Apple AirPods 4 / Sony ULT WEAR (WH-ULT900N)

Apple AirPods 4: AirPods 4 (2024), the basic model without active noise cancellation; USB‑C charging case. The same-design AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation 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.

SpecificationApple AirPods 4Sony ULT WEAR (WH-ULT900N)
Release year20242024
TypeOpen-fit (no silicone tips) wireless earbuds; USB‑C charging case

This is the basic AirPods 4 without active noise cancellation. The identical-looking “AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation” is a separate product.

Apple		—
Audio technologyCustom high‑excursion Apple driver, custom high dynamic range amplifier; Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ

Adaptive EQ tunes the sound to the fit in the ear. Spatial Audio needs supported content; the personal profile is created with an iPhone that has a TrueDepth camera.

Apple		—
Noise controlVent system for pressure equalisation; active noise cancellation only on the separately sold ANC model

At launch Apple offered two distinct models: AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. This model has an open design that does not seal the ear canal.

Apple		—
ChipH2 headphone chip

H2 enables Voice Isolation, Siri Interactions with head gestures and Personalised Spatial Audio.

Apple		—
Microphones and sensorsDual beamforming microphones, inward‑facing microphone, optical in‑ear sensor, motion- and speech-detecting accelerometers, force sensor

The speech-detecting accelerometer helps detect when you are speaking; the optical sensor resumes playback when the bud is put in.

Apple		—
ControlsPress the stem: once to play/pause or answer, twice to skip forward or end a call, three times to skip back, press and hold for Siri; “Siri” voice activation; nod or shake your head to answer calls

Apple’s control list does not include volume adjustment on the stem.

Apple		—
DurabilityIP54 dust, sweat and water resistance (earbuds and case)

According to Apple this is for non-water sports and exercise; resistance is not permanent and may decrease with wear. Do not charge when wet.

Apple		—
BatteryUp to 5 hours listening per charge; up to 30 hours total with the case; 5 minutes in the case ≈ 1 hour listening

Apple measured these figures at 50% volume with Spatial Audio off.

Apple		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
ChargingCharging case with USB‑C port; USB‑C cable sold separately

Apple says the case is more than 10 percent smaller in volume than its predecessor. Charging with an Apple Watch charger or Qi-certified charger is specific to the ANC model.

Apple		—
ConnectivityBluetooth 5.3

It works as a Bluetooth headset with Android and other devices, but Apple says functions may be limited. Full features require current iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS or tvOS.

Apple		—
Size and weightEarbud: 30.2 × 18.3 × 18.1 mm, 4.3 g; case: 46.2 × 50.1 × 21.2 mm, 32.3 g Apple—
AccessibilityLive Listen, headphone levels, Headphone Accommodations Apple—
Noise cancelling—Digital active noise cancelling with Integrated Processor V1 and Dual Noise Sensor; Ambient Sound mode

Two mics on each cup sample outside noise and the processor generates an inverse signal; Ambient Sound mode lets you hear announcements and speech without removing the headphones.

Sony
Driver and ULT button—40 mm dome-type closed dynamic driver with neodymium magnet; ULT button for bass-heavy sound mode

The ULT button switches to a strong bass setting with one press; the app equaliser can tune the sound further.

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

LDAC carries audio at a higher bitrate from Android devices; iPhones do not support LDAC and use AAC.

Sony
Multipoint and sensor—Two Bluetooth devices at once; wear sensor (pauses music when removed)

You can switch between a phone and a computer without re-pairing.

Sony
Wired use—Detachable single-sided cable of about 1.2 m, gold-plated L-shaped 3.5 mm plug; passive operation supported

When the battery is flat you can keep listening over the cable; audio over USB-C is not listed.

Sony
Microphone and processing—Electret condenser, omnidirectional microphone; DSEE

DSEE tries to restore high frequencies lost in compressed music.

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

The serial number is printed inside the left hanger; Sony provides affected ranges and a checker per colour. The crack can cause the housing to detach. Ranges listed in Canada: Black 1000001–1164062, Off-White 2000001–2040144, Forest Gray 3000001–3026514.

Sony