60.6 × 21.7 mm (height × width × depth)–
Water resistance detailIPX4 earbuds; Wireless Charging Case and MagSafe Charging Case are not sweat or water resistantThe manual states that the unit is not waterproof
Works withApple devices with current iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS or tvOS; Bluetooth audio with older Apple software and non-Apple devices, with limited featuresBluetooth A2DP, AVRCP, HFP and HSP; NFC pairing through the case; one connected device at a time, without multipoint; the two earbuds receive audio simultaneously and either can be used alone
ColoursWhiteBlack, Platinum Silver
In the boxAirPods Pro, charging case, three sizes of silicone tips, Lightning to USB-C cable, documentationEarbuds, charging case, four sizes of Long Hybrid silicone tips, three sizes of Triple-comfort tips, approximately 20 cm USB-A to USB-C cable

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