Sony WH-1000XM6: WH series · Over-ear
Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C): AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C); 2023 version. The 2022 Lightning-case version has the same earbuds but a different case; AirPods Pro 3 is a separate model.
| Specification | Sony WH-1000XM6 | Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) |
|---|---|---|
| Release year | 2025 | 2023 |
| Driver | 30 mm Sony | — |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 Sony | — |
| Bluetooth profiles | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP; TMAP, GMAP, PBP for LE Audio Sony | — |
| Codec | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 Sony | — |
| Frequency response | Wired and on: 4–40,000 Hz; LDAC 96 kHz: 20–40,000 Hz Sony | — |
| Impedance / sensitivity | Wired, on: 48 Ω, 103 dB/mW; off: 16 Ω, 102 dB/mW Sony | — |
| Rated battery life | Music: up to 30 hours with ANC, 40 hours without ANC Sony | — |
| Rated talk time | Up to 24 hours with ANC, 28 hours without ANC Sony | — |
| Charging | About 3.5 hours; 9 V / 2.3 A with a USB Power Delivery adapter Sony | — |
| Connections | Bluetooth; 3.5 mm audio; USB-C charging Sony | — |
| Weight | Approximately 254 g Sony | — |
| Gaming audio | GMAP support · firmware 3.1.5 Sony | — |
| LE Audio requirement | LC3; Low latency mode in Sound Connect Sony | — |
| Water protection | Not waterproof Sony | — |
| Earlier software fix | 2.1.0: recording/playback in some iPhone apps and missing call audio Sony | — |
| Chip | — | Apple H2 in the earbuds; Apple U1 in the case Apple |
| Sound and noise control | — | Custom high-excursion Apple driver and amplifier; Active Noise Cancellation; Adaptive Audio; Transparency mode; Conversation Awareness; Voice Isolation Apple |
| Spatial audio and EQ | — | Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ; vent system for pressure equalisation Apple |
| Hearing health | — | Hearing Test; Loud Sound Reduction Apple |
| Microphones and sensors | — | Dual beamforming microphones and an inward-facing microphone; skin-detect sensor; motion- and speech-detecting accelerometers; touch control Apple |
| Controls | — | Press once: play/pause, calls; twice: skip forward; three times: skip back; press and hold: switch modes; swipe: volume Apple |
| Battery life | — | Up to 6 hours per charge with ANC (5.5 hours with Spatial Audio); up to 30 hours total with the case; about 1 hour from 5 minutes of charging Apple |
| Case charging | — | MagSafe charger, Apple Watch charger, Qi-certified chargers or USB-C Apple |
| Durability | — | Earbuds and case rated IP54 for dust, sweat and water Apple |
| Connectivity | — | Bluetooth 5.3 Apple |
| Size and weight | — | Earbud 30.9 × 21.8 × 24.0 mm, 5.3 g; case 45.2 × 60.6 × 21.7 mm, 50.8 g Apple |
| Ear tips | — | Silicone; XS, S, M, L Apple |