The first-generation AirPods Pro are a great pair of earbuds and are often the go-to choice for many owning an iPhone. In September 2022, alongside the iPhone 14 lineup, Apple unveiled the second-generation AirPods Pro. The new variant came with many changes, bringing improved audio and battery life, plus several new quality-of-life features.
While the upgrades better this product, there exists some tough competition in the market, namely, the Sony WF-1000XM4. Here, we will compare the two to see which one might better fit your needs.
Price
Starting with the price, the AirPods Pro 2 costs $249, matching the first-gen AirPods Pro and undercutting the Sony WF-1000XM4 by $30—which retails for $279. In our comparison of the original AirPods Pro and the WF-1000XM4, we stated the price difference doesn't hold much weight in this price bracket, and that argument remains intact.
But now, if you own an iPhone, the second-generation AirPods Pro offer a lot more value when compared to the Sony, especially due to the U1 chip in the carrying case.
Earbud Design and Fit
When speaking of the design, AirPods Pro 2 maintain the polarizing white color and stemmed look, whereas the Sony WF-1000XM4 has a more muted design, with black or beige options. The WF-1000XM4 also attempts to sit flush with your ears with no stems, though their larger size does make them jut out a little.
Having used both earbuds for an extended period, when it comes to comfort, I actually prefer the second-generation AirPods Pro because they're lightweight and easier to control. Now, the WF-1000XM4 isn't bad, as its foam ear tips help create a great seal, and the additional weight is manageable, but when it comes to controls, they're just a tad bit behind. We'll delve into the controls aspect ahead.
Case Design
The carrying case is another vital piece when discerning the best pair of true wireless earbuds, and here the AirPods continue to hold an advantage. Not only is the case more compact, but it comes with additional features and an IP rating.
When it comes to measuring the size, we'd say the AirPods Pro 2 case is about half the size of the one shipping with the Sony WF-1000XM4. And as for additional features, the Pro 2 case comes with MagSafe compatibility, a lanyard loop, a speaker, and the U1 chip. The last two features on the list make it easy to locate the case when misplaced.
Controls and Customizability
The WF-1000XM4 uses a capacitive touch surface—on both earbuds— for controls. These can sometimes miss a tap (or register unintentional ones) and only offer feedback with a faint in-ear sound.
Similarly, the AirPods Pro 2 also use capacitive sensors, but the stem-based implementation requires a firm squeeze and offers audible sound feedback, which even somewhat mimics haptic feedback—one of the features that Apple does better than its competition. This combination ensures that your inputs aren't missed or mistakenly registered.
As for customization, the second-generation AirPods Pro will let you control playback and volume on both earbuds and then offers a customizable long squeeze which you can use to change noise-cancellation modes or access Siri.
The Sony WF-1000XM4 will let you control noise cancellation modes on one earbud while the other controls playback and the assistant. There are no volume controls available.
Audio Performance
Coming to audio performance—a core component of the experience—the Sony WF-1000XM4's received a lot of praise and was deemed the best earbuds by many. As for first-generation AirPods Pro, these weren't poor in any sense but couldn't really compare to Sony's.
With AirPods Pro 2, Apple is shipping new audio drivers and a new H2 chip for processing. The combination of these two puts the second-generation AirPods Pro right next to the Sony WF-1000XM4. Yes, the Sony WF-1000XM4 supports LDAC—a high-resolution audio codec—but its impact isn't significant enough to choose one over the other this time around.
Another ancillary part of the audio experience with these earbuds is active-noise canceling. The AirPods Pro 2 and Sony WF-1000XM4 do a great job of cutting out background sounds. Be it a vehicle passing by or the low rumble of an airplane, it's all muffled or removed entirely, even if you don't have any music playing. People talking in your background will still be audible on either pair though having some audio playing will drown out their sounds too.
Overall, we feel the earbuds are toe to toe in this category, and audio quality shouldn't affect your purchase decision as much as the other factors.
Battery Life
Battery life has often been a pain point for this product category, but these two products fare well, although the Sony WF-1000XM4 does best than AirPods Pro 2. With ANC enabled, the Sony WF-1000XM4 lasts up to eight hours on a single charge, while the Pro 2 can work for six. Turning off ANC on the Sony will make them last for up to 12 hours. Apple doesn't provide any reference numbers for such a scenario.
If we focus on the carrying cases, they add 24 hours to the equation, which means three cycles for the Sony WF-1000XM4 and four for the second-generation AirPods Pro. And you can charge either case via wired or wireless methods. If you go the wired route, the port types differ. Apple uses a Lightning Connector, while Sony has a USB-C port.
As for charging each set of earbuds, they will go from zero to a hundred in about an hour and a half.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs. Sony WF-1000XM4: Which One Should You Buy?
Up until this point, we've seen how these earbuds compare and noted their respective strengths, bringing us to the final question: Which one should you buy?
Well, if you own an Android device, we'd steer you away from the AirPods Pro 2 so that you could use each available feature like Google Fast Pair, which lets you seamlessly pair your earbuds with your phone. Similar to how AirPods work with iPhones.
But if you're an iPhone owner (or any Apple device for that matter) considering these two options, the story changes in favor of the AirPods. In the past, we'd recommend the Sony WF-1000XM4 if you preferred better audio quality, but the improvements with the second-generation AirPods Pro reduce the gap significantly.
Plus, access to features like Spatial Audio, Precision Tracking via Find My, and seamless transition between Apple products make the AirPods Pro 2 a clear winner.
For Apple Users, the AirPods Pro 2 Are a Clear Choice
With generational upgrades, we often expect products to change, be it in terms of looks or internal hardware. With the AirPods Pro 2, Apple has provided improvements in both aspects.
While the earbuds themselves remain fairly unchanged on the outside, internally, they've undergone a hardware revamp, bringing them in line with the competition. And the case, which is a core part of the experience, has become highly functional compared to other options on the market. These are points covered in depth within our second-generation AirPods Pro review.
Overall for Apple fans, the AirPods are now in a league of their own and should be the only choice considered.