Sony WH-1000XM6 Might Launch Before Summer Ends

Nearly three years have passed since Sony unveiled the WH-1000XM5, its top-of-the-line wireless headphones. However, a recent filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) suggests that the successor to the XM5 may be on the horizon. The Walkman Blog identified an FCC Label and Location document filed by Sony on January 22, 2025, for a new pair of headphones with the model number YY2984. Although there is no explicit mention of “WH-1000XM6,” the sequential nature of Sony’s internal headphone model codes (YY1234) suggests a chronological release pattern rather than differences in product type. Consequently, while the timing and details in the diagram imply the presence of the XM6, definitive confirmation is still pending.

Features to Note:

• The design might introduce removable ear cushions, differing from the XM5, which allows for cushion replacement but is not designed for easy removal. The FCC ID information for the XM5 is currently printed on a semi-circular label adhered to the earcup’s mesh grille.

If these headphones are indeed the WH-1000XM6, the diagram indicates that the labeling for the FCC ID has shifted to the inside of the earcup, necessitating the removal of the ear cushion for access. While the diagram does not clarify the attachment method for the cushion, magnets are commonly used in flagship models, similar to devices like the Apple AirPods Max and Master & Dynamic MW75.

Another noteworthy change concerns the junction of the headband and earcup.

Upon the launch of the XM5, Sony veered away from the foldable design of the WH-1000XM4, opting instead for a fold-flat aesthetic with a concealed internal yolk. This change met some criticism from fans who preferred the previous configurations. However, the XM5’s design has raised concerns more over durability than foldability. There’s an active community on Reddit’s r/SonyHeadphones that frequently posts lamentable images of their XM5 headphones, broken at the vulnerable joint where the headband slider meets the pivoting earcup.

From the diagram, it appears Sony is maintaining the concealed yolk but potentially reinforcing the joint connection, possibly through a folding hinge design similar to their ULT Wear headphones introduced in 2024.

The Walkman Blog has also indicated other possible advancements, including:

• Upgraded Bluetooth version 5.3 (BR/EDR/LE), suggesting potential support for LE Audio — consistent with Sony’s recent earbuds like the LinkBuds Open and LinkBuds Fit, both of which feature LE Audio and Auracast capabilities.
• Rapid charging capabilities,
• An enhanced antenna design.

Reports suggest that these new headphones might be scheduled for a launch in May 2025, aligning with the release schedule of the XM5, which debuted in May 2022.

For the moment, we await further developments. As we approach May, it’s likely that we will start seeing leaked images of these new headphones, whether they are the WH-1000XM6 or another model from Sony.