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Sony WF-C710N vs AirPods 4 with ANC: Sony strikes back
Published on5 hours ago
The AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation are among the most popular earbuds on the planet. While many know about the premium Sony WF-1000XM5, you might not know that Sony also has a mid-range offering that has most of the same features for much less money. Can the Sony WF-C710N take down the popular AirPods 4 with ANC? I spent extensive time testing both to see which one delivers more value, better sound, and a more reliable experience.
This article was originally published on May 4, 2025, and this is the first version.
What’s it like to use the Sony WF-C710N compared to the AirPods 4 with ANC?
The Sony WF-C710N take a bold step in design with a translucent blue plastic shell, though they also come in more traditional white or black color options. They come with three silicone ear tip sizes, so you have some customization room to get a good fit. In contrast, the AirPods 4 with ANC stick to Apple’s iconic open-fit design. I have no trouble getting the AirPods 4 to fit in my ears, but the lack of a customizable fit meant some of our team members couldn’t wear them for long without discomfort or slippage. Both sets of earbuds are water-resistant, so you can take them out in the rain or to the gym.
From a daily-use standpoint, Sony includes basic accessories—extra tips and a USB-C cable—while Apple leans into software convenience. The AirPods’ seamless iOS integration, especially features like Find My and head gestures, make them feel more intelligent in use. However, those perks disapear if you’re not part of the Apple ecosystem.
The Sony WF-C710N have tap controls.
| Input | Left earbud | Right earbud |
|---|---|---|
| Input Single tap | Left earbud ANC/Ambient sound | Right earbud Play/pause |
| Input Double tap | Left earbud Not assigned | Right earbud Next song |
| Input Triple tap | Left earbud Not assigned | Right earbud Previous song |
| Input Long press | Left earbud Quick attention | Right earbud Voice assistant |
You can control the AirPods 4 by pinching the stem, or with voice controls through Siri.
| Action (stems) | Either earbud |
|---|---|
One tap | Play/pause |
Two taps | Skip forward |
Three taps | Previous track |
Press and hold | Siri |
"Hey Siri" | Change volume, request directions, playback control, receive messages, and more |
Nod or shake | Answer "yes" or "no" to Siri |
Do the Sony WF-C710N or AirPods 4 with ANC have more features?
Sony loads the WF-C710N with customization through the Sound Connect app. You get a five-band EQ, spatial audio personalization via 360 Reality Audio, and Adaptive Sound Control that changes ANC behavior based on your activity.
The AirPods 4 with ANC offer Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness, which are genuinely useful when you’re on the move. There’s also spatial audio support, but you won’t find an EQ or true customization here. The software experience is native to iOS — but limited otherwise, as there is no companion app for Android devices.
How do the Sony WF-C710N and AirPods 4 with ANC connect?
Both earbuds connect via Bluetooth 5.3 and support SBC and AAC. I had zero connection issues with either during testing. Sony’s pairing process is old-school: button press on the case, wait for pairing mode. Apple’s earbuds pair instantly with your iPhone and are ready to sync across iCloud devices. That level of convenience is a major win for Apple users, but not much of a perk for anyone else.
Is battery life better on the Sony WF-C710N or AirPods 4 with ANC?
Our battery testing shows the Sony buds last 9 hours and 25 minutes on a single charge with ANC enabled. You also get 30+ hours total with the charging case.
On the other hand, the AirPods 4 with ANC managed 6 hours and 21 minutes in our testing, and they promise up to 30 hours with the case. Apple adds wireless charging via MagSafe, Qi, or Apple Watch chargers—something Sony skips. Still, for raw playback time on a charge, Sony takes the lead.
Do the Sony WF-C710N or AirPods 4 with ANC block noise better?
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Sony’s earbuds are sealed and come with ANC and excellent passive isolation. They block up to 30dB of low-frequency noise with ANC enabled and up to 40dB of high-frequency noise passively. I found them genuinely effective for commuting and listening in noisy environments.
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Apple’s ANC system is impressive given the open-fit design, reducing up to 20dB in mids and highs, but the lack of a seal really limits its potential. On the other hand, when it comes to staying aware of your surroundings, Apple is king. I find the AirPods transparency mode sounds great, and works well with features such as Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness.
Do the Sony WF-C710N sound better than the AirPods 4 with ANC?
Since the AirPods 4 have a one-size-fits-all design, your sound quality experience will depend on how well they fit in your ears. On the plus side, Apple’s Adaptive EQ technology adjusts the sound to the fit of the AirPods in your ears. If you have an iPhone, you can listen to any media in spatial audio with AirPods, whereas Sony 360 Reality Audio is locked to specific streaming services. The Sony WF-C710N sound very good out of the box, and you can tweak the sound using the custom equalizer.
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)
The WF-C710N earn an Overall score of 4.8, with a 4.9 in Timbre, 4.3 in Immersiveness, and 3.8 in Distortion. That’s excellent across the board. In comparison, the AirPods 4 with ANC score 3.6 Overall. Their Timbre (3.7), Distortion (3.5), and Immersiveness (3.8) reflect a decent experience, but it will depend on how well the earbuds fit in your ears.
- Timbre (MOS-T) represents how faithfully the headphones reproduce the frequency spectrum and temporal resolution (timing information).
- Distortion (MOS-D) represents non-linearities and added noise: higher scores mean cleaner reproduction.
- Immersiveness (MOS-I) represents perceived source width and positioning: how well virtual sound sources are defined in three-dimensional space.
Objective Measurements
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The Sony WF-C710N default frequency response closely follows our house curve but dips around 10kHz, which slightly dulls treble details. Apple’s unsealed design rolls off sub-bass significantly and has a 2kHz bump that can emphasize sibilance. Highs are under-emphasized from 3–6kHz, contributing to more emphasis on mids.
Do the Sony WF-C710N or AirPods 4 with ANC have a better microphone?
Both earbuds offer solid microphone quality. The WF-C710N perform admirably in various conditions—quiet rooms, offices, streets, even wind. Apple’s AirPods, however, benefit from AAC-ELD and iPhone processing. This gives them the edge in voice clarity, especially on FaceTime or phone calls. They also offer spatial voice positioning on FaceTime, which is a nice bonus if you’re deep into the Apple world.
Sony WF-C710N microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
AirPods 4 with ANC microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
Sony WF-C710N microphone demo (Street conditions):
AirPods 4 with ANC microphone demo (Street conditions):
Which microphone sounds better to you?
Sony WF-C710N vs AirPods 4 with ANC: Price and availability
The Sony WF-C710N have a slightly lower starting price of $119.99 compared to the AirPods 4 with ANC starting price of $179. Of course, if you are willing to sacrifice noise canceling, you can also check out the regular AirPods 4, which have a starting price of $129.
Should you get the Sony WF-C710N or AirPods 4 with ANC?
If you prioritize a comfortable fit, effective ANC, and battery life, go with the Sony WF-C710N. These earbuds offer real value and flexibility across devices. They’re not flashy, but they do the job well—especially if you’re not an Apple user.
On the other hand, if you’re deep in the Apple ecosystem and want something that “just works” with your iPhone, Mac, and iPad, the AirPods 4 with ANC are a sensible pick. Just know that your experience will vary depending on how well the AirPods fit in your ears.
Solid ANC experience
What should you get instead of the Sony WF-C710N or AirPods 4 with ANC?
Around this price point, there are a lot of good wireless earbud options. For starters, consider the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro ($129.99 at Amazon). These earbuds have a very unique charging case with a built-in display to tweak settings. On top of that, they have great noise canceling and a sound quality that most people will enjoy.
If you own an iPhone, the AirPods Pro 2 are worth the upgrade ($189.99 at Amazon). You get multiple sizes of ear tips to ensure a proper fit, as well as great noise canceling. The AirPods Pro 2 also function as a hearing aid, a unique feature for consumer earbuds.