Sony WF-1000XM6: WF-1000XM6/B · black · in-ear
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.
| Specification | Sony WF-1000XM6 | Apple AirPods 4 (Active Noise Cancellation) |
|---|---|---|
| Release year | 2026 | 2024 |
| Announcement / sales year | 12 February 2026 / 2026 Sony | — |
| Noise control | Adaptive ANC and ambient sound Sony | Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness Apple |
| Processors | QN3e and Integrated Processor V2 Sony | — |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC; LC3 over LE Audio Sony | — |
| AAC / SBC battery | Up to 8 hours with ANC; 12 hours without Sony | — |
| LDAC battery | Up to 5 hours with ANC; 8 hours without Sony | — |
| LC3 battery | Up to 7 hours with ANC; 11 hours without Sony | — |
| Battery conditions | EQ, DSEE Extreme and speech detection can shorten runtime Sony | — |
| Quick charge | About 1 hour of music from 5 minutes Sony | — |
| Full charge | Earbuds approximately 1.5 hours; case 2 hours Sony | — |
| Weight | Approximately 6.5 g per earbud; 47 g case Sony | — |
| Wireless charging | Qi-compatible case Sony | — |
| Multiple connections | Two-device multipoint Sony | — |
| Gaming audio | GMAP over LE Audio Sony | — |
| Tips | Four sizes of noise-isolation tips Sony | — |
| App | Sony Sound Connect; 10-band EQ Sony | — |
| Operating temperature | 0–40 °C Sony | — |
| Chip | — | Apple H2 headphone chip 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 |