Anticipating the WH-1000XM6: Sony’s Next Generation of Noise-Canceling Headphones
In May 2022, Sony unveiled the WH-1000XM5, a pair of premium over-ear headphones renowned for their exceptional noise-canceling capabilities. Remarkably, nearly three years have passed since that launch!
If you’ve been eagerly awaiting news of a new model, your patience is about to be rewarded. The upcoming WH-1000XM6—yes, another catchy name—has been spotted with the model number YY2984. Notably, this iteration seems to introduce removable earpads alongside an updated hinge design.
Enhanced Durability and Customization
The inclusion of replaceable earpads could significantly enhance the durability of the headphones. In theory, if your earpads become worn out or damaged over time, Sony might offer replacements directly. Potentially even more exciting is the possibility of interchangeable earpad colors, allowing users to personalize their listening experience.
Technical Specifications and Features
The WH-1000XM6 is expected to utilize Bluetooth 5.3 technology; however, it remains uncertain if this will enable support for Bluetooth LE audio functionalities. Additionally, sources suggest that MediaTek may provide the system-on-chip (SoC) powering these headphones. Users can also look forward to fast-charging capabilities in this new model while retaining a similar driver size as that found in its predecessor.
Timeline for Release
The confidentiality period with FCC concludes on July 22, 2025; however, this does not guarantee an announcement on that date but simply indicates when images and user manuals will become publically accessible through regulatory channels. To put things into perspective regarding timelines: The release announcement for XM5 models came approximately 13 weeks prior to their confidentiality expiration with FCC regulations in place. Given that confidentiality ends slightly earlier now than it did previously—possibly as soon as April—we can anticipate a potential reveal within just a few months.
Source: GSM Arena