Apple AirPods 4 / Sony WH-1000XM4

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.

Sony WH-1000XM4: WH-1000XM4 closed over-ear wireless headphones; Black, Platinum Silver and Blue. The WH-1000XM3 (previous) and WH-1000XM5 and XM6 (later) generations are separate models.

SpecificationApple AirPods 4Sony WH-1000XM4
Release year20242020
TypeOpen-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 technologyCustom 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		—
Noise controlVent 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		—
ChipH2 headphone chip

H2 enables Voice Isolation, Siri Interactions with head gestures and Personalised Spatial Audio.

Apple		—
Microphones and sensorsDual 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		—
ControlsPress 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		—
DurabilityIP54 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		—
BatteryUp 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		—
ChargingCharging 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		—
ConnectivityBluetooth 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 weightEarbud: 30.2 × 18.3 × 18.1 mm, 4.3 g; case: 46.2 × 50.1 × 21.2 mm, 32.3 g Apple—
AccessibilityLive Listen, headphone levels, Headphone Accommodations Apple—
Noise cancelling—HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1; two noise-sensing microphones per cup; adaptive sound control

QN1 works with a new Bluetooth audio chip to sample ambient noise many times a second and cancel it with an inverse signal.

Sony
Driver and frequency—40 mm dome-type driver (CCAW voice coil, aluminium-coated LCP diaphragm); wired 4–40,000 Hz; Bluetooth 20–20,000 Hz (44.1 kHz), with LDAC 20–40,000 Hz (96 kHz, 990 kbps) Sony
Bluetooth and codecs—Bluetooth 5.0; A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP; SBC, AAC, LDAC; about 10 m range

LDAC enables up to 990 kbps with compatible Android phones; iPhones use AAC.

Sony
Multipoint—Simultaneous connection to two Bluetooth devices with switching between them

For example, you can switch between a phone and a laptop without re-pairing.

Sony
Battery and charging—Up to 30 hours with NC on, 38 hours off; full charge in about 3 hours over USB-C; about 5 hours of playback from 10 minutes

The 5-hours-from-10-minutes figure is given with the optional AC adaptor.

Sony
Wired use—Detachable cable of about 1.2 m with OFC strands and gold-plated 3.5 mm plug Sony
Microphones—Five microphones for Precise Voice Pickup Sony
Smart features—Wear detection sensor; Speak-to-Chat; DSEE Extreme

The wear sensor pauses music when the headphones come off. Speak-to-Chat stops music and lets in ambient sound when you start talking. DSEE Extreme tries to upscale compressed files in real time with AI.

Sony
Design—Closed dynamic, circumaural; cups swivel inward to fold into the carry case Sony