When it comes to audio equipment, and headphones specifically, Sony is up there with all the big boys - you know, Samsung, Apple. Some might even argue that the Japanese company has the best noise-canceling tech in the industry.
There's a good reason the WH-1000XM5 over-the-ear headphones can be found in pretty much every best headphones list on the internet (ours included). And now we have information about the next model that seems to be coming shortly, the Sony WH-1000XM6.
When we say "information," we actually mean ALL the information, thanks to a premature listing that was accidentally published on Amazon Spain and spotted by Reddit user peruho. Unsurprisingly, the listing has been taken down, but the guys at Dealabs were able to snap a screenshot and put it up for all of us to see.
Sadly, there's no image of the actual headphones, but the specs sheet is pretty detailed. The screenshot is pretty low-quality, so we pulled up the information and arranged it neatly in a pretty table. Here's what you need to know.
Sony WH-1000XM6 leaked specifications:
Sony WH-1000XM6*
Noise cancelling
QN3 HD Noise Cancelling 12 microphones Multi Noise Sensor technology Auto NC Optimizer
Adaptive Sound Control Quick Attention Background Music Personalized Spatial Audio Wind Noise Reduction 360 Reality Audio with head tracking Speak to Chat
Connectivity
Multipoint connection Bluetooth 5.3
Ports
USB-C 3.5mm jack
Dimensions
Height: 25.69 cm Width: 20 cm Depth: 7.83 cm Weight: 254 g
In-box
Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones Carrying case USB Type-C charging cable 3.5mm Jack audio cable (length 1.2m)
Colors
Black Platinum Silver Midnight Blue
Design
Foldable Adjustable Closed
Compatibility
Android iOS PC Mac
Price
$449.99
*based on leaked information
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs WH-1000XM5: Main Differences
Looking at the specs table above, it's important to put all those features and specs into perspective. The previous model already raised the bar for noise cancellation, but it seems that Sony is amping up its game in this department with the WH-1000XM6. Here are the main differences between the two models.
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Sony WH-1000XM6 vs WH-1000XM5*
New QN3 real-time noise-canceling processor vs QN1
A little heavier at 254 grams versus 250 g for the previous model
Bluetooth 5.3 versus 5.2 on the XM5
6 microphones on each cup for a total of 12 vs 10 mics for the XM5
New Platinum Silver color but the Smoky Pink is missing
More expensive starting at $449 versus $399 for the previous model
All other specs look pretty much the same (codecs, features)
*based on leaked info
Even though the differences might not be that many, a new noise-suppressing chip and two additional microphones sound like a decent upgrade. The WH-1000XM5 uses the QN1 chip, so Sony is skipping one generation, going straight to the QN3, which will potentially bring even better noise cancellation and sound quality.
The retail box content (and the included 1.2mm 3.5mm cable, specifically) also hits that Sony is going to keep the 3.5 mm jack on the WH-1000XM6, which is a good thing, as you can use the headphones both in wireless and wired mode. There's also a carrying case included, which isn't a new thing, as all previous models from the series came with cases in the retail package.
The leaked Sony WH-1000XM6 Amazon Spain listing | Image by Dealabs"
Finally, there's not much difference when it comes to colors. The previous model is available in four hues - Black, Midnight Blue, Silver, and Smoky Pink, while, according to the leaked listing, the WH-1000XM6 will launch in only three colors - Black, Platinum Silver, and Midnight Blue.
The report from Dealabs also includes a retail price for the WH-1000XM6. According to the information, these headphones will launch in the US between May 14 and May 16 (the listing says May 15) at $449.99. This is a $50 price jump compared to the previous generation, which launched for $399 last May.
Are you excited about the next flagship headphones by Sony? Would you buy them at $449.99? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
Mariyan, a tech enthusiast with a background in Nuclear Physics and Journalism, brings a unique perspective to PhoneArena. His childhood curiosity for gadgets evolved into a professional passion for technology, leading him to the role of Editor-in-Chief at PCWorld Bulgaria before joining PhoneArena. Mariyan's interests range from mainstream Android and iPhone debates to fringe technologies like graphene batteries and nanotechnology. Off-duty, he enjoys playing his electric guitar, practicing Japanese, and revisiting his love for video games and Haruki Murakami's works.
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