Sony WF-1000XM6 vs AirPods Pro 3
Sony’s newest flagship earbuds cost $80 more than AirPods Pro 3. Which one fits depends mostly on your phone.
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Quick answer
Get AirPods Pro 3 ($249) if you use an iPhone. You get IP57 dust and water resistance, a heart rate sensor for workouts, hearing health features and Live Translation. Get the Sony WF-1000XM6 ($329.99) if you use Android and want LDAC, Sony’s EQ and app features, and the improved noise cancelling and mics SoundGuys measured.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Check Sony WF-1000XM6 price (opens in a new tab)Check Apple AirPods Pro 3 price (opens in a new tab)
Key facts at a glance
| Sony WF-1000XM6 | Apple AirPods Pro 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.99 list | $249 list |
| Best with | Android (works on iPhone over AAC) | iPhone |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | AAC (Apple H2 chip) |
| Battery (ANC on) | Up to 8 hours; 24 hours with case | Up to 8 hours; 24 hours with case |
| Water resistance | IPX4 (earbuds) | IP57 (earbuds and case) |
Sony released the WF-1000XM6 on February 12, 2026, and it now competes directly with Apple’s AirPods Pro 3.
Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Pro 3: side-by-side
| Sony WF-1000XM6 | AirPods Pro 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.99 list | $249 list |
| Best with | Android (works on iPhone over AAC) | iPhone |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | AAC (Apple H2 chip) |
| Battery (ANC on) | Up to 8 hours; 24 hours with case | Up to 8 hours; 24 hours with case |
| Water resistance | IPX4 (earbuds) | IP57 (earbuds and case) |
| Mics | 4 per earbud plus bone conduction pickup | Dual beamforming mics |
| Extras | Multipoint, LE Audio, Auracast | Heart rate sensor, Hearing Aid feature, Live Translation, Find My case speaker |
| Earbud weight | 6.5g | 5.55g |
How much do they cost?
Sony WF-1000XM6 plans
| Item | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| List | $329.99 | Seen at $279.99 at Walmart (TechRadar) |
Apple AirPods Pro 3 plans
| Item | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| List | $249 | Sales are common |
What are the pros and cons?
Sony WF-1000XM6: pros
- LDAC and LC3
- Excellent noise cancelling (SoundGuys)
- Strong call mics
- Sony app EQ
Sony WF-1000XM6: cons
- $80 more
- IPX4 only
- Bigger case than XM5
Apple AirPods Pro 3: pros
- Seamless with iPhone
- IP57
- Heart rate and hearing features
- Lower price
Apple AirPods Pro 3: cons
- Fewer perks on Android
- No LDAC
Which should you choose: Sony WF-1000XM6 or Apple AirPods Pro 3?
On an iPhone, AirPods Pro 3 make more sense and cost less. On Android, the WF-1000XM6 is the stronger choice thanks to LDAC, Sony’s app and its noise cancelling. Battery life is rated the same.
Choose Sony WF-1000XM6 if…
- You use Android
- You want LDAC
- You want to tune the sound with EQ
Choose Apple AirPods Pro 3 if…
- You use an iPhone
- You want a sweat-resistant case too
- You want workout heart rate tracking
Noise cancelling and sound
SoundGuys[3] calls the WF-1000XM6 Sony’s best earbuds to date, with improvements to noise cancelling, sound, mics and fit, but says battery life and codecs are unchanged from the XM5. Apple lists adaptive noise cancelling on AirPods Pro 3 with the H2 chip. For more options, see best noise-cancelling earbuds.
Your phone decides
iPhones don’t support LDAC, so most of Sony’s codec advantage disappears there. AirPods Pro 3 features like Live Translation and heart rate sensing need an iPhone. If you’re weighing the older Sony model instead, see AirPods Pro 3 vs WF-1000XM5 and WF-1000XM6 vs WF-1000XM5.
Frequently asked questions
When did the Sony WF-1000XM6 come out?
Which lasts longer on a charge?
Are the WF-1000XM6 waterproof?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- Apple: AirPods Pro 3 tech specs (apple.com)
- Sony: WF-1000XM6 (electronics.sony.com)
- SoundGuys: WF-1000XM6 vs WF-1000XM5 (soundguys.com)
- TechRadar: WF-1000XM6 vs WF-1000XM5 (techradar.com)
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