It's been roughly three years since Sony blessed our ears with the WH-1000XM5, its current king of noise-cancelling headphones. But the rumors and leaks have started trickling in – might we be about to see the WH-1000XM6?
Certification Suggests Launch May be Just Around the Corner
Well, the rumor mill started churning when a Sony device appeared in FCC filings. More often than not, this is a good sign that the product isn't far from its official announcement. Though details remain unclear, the fact of its certification is pretty much a surefire hint that the next flagship headphones from Sony are indeed real.
A Glimpse at a Redesigned Build?
Intriguingly, some schematic images were included with the certification documents, and one eagle-eyed observer has spotted what looks like a redesigned hinge for the earcups. The plot thickens: could Sony be considering going back to a foldable design similar to the much-loved XM4?
While the XM5 went for a more streamlined, non-folding approach, fans of the foldable structure found the XM4 far more portable. Going back to this may signal a welcome move: sleekness married with practicality. The schematics indicate that the earpads could be removable, possibly attached via magnets or some other easy-to-remove mechanism. This could be for user-replaceable pads or simply to access model and certification information required by the FCC.
Bluetooth 5.3 and Beyond?
The FCC listing also confirms Bluetooth 5.3 support. While not a massive leap from current standards, it's a solid, up-to-date inclusion. Beyond that, details are scarce. However, it's practically a given that the WH-1000XM6 will continue the series' legacy of top-tier active noise cancellation. And battery life? We’d certainly expect it to match or exceed the XM5's impressive 40-hour mark.
MWC 2025: A Potential Launchpad?
So, when might we actually see these headphones? There's a good chance Sony could unveil the WH-1000XM6 at MWC, or Mobile World Congress, in early March 2025. It's a big tech show, and perfectly timed for a spring product launch. Of course, this is just speculation for now, but keep your ears-and eyes-peeled!
