Apple AirPods vs Sony:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Apple AirPods had more branded searches than Sony among ear buds brands in New Zealand. Apple AirPods had about 83,700 branded searches, while Sony had 17,100. Apple AirPods made up 55.3% of all ear buds brand searches we track, and Sony accounted for 11.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about ear buds brands, both Apple AirPods and Sony appeared in all four answers. Sony was mentioned before Apple AirPods in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Apple AirPods, about 5 searches for every 1 for Sony
Who does AI mention more?
Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.
Who does AI recommend more?
Sony, named ahead of Apple AirPods in every answer
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Top ear buds brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, both Apple AirPods and Sony showed up in all four answers. Sony was listed before Apple AirPods in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Sony1st
- Apple AirPods2nd
JBL3rd
Bose4th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Apple AirPods4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- Sony4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- JBL3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Bose2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about ear buds brands
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which ear buds brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best ear buds brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best ear buds brand in New Zealand for everyday listening?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best earbuds”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“wireless earbuds”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.
Is Apple AirPods or Sony more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Apple AirPods and Sony by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all four ear buds brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Apple AirPods, Sony. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Apple AirPods | JBL | Sony | Bose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 55.6% | 24% | 11.5% | 9% |
| Nov 2025 | 54.3% | 25.4% | 11.4% | 8.9% |
| Dec 2025 | 48.6% | 33.4% | 9.8% | 8.2% |
| Jan 2026 | 52.6% | 27.7% | 11.5% | 8.2% |
| Feb 2026 | 58.3% | 23.1% | 11.3% | 7.2% |
| Mar 2026 | 58.5% | 22.3% | 11.6% | 7.6% |
| Apr 2026 | 53.9% | 26.7% | 11.5% | 7.8% |
| May 2026 | 56.6% | 24% | 11.4% | 8.1% |
| Jun 2026 | 56.6% | 24% | 11% | 8.3% |
| Jul 2026 | 55.9% | 24.5% | 11.6% | 8% |
| Aug 2026 | 57.6% | 24.5% | 9.8% | 8.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 55.3% | 26% | 11.3% | 7.4% |
How has the Apple AirPods and Sony comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Apple AirPods was ahead of Sony in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Apple AirPods’ share of searches among ear buds brands in New Zealand moved from 55.6% to 55.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 73.7K to 83.7K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sony’s share of searches among ear buds brands in New Zealand moved from 11.5% to 11.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 15.2K to 17.1K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand ear buds brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Sony gained share of searches among ear buds brands in New Zealand, from 9.8% to 11.3%.
In September 2026, Apple AirPods lost share of searches among ear buds brands in New Zealand, from 57.6% to 55.3%.
How are branded searches counted?
18 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Apple AirPods’ and Sony’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Apple AirPods
12 branded search terms
- airpods
- airpods 2
- airpods 3
- airpods 3 pro
- airpods 4
- airpods max
- airpods pro
- apple airpods
- apple airpods 4
- apple airpods max
- apple airpods pro
- find mine airpods
Sony
6 branded search terms
- sony
- sony camara
- sony cyber shot
- sony wh 1000xm4
- sony wh 1000xm5
- sony wh 1000xm6
Other head-to-heads among ear buds brands
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