Apple AirPods 4 (Active Noise Cancellation) / Sony LinkBuds Fit (WF-LS910N)

Apple AirPods 4 (Active Noise Cancellation): AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation; USB-C case with speaker and wireless charging. The AirPods 4 without ANC and the AirPods Pro models are separate.

Sony LinkBuds Fit (WF-LS910N): LinkBuds Fit WF-LS910N in-ear true wireless earbuds; black, white, green and pink. The open-design LinkBuds Open (WF-L910) and the older LinkBuds S (WF-LS900N) are separate models.

SpecificationApple AirPods 4 (Active Noise Cancellation)Sony LinkBuds Fit (WF-LS910N)
Release year20242024
ChipApple H2 headphone chip Apple—
Noise controlActive Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness

Without ear tips the ear canal is not sealed like with silicone-tip earbuds, so ANC mainly reduces low-frequency rumble. Adaptive Audio blends ANC and Transparency based on surrounding sound.

Apple		—
AudioCustom high-excursion Apple driver; high dynamic range amplifier; Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ; vent system for pressure equalisation Apple—
Microphones and sensorsDual beamforming microphones and inward-facing microphone; Voice Isolation; optical in-ear sensor; motion- and speech-detecting accelerometers; force sensor

The force sensor lets you press the stem to control playback, calls and listening modes.

Apple		—
Battery lifeEarbuds: 4 hours with ANC on, 5 hours with noise control off; with case: 20 hours with ANC on, 30 hours off; 5 minutes in the case ≈ 1 hour of listening Apple—
Charging caseCharges via USB-C, an Apple Watch charger or a Qi-certified charger; speaker for Find My

No USB-C cable is included. The speaker helps locate a lost case by sound.

Apple		—
DurabilityIP54 dust, sweat and water resistance

Not intended for water sports; resistance can decrease over time.

Apple		—
ConnectivityBluetooth 5.3

Works as standard Bluetooth earbuds with non-Apple devices; features such as automatic switching, Spatial Audio and Adaptive Audio need current Apple software.

Apple		—
Size and weightEarbud 30.2 × 18.3 × 18.1 mm, 4.3 g; case 46.2 × 50.1 × 21.2 mm, 34.7 g Apple—
Driver and frequency—8.4 mm driver; closed type; 20–20,000 Hz over Bluetooth (44.1 kHz), 20–40,000 Hz with LDAC (96 kHz, 990 kbps) Sony
Noise cancelling—Active noise cancelling; Personal NC Optimiser; Ambient Sound Mode and Auto Ambient Sound

Personal NC Optimiser tunes cancellation to the ear shape and how the buds are worn. Auto Ambient Sound changes how much outside sound is let in depending on the surroundings.

Sony
Bluetooth and codecs—Bluetooth 5.3; SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3; A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP, TMAP, CSIP, MCP, VCP, CCP

LC3 and profiles such as TMAP/CSIP are for Bluetooth LE Audio, enabling lower-power audio on compatible phones. LDAC is used on Android for high-bitrate streaming; iPhones use AAC.

Sony
Multipoint and processing—Multipoint connection (two devices); DSEE Extreme

DSEE Extreme tries to restore high-frequency detail lost in compressed music files.

Sony
Battery—Earbuds: up to 5.5 hours of music with ANC on and 8 hours off; up to 4 hours of calls; earbud charge about 2 hours, case charge about 3 hours (USB) Sony
Fit—Newly designed Fitting Supporters and ear tips

The soft supporter fin rests against the ear’s ridge to help keep the bud in place while moving.

Sony
Weight and durability—About 4.9 g each (with M tips); case about 41 g, 47.2 × 47.2 × 32.6 mm; IPX4

IPX4 means resistance to splashing water from any direction; it is not for submersion or swimming.

Sony