Weight
- Sony WF-1000XM4
- About 7.3 g per earbud
- Apple AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case
- 4.3 g per earbud
Earbud comparison
Sony WF-1000XM4 vs Apple AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case
Compare sound, battery life, fit, controls and connections.
01Selected  Sony WF-1000XM4
KSh 29,500Out of Stock | 02  AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case
KSh 26,500In Stock |
|---|
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Sony WF-1000XM6KSh 40,000
Sony WF-1000XM5KSh 25,500
Soundcore Liberty 5 ProKSh 29,500
JBL Tour Pro 3KSh 33,000
Sony LinkBuds FitKSh 35,000
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2KSh 28,000
Bose QuietComfort Ultra EarbudsKSh 29,000
2 of 4 products
Our quick verdict
The Apple AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case is the better buy: it has better water and dust protection (IP57) and is lighter on the head.
Connections
- Sony WF-1000XM4
- Bluetooth 5.2 connection
- Apple AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case
- Bluetooth 5.3 connection
Fit
- Sony WF-1000XM4
- Noise Isolation Earbud Tips
- Apple AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case
- Open-fit design
Controls
- Sony WF-1000XM4
- Touch controls
- Apple AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case
- Force sensor with volume swipe
Water resistance
- Sony WF-1000XM4
- IPX4 water and dust resistance
- Apple AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case
- IP57 water and dust resistance
Key differences
The main differences to help you choose.
Sony WF-1000XM4
- LDAC hi-res Bluetooth codec support.
Apple AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case
- IP57 water and dust resistance (vs IPX4).
- Lighter: 4.3 g each (vs about 7.3 g).
- Newer model: released in 2026 (vs 2021).
- Supports spatial audio.
What matters most to you?
6 priorities selected.
| Priority | Sony WF-1000XM4 | Apple AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | Noise Isolation Earbud Tips | Open-fit design |
| Weight | About 7.3 g per earbud | 4.3 g per earbud |
| Battery life | Up to 24 hours with the case | Up to 5 hours per charge; 22 hours with the case |
| Controls | Touch controls | Force sensor with volume swipe |
| Noise cancellation | Noise cancellation for listening | Noise cancellation for listening |
| Connections | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Water resistance | IPX4 water and dust resistance | IP57 water and dust resistance |
| Audio | DSEE Extreme | H2 chip |
| Charging | 5 minutes provides up to 60 minutes playback | 5 minutes in case provides around 1 hour |
| Software | Sony / Sound Connect | Built into supported Apple operating systems |
Tick a topic above to see how each product answers it.
Detailed comparison
Explore the full specifications, section by section.
These products have the same published specifications.
Similarities
- Both have active noise cancellation.
- Both have an ambient mode to hear your surroundings.
- Both charge over USB-C.
- Both have built-in microphones for calls.
- Both connect over Bluetooth.
- Same connector: wireless audio connection.
In summary
The Apple AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case is the better buy for almost everyone, with better water and dust protection and a lighter fit.
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