The Android Champion Reimagined

For years, the battle for true wireless earbud supremacy has been a two-horse race between Sony and Bose on the noise-cancellation front, with Apple dominating for pure ecosystem convenience. With the WF-1000XM5, Sony has returned to the arena with a refreshed design and a renewed focus on what they do best: unparalleled audio fidelity and a suite of smart features. We spent some time with these earbuds to see if they still have what it takes to be the top choice for audiophiles and Android users.

Design & Comfort: Smaller, Lighter, and Sleeker

The most immediate and welcome change from the WF-1000XM4 is the dramatic reduction in size. The XM5 are approximately 25% smaller and 20% lighter, making them significantly more comfortable for extended listening sessions. This new, more compact design is sleek and ergonomic, fitting snugly in the ear without the bulky profile of their predecessors. Sony has also made a design choice with the a glossy finish on most of the bud, which looks premium but can feel a bit slippery.

The standout feature for fit is the included polyurethane foam ear tips, which come in four sizes (XS, S, M, L). These tips create an excellent seal, which is critical for both audio quality and noise cancellation. While they may not have the added stability wings of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, the snug fit provided by the foam tips is remarkably secure for most day-to-day activities, though some may find them less ideal for vigorous exercise.

Connectivity & Battery:

The WF-1000XM5 features Bluetooth 5.3 and supports true multipoint connectivity, allowing you to seamlessly switch between two devices without manual re-pairing. Battery life is also a strong point, offering up to 8 hours of listening with ANC on, with the charging case providing an additional 16 hours for a total of 24 hours. The case itself is a compact delight, supporting both USB-C and Qi wireless charging.

Performance & Features:

• Sound Quality: The Audiophile’s Choice This is where the WF-1000XM5 truly shines. Driven by the new 8.4mm “Dynamic Driver X,” these earbuds deliver a sound profile that is a masterclass in balance and detail. The bass is deep and punchy but doesn’t muddy the mix, while the mids are clear and present, and the highs are crisp and well-defined. For those who enjoy tweaking their audio, Sony’s excellent Headphones Connect app provides a powerful and easy-to-use equalizer, allowing you to fine-tune the sound to your exact preference—a major advantage over Apple’s fixed EQ. The inclusion of the LDAC codec for high-resolution audio streaming is a game-changer for Android users, offering a significant jump in quality for supported devices.
• Noise Cancellation (ANC): A Formidable Competitor Sony has long been a leader in noise cancellation, and the XM5s continue this tradition. They are powered by dual processors (the V2 and the QN2e) and three microphones on each earbud, which work in tandem to create a highly effective silent environment. While the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds might still have a very slight edge in eliminating a broader spectrum of low-frequency noise, the XM5s are incredibly close and arguably offer a more “natural” feel without the aural vacuum effect some find disorienting. They excel at blocking out everything from a train’s rumble to a coffee shop’s chatter.

The Sony WF-1000XM5 are a testament to Sony’s relentless pursuit of audio excellence. They have corrected the design flaws of their predecessors, delivering a product that is smaller, more comfortable, and sleeker. While the competition from Bose on ANC and Apple on ecosystem integration is fierce, the WF-1000XM5 stands out with its superior, customizable sound quality and a suite of thoughtful, intelligent features. For the user who prioritizes audio fidelity above all else and wants the most feature-rich experience, especially on an Android device, the WF-1000XM5 remains the king.

Final Score: 9.6/10