Apple AirPods Pro 2 Vs Sony WF-1000xm4: Which Is Better?

People are fond of listening to music and watching movies and TV shows. However, the thing that really makes a difference in the experience is the quality of the earphones you use. Two of the best earphones on the market today are Apple AirPods Pro 2 and Sony WF-1000XM4. However, many people are confused as to which one of these they should buy. In this Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs Sony WF-1000XM4 comparison, we will try to answer this question and by the end of the blog, we will mention a clear winner. 

The Best TWS Earphones In The Market Today

When comparing Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs Sony WF-1000XM4, we have to keep in mind that both of these earphones are top-of-the-line and coming short in this comparison doesn’t mean that the earphone is bad. Moreover, sound or music is something which is very subjective and not everybody likes the same sound. Some people like bassy sounds, while some like more realistic sounds. So, take this comparison with a grain of salt. With that being said, let's start this comparison. We will start with price and then make our way to other important things in a TWS earphone. 

Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs Sony WF-1000XM4 Comparison: Price

When it comes to buying anything, price is something that we all consider, no matter how much your budget is. In the case of Sony WF-1000XM4, the price can be a little deceptive. For starters, these earphones are old, and for that reason, you can find WF-1000XM4 for as low as Rs.16,000. However, this is not the case with Apple AirPods Pro 2, and you can buy these earphones for as low as Rs. 23,499. 

So, here we can see that there is quite a big difference in the prices of both of these TWS Earphones. We would like you to keep that cost difference in mind during this Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs Sony WF-1000XM4 comparison. 

Winner: Sony WF-1000XM4

Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs Sony WF-1000XM4 Comparison: Design

Earphones come in all shapes and sizes, from kidney-shaped Galaxy Buds Live to donut-inspired Sony Link-buds. However, Apple AirPods Pro 2 and Sony WF-1000XM4 are more traditional looking than you might think. 

Let's first talk about the design features of Apple AirPods Pro 2. So, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 are not very different from their predecessors. In fact, you might struggle to differentiate between AirPods Pro 2 and the original Pros, based on looks. The colour share is almost the same, the case is the same, and even the stems are pretty much identical. Although there are a few minor updates, most of them are in the case. For instance, the case now comes with an engraving of a Memoji, and the case now has speakers to play sounds when it's misplaced or fully charged. 

Now, the next thing to talk about is the design features of the Sonys. So, they are pretty normal, to be honest. There isn’t anything flashy going on with the earphones. They are pretty minimal in style and come in matte black colour, which gives them an even more subdued appearance. However, they are a bit bulky, and after long sessions, you might feel their weight, which is never comfortable. 

The winner in this category is very hard to decide. Some people might like the pearl white colour of Apple AirPods Pro, while some might like the matte black and stealthy look of the Sony WF-1000XM4. So, this category in our Apple AirPods Pro 2 VS Sony WF-1000XM4 comparison remains a draw. 

Apple AirPods Pro 2 VS Sony WF-1000XM4 Comparison: Sound Quality

When it comes to sound quality, both earphones perform quite similarly. Apple AirPods Pro 2 has come a long way when compared to its predecessor, AirPods Pro 1. Earlier, Apple was a little shy when it came to bass, and Apple’s AirPods Pro 1 felt a little shallow because of the lack of bass. However, this is not the case with the new Apple AirPods Pro 2. They have the right amount of bass and feel very premium, as they should, considering their price tag. Moreover, Apple EQ presets and the integration of Dolby Atmos makes listening to music and watching Dolby Atmos-supported movies a joyous activity. On top of that, the sound clarity of Apple is on another level, and we don’t think any other earphones will be able to beat it. 

However, this is not the case with Sony WF-1000XM4. In the past, Sony has always been more bassy than its competitors, sometimes a little too much; the perfect example is WF-1000XM3. But this is not the case with  Sony WF-1000XM4. The bass characteristics are dialled down, which makes the sound feel more realistic and alive. Moreover, listening to instruments on Sony offers a unique experience. Then comes the special features like the 360 Reality Audio feature, which makes the sound even better and more refined. Moreover, the Sony’s can support LDAC codec. This makes them more versatile and usable in different scenarios. 

Winner: Even when Sonys are more bassy and have a few tricks up their sleeve, this category in our Apple AirPods Pro 2 VS Sony WF-1000XM4 comparison goes to Sony WF-1000XM4. 

Apple AirPods Pro 2 VS Sony WF-1000XM4 Comparison: Active Noise Cancellation

In this category of our Apple AirPods Pro 2 VS Sony WF-1000XM4 comparison, let’s first talk about Apple and then take a look at the Sonys.

At the time of the launch, Apple said that the AirPods Pro 2 were twice as good in noise cancelling as their predecessors. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case. This doesn’t mean that the AirPods Pro 2 have bad noise cancellation; it's just that they are not as good as you might expect, considering the price point. These earphones are next level when it comes to cancelling our low and mid-frequency sounds. However, when it comes to high-frequency sounds, they still struggle a little bit. The main feature of the AirPods Pro 2 is their ambient listening mode, which allows you to stay connected with your surroundings while enjoying your music or content. 

When it comes to noise cancellation in Sony WF-1000XM4, we can assure you that it is something on another level. The earphones can cancel our High, low, and mid-frequency sounds easily and with absolute perfection. Unlike Apple, which has a single mode of ambient listening, Sony offers 20 ambient listening modes. This lets you decide the level of ambient listening you want to have. It also has an automatic wind noise reduction feature that cancels out the wind noise, even when your ANC is turned off. 

Winner: This category goes to Sony WF-1000XM4. 

Apple AirPods Pro 2 VS Sony WF-1000XM4 comparison: Battery Life

Now, let’s quickly talk about the battery life of both earphones.

Apple AirPods Pro 2: Battery life is one of the biggest caveats in Apple AirPods Pro 2. On a full charge, AirPods Pro 2 will last for around 5.5 hours to 7 hours, depending on whether the ANC is on or off. The case of Apple AirPods Pro lasts for 34 when ANC is not in use.  

Sony WF-1000XM4: Battery life is one of the strengths of Sony and WF-1000XM4 are no exception. They offer 8 hours of battery backup with ANC on and 12 hours with ANC off. Moreover, the case also lasts longer at 36 hours. One of the main reasons for better battery life is the bigger size of the case and the earphones which allows Sony to use big batteries. 

Result: There is no debate here; Sony WF-1000XM4 is a clear winner in this category of our Apple AirPods Pro 2 VS Sony WF-1000XM4 comparison. 

Our Verdict

Apple AirPods Pro 2 and Sony WF-1000XM4 are two of the best ANC TWS earphones in the market today. Both of these earphones offer robust features with incredible sound quality and ANC capabilities. However, we have to decide on a winner and for this Apple AirPods Pro 2 VS Sony WF-1000XM4 comparison. Our winner is the Sony WF-1000XM4. Better battery life, noise cancellation, sound quality and a lower price are what gave Sony the win.