Sony Preps a WH-1000XM4 Reissue: WH-1000XM4C Gains Bluetooth 6.0 at a Lower Price

Sony
20/08/2026

The first official images and data sheet excerpts for the Sony WH-1000XM4C have surfaced online. The headphones are a reissue of the over-ear WH-1000XM4, still regarded by many as the strongest performer in the 1000X line when it comes to active noise cancellation. Judging by the available information, the Japanese manufacturer is preparing a pared-back version of a familiar model to compete with cheaper alternatives from Bose and other brands.

A Familiar Design

Externally the newcomer is almost indistinguishable from the original, with the same earcup and headband construction and the same weight of 253 grams. The clearest way to tell the two apart is the refreshed colour palette.

The NFC logo has disappeared from the left earcup, suggesting that tap-to-pair has likely been dropped as a cost-saving measure. There is no official confirmation of this yet.

According to an insider, the recommended price of the Sony WH-1000XM4C will be around 250 euros (~$290), whereas the original WH-1000XM4 launched six years ago at 379 euros (~$440).

Bluetooth 6.0 and Slightly Shorter Battery Life

The audio hardware appears to be largely unchanged. The headphones again rely on 40 mm drivers, and the stated frequency response runs from 4 to 40,000 Hz. Active noise cancellation is present as well, although the documentation says nothing about how it performs.

The main technical update concerns the wireless module, as the WH-1000XM4C add support for Bluetooth 6.0.

Battery life, however, has slipped a little. The data sheet lists up to 27 hours of playback with noise cancellation switched on, three hours less than the predecessor. With ANC disabled the headphones last up to 34 hours instead of the previous 38.