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Beats Studio Buds vs Sony WF-1000XM3

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

BeatsStudio BudsSonyWF-1000XM3
Overview
ReleasedJune 2021July 2019
Sound
TypeIn-earIn-ear
Noise cancellingYesYes
Transparency modeYesYes
Spatial audio with head trackingNo–
Driver size8.2 mm6 mm
Bluetooth codecsSBC and AACSBC and AAC
Chip–HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1e
DriversDual-element diaphragm driver and two-chamber acoustic design (Beats launch release reproduced by 9to5Mac)6 mm dome drivers with CCAW voice coils and neodymium magnets; Bluetooth frequency response 20 Hz–20 kHz at 44.1 kHz sampling
Noise cancelling detailActive Noise Cancelling and Transparency modeDual Noise Sensor technology with feedforward and feedback microphones; Ambient Sound Mode, Quick Attention and Adaptive Sound Control
Audio featuresDolby Atmos playback in Apple Music; no head tracking; Bluetooth 5.2 and SBC/AAC codecs (SoundGuys)QN1e combines 24-bit processing, a DAC and amplifier; DSEE HX upscales compressed audio, with a battery-life cost
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)Up to 5 hoursUp to 6 hours
With the caseUp to 15 hoursUp to 24 hours
Wireless chargingNo–
Battery life detailUp to 8 hours per charge and 24 hours including the case with noise cancelling off; up to 5 hours and 15 hours with it onWith 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 caseUSB-C; no wireless charging (SoundGuys and TechRadar)USB-C charging; approximately 1.5 hours for the earbuds and 3.5 hours for the case
Fast chargingA 5-minute Fast Fuel charge gives up to 1 hour of playback (Beats launch release)10 minutes gives about 90 minutes of playback
Design
Weight (each earbud)5.1 g8.5 g
Water and sweat resistanceIPX4–
Bluetooth5.25.0
Two devices at once–No
ControlsMulti-function button on each earbud for playback and calls; configurable press-and-hold controls; hands-free Siri on Apple devicesTouch panels for playback, calls and sound modes; app-configurable functions; wear detection pauses and resumes music; holding the left panel activates Quick Attention
MicrophonesTwo noise-cancelling microphones and one voice microphone per earbudDual noise-sensing microphones also used for calls
Fit and ear tipsSilicone ear tips in three sizes; no automatic ear detection (SoundGuys)Tri-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 weight–Approximately 77 g
Water resistance detailIPX4 for the earbuds; the case has no sweat or water resistanceThe manual states that the unit is not waterproof
Works withOne-touch pairing with Apple devices and Google Fast Pair on Android; Beats Android app for controls and updates; either earbud can be used independentlyBluetooth 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
ColoursBlack, White and Beats Red at launch (Beats release)Black, Platinum Silver
In the boxEarbuds, charging case, three sizes of silicone ear tips and USB-C cable (Beats launch release and SoundGuys); power adapter sold separatelyEarbuds, 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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