Sony Plans Budget-Friendly Refresh of WH-1000XM4 Headphones

Reliable industry leaker billbil-kun reports that the upcoming WH-1000XM4C will hit the market priced between $289 and $297. While the current WH-1000XM6 commands a $449 price tag, this refreshed variant targets a lower entry point by retaining the core QN1-powered active noise cancellation, spatial audio, and tactile earcup controls. The hardware remains largely faithful to the 2020 iteration, offering a familiar form factor that many enthusiasts still prefer over subsequent design shifts.

To achieve the lower price, Sony has made minor adjustments to power efficiency. The original WH-1000XM4 boasted 30 hours of playback with noise-canceling active; the new version dips to 27 hours. Despite the slight reduction in battery longevity, the device serves as a strategic replacement for aging units. For users who prioritize the classic folding design—a feature that vanished in the 2022 1000XM5 redesign—this release offers a way to refresh their setup without moving to the more expensive, higher-end models currently dominating the market.