Sony to revive WH-1000XM4 design as budget-friendly WH-1000XM4C
The electronics giant is repurposing a 2020 chassis with Bluetooth 6.0 to fill a mid-range price gap.
Sony is preparing to re-launch its 2020 WH-1000XM4 over-ear headphones as a more affordable model designated as the WH-1000XM4C. The move allows the company to offer a high-quality active noise cancellation (ANC) alternative to its current premium flagship.
The upcoming WH-1000XM4C will maintain the original design of the 2020 model but introduces a significant internal update. According to reports from Android Authority and 9to5Google, the headphones will upgrade to Bluetooth 6.0, a substantial jump from the Bluetooth 5.0 found in the original XM4. This revived model is aimed at a budget-friendly price point, expected to be approximately $250.
Market Context
The original WH-1000XM4, released in 2020, remains highly regarded in the industry for its sound quality and noise cancellation capabilities. However, as Sony has moved its flagship line forward, the current top-tier model, the WH-1000XM6, now carries a premium price tag ranging between $400 and $450. By returning to a proven, popular chassis, Sony is effectively filling a pricing void between its entry-level gear and its high-end professional offerings.
Why It Matters
This strategy enables Sony to capture the mid-range market—specifically the $250 to $300 bracket—without the need to develop an entirely new hardware platform. By leveraging a design that users already trust and updating the connectivity standards, Sony can provide a "premium-lite" experience. This allows the company to compete more aggressively with lower-cost rivals while ensuring that the budget-friendly model does not cannibalize the sales of the more expensive WH-1000XM6 flagship.
What's Next
While the core existence of the WH-1000XM4C and its Bluetooth 6.0 upgrade have been confirmed across multiple tech outlets, some specific details remain unverified. Industry observers are still waiting for official confirmation regarding the exact launch date and whether any technical trade-offs, such as changes to battery life or the removal of certain pairing features, were made to hit the lower price point. Sony has yet to release an official statement regarding the product's availability.