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 ULT WEAR (WH-ULT900N): WH-ULT900N (printed code YY2981) closed over-ear wireless headphones; Black, Off-White, Forest Gray. ULT FIELD speakers and the WH-1000X series are separate products.
| Specification | Apple AirPods 4 (Active Noise Cancellation) | Sony ULT WEAR (WH-ULT900N) |
|---|---|---|
| Release year | 2024 | 2024 |
| Chip | Apple H2 headphone chip Apple | — |
| Noise control | Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness Apple | — |
| Audio | Custom 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 sensors | Dual beamforming microphones and inward-facing microphone; Voice Isolation; optical in-ear sensor; motion- and speech-detecting accelerometers; force sensor Apple | — |
| Battery life | Earbuds: 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 case | Charges via USB-C, an Apple Watch charger or a Qi-certified charger; speaker for Find My Apple | — |
| Durability | IP54 dust, sweat and water resistance Apple | — |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 Apple | — |
| Size and weight | Earbud 30.2 × 18.3 × 18.1 mm, 4.3 g; case 46.2 × 50.1 × 21.2 mm, 34.7 g Apple | — |
| Noise cancelling | — | Digital active noise cancelling with Integrated Processor V1 and Dual Noise Sensor; Ambient Sound mode Sony |
| Driver and ULT button | — | 40 mm dome-type closed dynamic driver with neodymium magnet; ULT button for bass-heavy sound mode Sony |
| Frequency response | — | 5–20,000 Hz (JEITA, wired); 20–20,000 Hz over Bluetooth (44.1 kHz sampling) Sony |
| Bluetooth and codecs | — | Bluetooth 5.2; A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP; SBC, AAC, LDAC; about 10 m range Sony |
| Multipoint and sensor | — | Two Bluetooth devices at once; wear sensor (pauses music when removed) Sony |
| Battery | — | Music up to 30 hours ANC on, 50 hours off; calls up to 30 hours ANC on, 40 hours off; about 3.5 hours to charge over USB Sony |
| Wired use | — | Detachable single-sided cable of about 1.2 m, gold-plated L-shaped 3.5 mm plug; passive operation supported Sony |
| Microphone and processing | — | Electret condenser, omnidirectional microphone; DSEE Sony |
| Impedance and sensitivity | — | 314 Ω on, 32 Ω off (1 kHz); 110 dB/mW on, 100 dB/mW off (wired) Sony |
| Weight and colours | — | About 255 g; Black, Off-White, Forest Gray Sony |
| In the box | — | Connection cable, USB cable, reference guide, warranty card Sony |
| Service program | — | Free repair until 31 January 2027 for cracks in the rotating shaft between headband and housing on specific serial numbers Sony |