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Best Sony headphones in 2024
From premium ANC to industry-leading sound, here are the best headphones Sony has to offer
Sony is known for making some of the best noise-cancelling headphones on the market, with the class-leading Sony WH-1000XM5 being merely the latest in a long lineup of perennial favorites. However, those are far from the only over-ear cans the company makes; it may surprise you to learn that Sony has a broad headphone lineup, with something for every budget. Keeping with Sony's audio reputation, its entire headphone collection delivers impressive sound quality for each price point, plus a comfortable and lightweight fit and class-leading battery life.
The 5 weirdest Android tablets ever
A deep dive into five Android tablets that are as wild and unpredictable as your favorite soap opera plot twists
Some Android devices are cool; they feature powerful processors, sleek designs, and cutting-edge technology that make you feel like you are holding the future. Then there are their peculiar counterparts, tablets in the Android family that feel half-baked at their best. These underdogs have been trying to steal the show, but despite their brave efforts and years of existence, they still find themselves on the weird side rather than basking in the glory of tablet greatness. From odd shapes to meaningless functions, here are five Android tablets that might have missed the memo on cutting the tablet stardom race.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vs. Sony WF-1000XM5: Which ANC earbuds are the best?
Two top-tier wireless earbuds — which one is better?
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the Sony WF-1000XM5 are both high-quality ANC earbuds that are considered by many to be neck-in-neck for the top spot on the list of best noise-canceling earbuds, and if you happen to slide either pair into your ears, you'll realize why. Not only do they both sound great, but both sets of earbuds offer fantastic active noise-cancellation (ANC) and some of the best features you can find in today's market. However, no two products are the same. After spending some time with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and the Sony WF-1000XM5, we are here to help you decide between these top-tier choices.
The Sony WF-1000XM5 set a new high-water mark for true wireless earbuds
Sony's latest premium buds handily take the crown as AP's favorite earbuds of 2023
As 2023 draws to a close, Android Police has been reflecting on the best tech of the year. In terms of groundbreaking new advancements, 2023 hasn't been an especially impressive time: many of our category winners — like our favorite phone, the Pixel 8 Pro, or our pick for best smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch 6 — are refinements to proven formulas that we've liked for years. Android Police's best earbuds of 2023, the Sony WF-1000XM5, don't buck that trend. Sony's latest flagship earbuds are a lot like its last flagship earbuds, which were themselves a lot like the pair before them. But Sony's been making some of the best earbuds you can buy for years, and that pedigree shines in the WF-1000MX5: these earbuds might not be radically cutting edge, but as earbuds go in 2023, they're damn near perfect.
Although Black Friday wrapped up this past weekend, the sales are expected to continue until Cyber Monday, and potentially beyond, as we progress into the holiday season. We've already come across a ton of deals on phones, tablets, and earbuds over the past week or so, and there's one more appearing on our radar in the form of the ANC-enabled Sony LinkBuds S.
Sony springs a surprise, rolls out Android 14 for the Xperia 1 V
The company has really stepped up its update game this year
Slow OS updates have long been a problem in the Android ecosystem. Thankfully, things have improved in recent years, especially with Samsung taking charge. Following the release of Android 14, Xiaomi was the first company to seed the update to its selected flagship devices. Samsung followed suit, with the One UI 6 update available for the Galaxy S23 series in limited regions. Sony is now joining them and has officially announced the Android 14 rollout for the Xperia 1 V in Europe.
This early Black Friday deal makes the Sony WF-1000XM5 buds the price they should've been all along
The best buds you can buy at the best price to date are hard to pass up
One of the bigger letdowns of Prime Day Part 2 back in October was that we only saw a measly $30 discount on some of the best wireless earbuds on the market. The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds launched three months ago at the end of July — Sony silently launched them while everyone was distracted by Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic launch — and they'd held fast at their launch price of $300 stubbornly all fall outside that $30 tax rebate of a "deal."
Act fast — today’s your last chance to score these superb Sony headphones for just $38
These wireless cans have a built-in mic and up to 50 hours of battery life
When you think of sub-$50 headphones, you probably imagine poor build and audio quality, limited features, and an unknown brand name. But that's not the case with this Prime Day deal on the Sony WH-CH520 wireless headphones. They are made by one of the—if not the—biggest brands in audio, they have a premium plastic build, and they sound great. The headphones also support some newer features such as Fast Pair and Multipoint, and right now they are on sale for just $38.
Prime Day deal drops Sony's SRS-XB13 Bluetooth speaker to its lowest price yet
Grab a portable speaker that actually sounds good for just $35
Portable speakers are a dime a dozen these days, and there are tons of options available to choose from that range in both size and budget. All will do the job well of being a good audio companion to take along with you on your journeys, but often times you've got to spend top dollar to get one with high quality audio. These premium portable Bluetooth speakers can get pricey, too, so it's a big deal when an offer shows up on one that's both affordable and actually sounds good.
8 awesome gadgets we reviewed in September 2023
The new best Android tablet and best wireless earbuds arrived this month
While the name of our humble little site might be Android Police, a whole host of devices cross our various desks for review each month. August may have been dominated by Samsung's latest watches and folding phones, but September has been a wonderfully diverse — and ridiculously busy — month. Tech-tober might technically start tomorrow, but between a small tidal wave of new Amazon devices, new awesome earbuds from both Bose and Sony, and manufacturers releasing their final devices before the holiday shopping season kicks off, we're spoiled for choice in this month's best reviews.
Sony confirms the Xperia 5 V is not coming to the US
The Xperia 1 V will remain Sony’s focus in the US market for now
Sony makes some impressive Android phones but is not a major player in the US smartphone market. In fact, outside of Japan — its home market — Xperia phones have limited reach, with consumer interest declining in them with every passing quarter. Despite this, the company keeps launching new Xperia phones regularly. Just recently, Sony announced the Xperia 5 V, a compact flagship Android phone with a microSD card and a headphone jack. If you were hoping to pick up the Xperia 5 V when it launched in the US, prepare for disappointment.
Aibo owners can recycle their aging robotic dogs thanks to Sony's new adoption program
Sony’s heart-tugging strategy for preloved robo-pets
In the last couple decades, robots have evolved from mere machines into entities resembling life. Among these, Sony’s Aibo robot dogs stand out, not just for their technical prowess but also for their emotional appeal. With their gleaming eyes and playful digital antics, they've woven themselves into the tapestry of modern tech culture, offering a blend of innovative technology and heartwarming interaction. Today, these endearing robots are poised to embark on a fresh journey.
Sony WF-1000XM5 review: The buds to beat
Great audio + great ANC + great battery life = great earbuds
Sony's high-end earbuds have been widely regarded as the best in the business for years. Its newest, the WF-1000XM5, live up to the legacy, building on the strengths of the previous-gen XM4 — excellent audio quality, top-notch ANC, and marathon battery life — with improvements like larger drivers that can push more bass and a smaller, more comfortable design. At a super-premium price point of $300, there's not much room for error. Thankfully, once again Sony stuck the landing: based on my time with them, the WF-1000XM5 are the best earbuds you can buy today.
Sony Xperia 5 V is the compact flagship Android phone enthusiasts always wanted
Complete with a microSD card slot and a 3.5mm headphone jack
Sony is not a dominant player in the Android smartphone ecosystem. This is despite the company's imaging division supplying camera sensors and other components for the best Android phones. Nonetheless, Sony has not given up on its smartphone division, as it keeps releasing a new Xperia flagship yearly. Even with high-end specs and a headphone jack, 2022's Xperia 5 IV felt a few years late. For 2023, the company is back with its new flagship phone, the Xperia 5 V, packing a next-gen Exmor T camera sensor and an FHD+ 120Hz OLED display.
Sony WF-C700N review: Signature sound without breaking the bank
Premium listening without paying a high premium
Sony is no stranger to the wireless earbud category, and its flagship WF-1000XM line has topped our favorite earbuds roundups for years. Suffice it to say, Sony knows how to make fantastic earbuds. While the WF-C700N earbuds aren’t quite entry-level at $120, the cost-cutting calculus involved in designing great earbuds in this price range is nothing like it is with flagship ones.
Music lovers know that listening to your favorite tunes at any point throughout the day can immediately boost your mood, but it’s even better when you can share that feeling with others. While it’s important to have a great pair of headphones or earbuds for your daily commute and gym workouts, it’s equally important to have a reliable wireless Bluetooth speaker when you're out and about.
Savor every note with up to 40% off select Sony wireless headphones and earbuds
Save up to $100 on a set of Sony noise-canceling cans or buds at Amazon
If you're an audiophile at heart, you know there's a big difference between the sound quality and usability you'd get from a pair of headphones versus a set of earbuds. Both can work well overall, but you want the best experience possible when it comes to audio, whether it's listening to your favorite album or jumping on a call to catch up with friends. Earbuds won't deliver the level of sound quality and detail that a good pair of headphones will, and likewise, headphones won't give you the freedom and versatility of a pair of buds. However, purchasing both can get a bit pricey once you start shopping around.
The Sony WF-1000XM5 are here and they are glossy
The best wireless earbuds just got more expensive, too
Sony has consistently led the industry when it comes to headphones, earbuds, and other audio technologies. Earlier in July, we caught wind that the newest Sony noise-canceling earbuds were going to be announced to the world in short order. Today, Sony did just that, unveiling its new flagship earbuds, the WF-1000XM5.
Sony’s upcoming flagship earbuds could offer a big leap in sound quality
Leaked marketing materials have revealed almost everything about the WF-1000XM5
The Sony WF-1000XM4 are among the best wireless earbuds on the market, and the company has only made them better with updates since launch. But they are nearing their second anniversary, which is a lifetime in the tech world. Sony is preparing to launch its successor, the WF-1000XM5, which appeared in renders in March this year. A new leak has now provided more details about the earbuds, including the switch to bigger drivers.
There are many excellent Bluetooth earbuds out there, like the Sony LinkBuds S that broke cover last year with a mid-tier price tag. What makes the Sony product special is that the company promised to add support for the up-and-coming Bluetooth LE Audio standard in a future update. That day has arrived, sort of, as Sony is reportedly rolling out a beta update for the LinkBuds S carrying support for Bluetooth LE Audio, among other minor additions.