AirPods Pro (2022) VS Sony WF-1000XM4: specs, differences and price

The second-generation AirPods Pro, released in late 2022, are Apple’s best fully wireless Bluetooth headphones for their powerful active noise cancellation and sound quality. But these aren’t the only TWS headphones on the market to consider. The Sony WF-1000XM4 is its direct competitor and also shines with its functionality, sound and design. Which should you buy? We put them face to face to compare them.

Features AirPods Pro (2022) VS Sony WF-1000XM4

• Design: We start with the physical appearance. The second generation of AirPods Pro inherits the design of the first, so we are not going to find appreciable changes in the headphones (although they do incorporate volume controls, which we will discuss later), although yes in the box, because it incorporates a speaker and the possibility of adding a cord on the side for better transport, place a carabiner to hang it on the backpack, etc. Sony’s headphones also stand out for their elegant and striking design, more button-shaped than Apple’s proposal and its characteristic “stick”.

• sound technology: The AirPods Pro (2022) are going to get the most out of their use with Apple devices, as they feature spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, which provides a more immersive experience. They also have active noise cancellation and an ambient sound mode, as well as adaptive equalization. The Sony WF-1000XM4 also features ANC, ambient and adaptive sound, but also offers Hi-Res Audiothe Speak to Chat feature (a feature that allows the headphones to mute the music or what is playing when it detects that we are talking, with the aim of better picking up the voice of the person we are talking to), as well than 24-bit DACs+ASP.

• Sensors: Sony does not provide much information in this section, beyond the three microphones and the position detection, which makes the headphones stop or resume playing music depending on whether we wear them or not. However, Apple comments on its three microphones, skin sensor, accelerometer with motion detection, accelerometer with voice detection and touch controls.

• Chip: Apple released a new chip with the AirPods Pro (2022), the H2, an element that improves active noise cancellation and connection stability. The charging case incorporates the U1 chip, as it integrates with the Apple Search network so that it can be located if lost. The Sonys integrate processor V1to provide better quality noise cancellation while reducing power consumption so as not to have such a negative impact on the battery.

• controls: The Sony WF-1000XM4 incorporates touch controls to switch between songs or sound modes, but they also have integration with voice assistants such as Alexa or Google to interact with content, make calls, etc. The second-generation AirPods Pro are pressure-controlled, and as a novelty that’s volume control by sliding a small touchpad. They are also compatible with “Hey Siri”, ideal for making calls, searching for a specific song in Apple Music, etc.

• Autonomy: The AirPods Pro (2022) have also improved battery life, now achieving up to six hours of playback (5.5 hours with spatial audio active) and up to 30 hours with the case. The Sony promises up to eight hours of playtime per charge and up to 24 hours with the case. Both headphones offer fast charging.

• Connectivity and compatibility: the connection of the AirPods Pro of second generation with the devices of Apple is practically instantaneous thanks to the H2 chip and to the Bluetooth 5.3, you can also connect to Android or PC devices, pero se pierden muchas characteristics y la experience no es tan good. The Sony WF-1000XM4s are more universal, as they can be used well on iOS and Android, Windows and macOS. In fact, they offer Google Fast Pair to make the connection experience with Android smartphones and tablets similar to iOS, Swift Pair for Windows 10/11 computers, and multipoint connectivity so you can use them on two devices at the same time. .

• Price: and we end with one of the points that usually has more weight. The price of headphones is very similar, with an official difference of 20 dollarsbut the Sony WF-1000XM4 have been on the market for longer, about a year, and for this reason it is much easier to find them on sale, sometimes with discounts of more than 100 dollars, which makes them very attractive.

AirPods Pro (2022) VS Sony WF-1000XM4, which one to buy?

We are facing two of the best proposals on the market for totally wireless Bluetooth headphones. The AirPods Pro (2022) are the best in the Apple catalog, and the Sony WF-1000M4, the best from the Japanese brand. Both stand out for their active noise cancellation and sound quality. But you have to mention the “buts” and go further.

The AirPods Pro (2022) only unleash their full potential with Apple devices. So if you have gadgets running non-Apple operating systems, you’re not going to enjoy some great features like spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. If you are immersed in the Apple ecosystem, this is the most recommended option.

If you have an iPhone, Android tablet, Windows computer, etc., the Sony WF-1000XM4 will suit your needs better. Because they have many connection technologies, such as Google Fast Pair and Swift Pair, and they do not have restricted functionality if not used with a specific operating system. Not to mention the price, because by carrying more time at a time, they can be found on sale more often and at powerful discounts.

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