Sony WF-1000XM6: WF-1000XM6/B · black · in-ear
Apple AirPods (3rd generation): AirPods (3rd generation) launched in 2021 with the MagSafe Charging Case; from 2022 a version with the Lightning Charging Case was also sold. The earbuds are the same with either case. AirPods 4, AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro are separate models.
| Specification | Sony WF-1000XM6 | Apple AirPods (3rd generation) |
|---|---|---|
| Release year | 2026 | 2021 |
| Announcement / sales year | 12 February 2026 / 2026 Sony | — |
| Noise control | Adaptive ANC and ambient sound Sony | — |
| Processors | QN3e and Integrated Processor V2 Sony | — |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC; LC3 over LE Audio Sony | — |
| AAC / SBC battery | Up to 8 hours with ANC; 12 hours without Sony | — |
| LDAC battery | Up to 5 hours with ANC; 8 hours without Sony | — |
| LC3 battery | Up to 7 hours with ANC; 11 hours without Sony | — |
| Battery conditions | EQ, DSEE Extreme and speech detection can shorten runtime Sony | — |
| Quick charge | About 1 hour of music from 5 minutes Sony | — |
| Full charge | Earbuds approximately 1.5 hours; case 2 hours Sony | — |
| Weight | Approximately 6.5 g per earbud; 47 g case Sony | — |
| Wireless charging | Qi-compatible case Sony | — |
| Multiple connections | Two-device multipoint Sony | — |
| Gaming audio | GMAP over LE Audio Sony | — |
| Tips | Four sizes of noise-isolation tips Sony | — |
| App | Sony Sound Connect; 10-band EQ Sony | — |
| Operating temperature | 0–40 °C Sony | — |
| Design and fit | — | Open-fit in-ear design without silicone tips; short stem Apple |
| Audio technology | — | Custom high-excursion Apple driver; custom high dynamic range amplifier; Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ Apple |
| Chip and connectivity | — | H1 headphone chip; Bluetooth 5.0 Apple |
| Sensors and microphones | — | Dual beamforming microphones, inward-facing microphone, skin-detect sensor, motion and speech-detecting accelerometers, force sensor Apple |
| Controls | — | Press the stem once to play/pause or answer a call; twice to skip forward or end a call; three times to skip back; press and hold for Siri Apple |
| Battery | — | Up to 6 hours of listening per charge (5 hours with Personalised Spatial Audio on); up to 30 hours with the case; 5 minutes in the case ≈ 1 hour of listening Apple |
| Charging case | — | MagSafe Charging Case (MagSafe, Qi and Lightning) or Lightning Charging Case Apple |
| Sweat and water resistance | — | IPX4: earbuds and charging case Apple |
| Size and weight | — | Earbud (each): 30.79 × 18.26 × 19.21 mm, 4.28 g; case: 46.40 × 54.40 × 21.38 mm, 37.91 g Apple |