AirPods Pro Vs. Sony WF-1000XM3: Which One Is Suitable For You?

The AirPods Pro is always among the best pair of true wireless earbuds on the market. However, even with a revamp in design, they can still slip out of your ears from time to time.

For now, the Sony WF-1000XM3 is the most likely pair of earbuds that can dethrone the AirPods Pro. Let’s take a look at both of them to see which one is suitable for you.

Price

A pair of AirPods Pro will set you back Rs. 24,900, a big difference in comparison with the earlier versions of AirPods.

Sony WF-1000XM3 is priced at Rs. 16,986, cheaper than Apple’s latest earbuds while offering similar, if not better features.

Design

When it comes to design, it is a matter of preference. While the stem on the Airpods Pro is smaller than its predecessors, it is not hard to tell that you are wearing Apple’s products.

While the shorter stem might sound like a plus, it will make it trickier for you to find the capacitive force sensor, which you can squeeze to pause and skip tracks, as well as activating Transparency or noise-canceling mode.

Sony WF-1000XM3 sits just outside your ears so those who prefer an unobtrusive look may like them more.

In comparison with original AirPods, the AirPods Pro boasts an improvement in comfort and they will not bounce much when you climb the stairs or go jogging.

The AirPods Pro comes with three pairs of ear tips in different sizes which you can choose with the help of a fit test.

The only problem here is that when you sweat, the earbuds can slide around a bit. The lightness of the earbuds can be a plus but in case they fall out of your ears, you may not notice it.

Neither of these earbuds is designed for sports but the AirPods Pro has the edge in the IPX4 water-resistant rating, meaning you can wear them in the rain.

Battery Life

One of the most important features of true wireless earbuds is a durable battery. In a test, the Sony WF-1000XM3 is proven to last for six hours with noise cancelation. This, and the charging case, gives you 24 hours in total.

The smart rechargeable case can double as a battery pack and it features a quick charge mode. You will get 90 minutes of battery life if you plug in for 10 minutes. You can charge the case via USB-C in around three hours.

The AirPods Pro can last for five hours without noise cancellation and 4.5 hours with the feature on. The case adds 24 hours and you also have the fast charging mode.

So when it comes to battery life, Sony WF-1000XM3 gives you a little longer use time.

Noise Cancellation

Both earbuds have noise cancellation so the real question here is which one is better.

Sony is known to offer solid noise cancellation tech. The Sony WF-1000XM3 shares the QN1e HD noise-canceling processor with the Sony WH-1000M3, the best headphones ever since they were released in 2018.

While noise still seeps through its defense, you can still on the earbuds’ ability to drown out nearby conversations, which is great if you want to stay focus in a noisy office.

AirPods Pro is not so far off in this respect. Similar to the Sony WF-1000XM3, noise still bleeds through, but your constant noises will disappear.

Sound Quality

Sound quality makes a big difference and in this respect, the clear winner is the Sony WF-1000XM3.

Sony’s true wireless earbuds feature 6mm drivers that promise expansive and wide soundstage. You will have smooth mid-range, good bass, but you had better a pair of over ear headphones if you desire a more pronounced thump.

AirPods Pro feature Apple’s custom drivers, an adaptive equalizer, and improved bass, allowing for rich vocals and powerful bass.

However, for more keen ears, the separation between mid and low is only average. You will find it hard to hear all the details available to you with the Sony WF-1000XM3 with the Airpods Pro on.

Pop music sounds balanced and rich, enough for most users. However, if you are a fan of classical music, you might want to look elsewhere, as the sounds are rather dull.

A highlight with the AirPods Pro is that the earbuds send the exact volume level to the connected iPhone so you can see if the sounds may damage your hearing, a thoughtful gesture that can win many people over.

Verdict

It comes down to personal preference when deciding which is better, the AirPods Pro or the Sony WF-1000XM3.

The offer from Sony is cheaper, has better sound quality and battery life while the AirPods Pro can fit snugly into your ears and are water-resistant. Since Apple products can connect seamlessly with each other, it makes sense to go for AirPods if you have already had an iPhone. This helps you take advantage of all the cool features available to you with an Apple-to-Apple connection.

So the choice here depends on what you need most, is it sound quality, water resistance, or connection to a smartphone. Whatever you choose, you are in for a very high-end pair of earbuds.

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