February saw Sony unveil the WF-1000XM6, its first flagship earbuds in three years, directly challenging Apple’s AirPods Pro 3. Both sport Bluetooth 5.3, eight hours of ANC‑enabled playback and a total of 24 hours with their charging cases. Apple prices the Pro model at $249, while Sony lists the XM6 for $329.99 on Amazon in the market.

Design-wise, Apple sticks with its familiar stem‑based silhouette, using silicone tips that seal the ear canal for noise isolation. Sony opts for a more compact, blob‑shaped body with foam tips available in four sizes, sacrificing the dangling stalk but gaining a subtler visual profile. The XM6 case measures 2.56 × 1.10 × 1.77 inches and weighs 1.65 oz, slightly heftier than Apple’s 1.55‑oz MagSafe case.

Audio performance splits on driver size: Apple’s 10.7 mm high‑excursion drivers pair with the H2 chip, while Sony’s 8.4 mm units rely on the QN3e processor, LDAC support and real‑time DSEE Extreme upscaling. Both deliver 3D spatial sound, but Sony adds 360 Reality Audio and a customizable EQ via its Sound Connect app. For users prioritizing tighter integration with iOS, the Pro 3 remains the more seamless choice.