Sony WF-C710N / Apple AirPods (3rd generation)

Sony WF-C710N: WF-C710N · Glass Blue (LZ); other colours share the same hardware

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.

SpecificationSony WF-C710NApple AirPods (3rd generation)
Release year20252021
TypeTrue wireless in-ear earbuds, active noise cancelling Sony—
Driver5 mm Sony—
Frequency response20–20,000 Hz (Bluetooth, 44.1 kHz sampling) Sony—
Battery (music)Up to 8.5 hours with noise cancelling on, up to 12 hours with it off

The figures are for one charge of the earbuds; total time with the case is not listed on Sony's page.

Sony		—
Battery (calls)Up to 4.5 hours (noise cancelling on or off) Sony—
Charging timeEarbuds about 1.5 hours; case about 3.5 hours over USB

Wireless charging is not listed for the case.

Sony		—
BluetoothBluetooth 5.3; 2.4 GHz, about 10 m effective range Sony—
CodecsSBC, AAC

There is no LDAC or aptX; AAC is a common codec that works well with iPhones and most Android phones.

Sony		—
ProfilesA2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP Sony—
MultipointMultipoint supported

The earbuds stay connected to two devices at once, so a phone call can be answered while listening on a computer.

Sony		—
Ambient soundAmbient Sound and Quick Attention modes; DSEE

Quick Attention lowers the music and lets outside sound in while a finger is held on the earbud. DSEE aims to restore high frequencies lost in compressed music.

Sony		—
Water resistanceIPX4

IPX4 protects against splashing water; the earbuds should not be submerged.

Sony		—
WeightAbout 5.2 g per earbud (with medium tips); case about 38 g Sony—
ColoursPink, blue (translucent Glass Blue), white, black Sony—
In the boxCharging case, hybrid silicone ear tips, reference guide, USB cable Sony—
Design and fit—Open-fit in-ear design without silicone tips; short stem

Because the earbud does not seal the canal, ambient sound is heard; fit depends on ear shape and there are no interchangeable tips.

Apple
Audio technology—Custom high-excursion Apple driver; custom high dynamic range amplifier; Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ

Adaptive EQ measures what is heard in the ear with the inward-facing microphone and adjusts the tuning to the fit in real time. Head tracking anchors sound to the Apple device’s screen. There is no active noise cancellation or transparency mode.

Apple
Chip and connectivity—H1 headphone chip; Bluetooth 5.0

Automatic device switching, “Hey Siri” and one-tap pairing work with Apple devices.

Apple
Sensors and microphones—Dual beamforming microphones, inward-facing microphone, skin-detect sensor, motion and speech-detecting accelerometers, force sensor

The skin-detect sensor pauses playback when an earbud is removed.

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

There is no on-bud volume control.

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

The included cable is Lightning to USB-C; there is no adapter.

Apple
Sweat and water resistance—IPX4: earbuds and charging case

IPX4 protects against splashes; it is not for submersion.

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