Sony WF-1000XM6 / Apple AirPods 4

Sony WF-1000XM6: WF-1000XM6/B · black · in-ear

Apple AirPods 4: AirPods 4 (2024), the basic model without active noise cancellation; USB‑C charging case. The same-design AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation and the AirPods Pro models are separate.

Specification	Sony WF-1000XM6	Apple AirPods 4
Release year	2026	2024
Announcement / sales year	12 February 2026 / 2026 Sony	—
Noise control	Adaptive ANC and ambient sound Sony	Vent system for pressure equalisation; active noise cancellation only on the separately sold ANC model At launch Apple offered two distinct models: AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. This model has an open design that does not seal the ear canal. Apple
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 These are manufacturer maximum figures. 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 With medium tips. Sony	—
Wireless charging	Qi-compatible case Sony	—
Multiple connections	Two-device multipoint Sony	—
Gaming audio	GMAP over LE Audio Requires a compatible phone and game; not a fixed latency guarantee. Sony	—
Tips	Four sizes of noise-isolation tips Sony	—
App	Sony Sound Connect; 10-band EQ Sony	—
Operating temperature	0–40 °C Sony	—
Type	—	Open-fit (no silicone tips) wireless earbuds; USB‑C charging case This is the basic AirPods 4 without active noise cancellation. The identical-looking “AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation” is a separate product. Apple
Audio technology	—	Custom high‑excursion Apple driver, custom high dynamic range amplifier; Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ Adaptive EQ tunes the sound to the fit in the ear. Spatial Audio needs supported content; the personal profile is created with an iPhone that has a TrueDepth camera. Apple
Chip	—	H2 headphone chip H2 enables Voice Isolation, Siri Interactions with head gestures and Personalised Spatial Audio. Apple
Microphones and sensors	—	Dual beamforming microphones, inward‑facing microphone, optical in‑ear sensor, motion- and speech-detecting accelerometers, force sensor The speech-detecting accelerometer helps detect when you are speaking; the optical sensor resumes playback when the bud is put in. Apple
Controls	—	Press the stem: once to play/pause or answer, twice to skip forward or end a call, three times to skip back, press and hold for Siri; “Siri” voice activation; nod or shake your head to answer calls Apple’s control list does not include volume adjustment on the stem. Apple
Durability	—	IP54 dust, sweat and water resistance (earbuds and case) According to Apple this is for non-water sports and exercise; resistance is not permanent and may decrease with wear. Do not charge when wet. Apple
Battery	—	Up to 5 hours listening per charge; up to 30 hours total with the case; 5 minutes in the case ≈ 1 hour listening Apple measured these figures at 50% volume with Spatial Audio off. Apple
Charging	—	Charging case with USB‑C port; USB‑C cable sold separately Apple says the case is more than 10 percent smaller in volume than its predecessor. Charging with an Apple Watch charger or Qi-certified charger is specific to the ANC model. Apple
Connectivity	—	Bluetooth 5.3 It works as a Bluetooth headset with Android and other devices, but Apple says functions may be limited. Full features require current iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS or tvOS. Apple
Size and weight	—	Earbud: 30.2 × 18.3 × 18.1 mm, 4.3 g; case: 46.2 × 50.1 × 21.2 mm, 32.3 g Apple
Accessibility	—	Live Listen, headphone levels, Headphone Accommodations Apple