Sony relaunches WH-1000XM4 as WH-1000XM4C with minor updates at $300
Sony has revived its acclaimed WH-1000XM4 noise-canceling headphones under a new name, the WH-1000XM4C, after they went out of stock. The refreshed model keeps the same compact folding design and four-microphone ANC setup with the older QN1 chip, but adds a 10-band EQ, a gaming preset, Bluetooth 6 support, and a new lavender color option. Battery life dips slightly to 27 hours from 30, and the headphones will launch this fall for $300.
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The XM4 remained a top pick for years due to its sound quality and compact form, so reviving it lets Sony offer a budget-friendly alternative to the pricier XM6 without redesigning hardware. This also signals that Sony sees continued demand for the older, more compact form factor even as newer models moved to bulkier designs before partially reverting.
- Sony is reissuing the XM4 as the WH-1000XM4C with the same compact design and QN1 chip.
- New features include a 10-band EQ, gaming preset, Bluetooth 6, and a lavender color option.
- Priced at $300, the XM4C undercuts the XM6 by $100 but sacrifices some battery life.
Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones — These are the legendary noise-cancelers the article is all about, now revisited by Sony as the XM4C. The folding, compact design makes them easy to toss in a bag, and they earned their spot atop best-headphone lists for a reason.
See Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: theverge.com — John Higgins, 2026-09-07
Published there as: “Six years later, Sony revisits its legendary XM4 headphones”
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