The choice of earbuds determines the listening experience. When it comes to various audio devices including earbuds, two of the best brands are Apple and Sony. Both these brands are reliable in terms of sound quality. In this guide, you will get a detailed comparison of the Apple AirPods Pro vs Sony WF 1000XM3.
Though the Airpods Pro earbuds make a better proposal for iPhone users, Sony WF 1000XM3 is compatible with a broad range of devices. Moreover, they are good deals for those users who are not restricted to the Apple ecosystem. With the newly launched WF 1000XM3, Sony intends to bring its noise cancellation power with a balanced audio performance to all users. On the other hand, with ease of use and seamless connectivity, Apple has made the AirPods Pro famous in its unique way notwithstanding entering the market later on.
At first glance, it may seem that both these pairs of earbuds are identical in various terms. However, they are unique in several aspects, which give users the choice of which one to pick according to their needs. Though the choice depends on your preferences, whichever is chosen, it will not prove your investment futile. Read the article further to know more.
Key Differences Between Apple AirPods Pro and Sony WF 1000XM3
Before going deep into the detailed comparison of AirPods Pro vs. Sony WF 1000XM3, the present section highlights the prominent differences between these earbuds:
- AirPods Pro delivers deep bass that feels immersive, whereas Sony WF1000XM3 delivers rich sound with clear details. At loud or maximum volume, the treble may not sound too sweet in AirPods Pro and that’s where WF 1000XM3 scores well.
- AirPods Pro is resistant to sweat and water, whereas such functionalities are not found in Sony WF1000XM3 despite they offering a secure fit. So, AirPods Pro earbuds are better for working out.
- The charging case of Sony earbuds is significantly bigger than that of AirPods Pro. So, it becomes more challenging to slip them into a pocket.
- With a wireless charging case, AirPods Pro conveys 24 hours of audio, whereas Sony WF1000XM3 earbuds don’t come with a wireless charging case.
- AirPods Pro conveys class-leading microphone quality for the phone calls, whereas such facility is not found in Sony WF1000XM3.
- Battery is more powerful in AirPods Pro than Sony WF1000XM3.
Apple AirPods Pro vs. Sony WF1000XM3 Wireless Earbuds – Comfort
Beginning with the AirPods Pro vs Sony WF1000XM3 in terms of comfort, Apple AirPods Pro never arouses any issues. The Pros are known to be the first AirPods to present a customizable fit with the availability of silicone tips in 3 sizes. The elongated form of the Sony WF1000XM3 gives slight discomfort to your ears. You have to adjust them properly, or else they would slip out slightly. When you tilt your head in either direction, the earbuds may fall out.
Notwithstanding their weird design and shape, these Apple earbuds comfortably rest on the concha. Consequently, they provide a secure, snug fit owing to the inclusion of tips. Moreover, they have developed a tight seal across the ear canal to keep the earbuds in place when moving at a fast speed. They are not recommended for a workout but usually, they are safer to wear while outdoors.
You can obtain the best tip size for optimal fit with Apple earbuds because they come with the built-in “Ear Tip Fit Test.” This test can be executed after the earbuds are in place. Though WF1000XM3 may not stay comfortably in your ears, a simple twist lets the buds lock in place. This trick may not always work. You can also look at the best replacement earbud tips.
Neither of these earbuds’ pair purposely aimed at sporty designs but AirPods Pro comes with an IPX4 rating. So, they are sweat-resistant and water-resistant. But Sony’s WF 1000XM3 does not come with such a rating. Both these pairs of earbuds come with chargers and varying-sized ear tips to perfectly fit in your ears.
Winner in Terms of Comfort: Apple AirPods Pro
View on Amazon: Apple AirPods Pro
Apple AirPods Pro vs Sony WF1000XM3 Wireless Earbuds – Design and Style
Both the WF 1000XM3 and AirPods Pro boast a minimal profile without any ostentatious elements.
If you prioritize compact and lightweight design then the Apple AirPods Pro is the best choice. Owing to the compact case and compact overall footprint, they are so much comfortable to wear. They perfectly fit in your ears with a secure grip that keeps them connected to ears during rigorous physical activities. Therefore, they prove to be a superb companion while cycling, running, and doing any other physical activity. Because of the stem, AirPods Pro can catch voice clearer than that of Sony’s earbuds.
Compared to AirPods Pro, the Sony WF1000XM3 earbuds are slightly larger and excessive. They are visible from the front. These earbuds cannot match your sports activities due to a lack of safe and snug fit.
Glancing at the design specifications, the AirPods Pro weighs 5.4 grams each, whereas the Sony WF1000XM3 earbuds weigh 8.5 grams each. The case of AirPods Pro weighs 45.6 grams, whereas WF 1000XM3’s case weighs 77 grams. This would not matter much to a regular user but it is still a benefit.
When it comes to appealing design with elegant looks, Sony WF1000XM3 surpasses AirPods Pro. They appear far better than Apple’s lustrous danglers. The circular touch panels and copper accents at the edge of each of Sony’s earbuds present a decent balance between contemporary and classy design. Moreover, the plastic casing is found to be solid. It perfectly secures the entire structure of the earbuds. When dropped accidentally on the ground, they will not break. The WF 1000XM3 earbuds are available in two colors, i.e. silver and black.
Apple made the charging case wider in AirPods Pro to nicely accommodate the new form of the buds. It is still compact and portable. Simultaneously, it does not provide protection. When dropped on the floor, the case might scuff up and direct the buds sliding everywhere. Moreover, when they get dropped, the lid would not shut down securely. AirPods Pro only comes in one color, i.e. white.
It is found that AirPods Pro appears identical to its predecessors. However, some modifications are made to their overall designs including black microphone vents, integrated ear tips, and smaller stems. When you look closely, you will find the sound ports longer than that in Sony WF1000XM3. This aspect enables the earbuds to effortlessly slide within your ears. Furthermore, Apple designed the buds from eco-friendly parts to make sure they are safe for human health.
The choice in terms of design relies on personal preference. It is up to you to choose a design with a main body and stem or go for a single body that contains everything from audio hardware to microphone and touch controls.
So, it can be said that the AirPods Pro earbuds are more compact than Sony WF1000XM3 but the latter comes with a durable, protective case.
Winner in Terms of Design and Style: Sony WF 1000XM3
View on Amazon: Sony WF1000XM3 Wireless Earbuds
Apple AirPods Pro vs Sony WF1000XM3 Wireless Earbuds – Sound Quality
This section on Apple AirPods Pro vs Sony WF 1000XM3 is a vital one to go through. Both these earbuds present satisfactory sound quality for normal usage. Beginning with Sony WF 1000XM3, you obtain a full and rich spatial audio listening experience via their 6 mm audio drives. These earbuds convey rich sound with clear details irrespective of the loudness being set to maximum.
They deliver extraordinary rhythmic quality and generate remarkable bass. On the other hand, the AirPods Pro earbuds are midrange earbuds where these buds shine, with plenty of detail and no clue of brightness. But treble may not sound so clearly at high volumes in AirPods Pro. Punch bass is not found in the sound output from AirPods Pro.
The balanced sound tuning with non-intrusive bass lets WF 1000XM3 surpass AirPods Pro in terms of overall audio quality. These Sony earbuds are suitable for a broad genre of music encompassing unplugged and pop albums. Furthermore, they come implemented with Adaptive Sound Control.
This feature automatically customizes the sound profile depending on location. Customization of the audio profiles gives some degree of flexibility to users. Therefore, the user will enjoy the listening experience better and without any hassles. There is a facility of in-ear detection via a built-in proximity sensor in WF-1000XM3. This detection functionality pauses the music the moment you remove the earbuds.
Though being older than the AirPods Pro, the Sony’s WF 1000XM3 earbuds assimilate all the ingredients necessary for creating magnificently spatial audio. The instruments will sound natural and expressive. Certainly, the WF 1000XM3 delivers outstanding audio output for the price.
Winner in Terms of Sound Quality: Sony WF 1000XM3
Apple AirPods Pro vs Sony WF 1000XM3 Wireless Earbuds – Noise Canceling
It is tricky to pick one among these two earbuds choices when it comes to noise cancelation. This is because both WF-1000XM3 and AirPods Pro are efficient at noise cancelation. Implementation of the cutting-edge noise-canceling technology makes sure the listening experience is awesome from both these pairs of earbuds.
When tested on a hectic road with shrill ambient noise levels, both these pairs of earbuds effectively blocked a decent amount of noise. However, some distractions were perceptible in the ears. This was not the situation while you are in malls and parks. Both these pairs of earbuds can filter ambient sound distractions.
The AirPods Pro is implemented with active noise cancelation, as well as passive noise isolation. Hence, the earphones efficiently filter out a considerable amount of external noise without leading to any discomfort. On the other hand, Sony WF 1000XM3 supports noise cancelation, which is not rigorous but well refined. These true wireless earbuds come with mode balanced sound and sound output feels clear, free from noise.
In Sony’s buds, the treble and mids are not the focus; however, they are also not fully neglected when bass dominates. On the other hand, Apple AirPods Pro buds come with more focus on treble and mids. They deliver effective bass in the output but the necessary thump is not as much.
Although, they perform well to deliver fine details whenever you listen to audio tracks, which are instrument-heavy. Moreover, the peak volume level is found higher in these Apple earbuds. But for those who want earbuds that can provide a more balanced sound through noise canceling that is compatible with all types of genres, the Sony’s 1000XM3 outshines.
Certainly, Sony leads the way when it comes to noise-canceling ability. The better active noise cancelation ability makes them stand out from not just the Apple earbuds but also other earbuds from different brands. This active noise canceling feature is more efficient in the Sony WF 1000XM3 than that in the AirPods Pro earbuds. Their ability to cut off ambient audio is praiseworthy.
Winner in Terms of Noise Canceling: Sony WF 1000XM3
Apple AirPods Pro vs Sony WF 1000XM3 Wireless Earbuds – Battery Life
Battery performance is another key factor to take into account when discussing AirPods Pro vs Sony WF 1000XM3 comparison. In absence of decent battery performance, your investment may go futile. The music playback time is found admirable on both these pairs of earbuds from reliable brands. Both these Apple and Sony earbuds provide decent battery performance on a single charge. Battery life is satisfactory in both these pairs of earbuds. Moreover, both of them support fast charging.
The Sony WF 1000XM3 True Wireless Earbuds including case battery present a battery life of 32 hours, whereas Apple AirPods Pro comes with a battery life of 24 hours. With noise cancelation turned on, the battery backup may decline in these Apple earbuds.
Sony WF-1000XM3 provides 90 minutes of usage with just 10 minutes of charge. On the other hand, AirPods Pro earbuds continue to work for approximately an hour after 5 minutes of charge. Moreover, they support wireless charging, which is not found in the WF-1000XM3. This aspect makes AirPods Pro one of the best wireless earbuds with powerful battery performance.
With a full charge battery, the AirPods Pro Earbuds can run for 4-5 hours overall. This much runtime is admirable but comparatively lower than that in Sony WF-1000XM3. This is because the WF1000XM3 earbuds can operate continuously for approximately 5-6 hours on a single full charge.
This aspect puts Sony WF 1000XM3 in a better position than AirPods Pro when carrying out a pro vs sony comparison. Also, this much runtime makes it a better choice compared to other offerings from non-Apple brands. The discussed battery performance is considered taking into account active noise cancelation at various volume levels.
With a wireless charging case, these Sony earbuds provide 20+ hours of playtime on average. This is measured when considering the mixed usage and diverse volume levels. On the other hand, AirPods Pro comes near to 20 hours but not higher than that.
Without noise-canceling technology, the WF1000XM3 earbuds provided a few more hours of playback. One minor benefit of AirPods Pro is that they depict the battery level of the charging case. Also, they show both earbuds directly on the connected iPhone’s screen the moment you open the lid. Though WF-1000XM3s also depicts the battery life, it is not so clear.
For continuous use, you can consider WF1000XM3, as it offers comparatively more battery life than AirPods Pro.
Winner in Terms of Battery Life: Sony WF 1000XM3
Apple AirPods Pro vs Sony WF1000XM3 Wireless Earbuds – Controls and Ease of Use
In this AirPods Pro vs Sony WF 1000XM3 comparison, it is important to know whether these earbuds are easy to use or not. Both these pairs of earbuds are designed for normal usage, not for rigorous outdoor activities. WF 1000XM3 is regarded as a premium device with the sole aim of conveying a decent audio experience. Conversely, AirPods Pro is more suitable for those people who are always on the move and looking for a decent sound experience to make life simpler.
While both these true wireless earbuds have many identical features, AirPods Pro outshines in terms of haptic feedback and controls. Their controls are easier to use and haptic feedback is more responsive than WF 1000XM3.
When it comes to controls, Apple AirPods Pro performs well by substituting the AirPods tap gestures with touch gestures. Each of its buds contains a haptic force sensor positioned at the base of the stem which is recognized by a tiny notch. When you press it, it would generate a click sound that ascertains that your intended commands are triggered.
A list of these commands includes one pinch to play music, two skips for a track forward, and three skips to reverse a track. Long pinch activates ANC/Transparency Mode. You may take a bit of time getting used to these controls but they are responsive.
WF 1000xM3 can track records with smooth touch controls. However, the touch panels fail to accurately register taps. After slight trial and error, you would realize that slide gestures function better. The same makes it better to deal with noise cancellation and playback.
Both these true wireless earbuds come with on-ear detection. Thus, you can pause music while removing the buds from your ears. When you put them back, playback resumes. Removing the buds will automatically pause whatever you are playing. This feature performs better on AirPods Pro because Apple’s movement detection is quick. The same does not hold true for WF 1000XM3 because these wireless earbuds struggled to record movements and frequently continued playback after being positioned on a surface.
In both cases, removing the buds automatically pauses what you’re playing. One thing worth noting is that the Sony buds can control the volume from your smartphone while AirPods Pro cannot. They require you to give a voice command to Siri or dig your phone out of your pocket.
For somebody using Sony’s WF 1000XM3 for the first time, it would take a few hits and trials to accomplish the things. There is a tiny gesture area that the user should touch to control music or some other functions. Since you may not tap at the right area every time, you need to take approximately two seconds to aim and tap. This is because the touch area is not big.
Touch controls are not flawlessly implemented on both these pairs of earbuds. However, Sony accomplished something unique by equipping each bud with a control pad. The left one is dedicated to turning noise-canceling on/off and triggering the transparency mode, whereas the right one is for playback controls.
Apple’s AirPods Pro outshines when it comes to OS connectivity. You may ponder that these earbuds work with Android devices too and connect like other earbuds. But with Apple’s iOS, macOS, or iPadOS, these earbuds connect flawlessly. So, they can be connected to Apple devices. This benefit is not perceptible to non-Apple users.
Other than the aspects discussed above in this section, you obtain necessary controls in both these pairs of earbuds. Both the pairs are easy to use for normal usage. You can easily attend calls and control tracks in both these true wireless earbuds pairs.
Winner in Terms of Control and Ease of Use: Apple AirPods Pro
Apple AirPods Pro vs Sony WF1000XM3 Wireless Earbuds – Voice Assistants
The digital assistant feature functions well on Sony’s WF 1000XM3 and the Apples AirPods Pro. But Apple claims excellent hands-free performance in these earbuds. The “Hey Siri” feature functions flawlessly on iOS devices. When you manually trigger Siri on any MacBook, it conveys spontaneous results. Because the AirPods Pro is compatible with Android devices, you can access Google Assistant too. Keep in mind that in that case, you will not be able to access any Siri function.
The WF 1000XM3 too supports hands-free Siri support and Google Assistant, but the former is more suited when it comes to flawlessly voice assistants. These Sony earbuds enable you to tap and hold to begin a conversation with any of the two virtual assistants as mentioned above. Furthermore, Sony’s mics showcase excellent speech recognition, and Google’s software performs better while registering commands to generate spontaneous results.
Winner in Terms of Voice Assistants: Sony WF 1000XM3
Final Thoughts
The above comparison suggests that both the Apple AirPods Pro and Sony WF1000XM3 earbuds promise a great listening experience for regular use. If you are looking for outstanding sound quality, then Sony WF 1000XM3 is a better choice. It promises rich sound output with enough bass, irrespective of the volume. You can benefit from a comfortable and snug fit with the WF1000XM3 earbuds.
When it comes to background noise cancellation, Apple’s earbuds win the race. If you dislike the hassles of frequent charging and intend to continuously listen for hours, then WF1000XM3 earbuds surpass AirPods Pro, as they guarantee better battery life.
