Sony Might Be Relaunching One Its Popular WH-1000XM Headphones

It will probably just get a new branding.

Sony recently dropped the 1000X The ColleXion and refreshed the WH-1000XM6 with a new Olive Gray colour, but the Japanese tech giant might not be finished with its wireless headphones lineup just yet. Word on the street is that they are getting ready to re-release one of their popular wireless headphones.

Tech tipster Roland Quandt claims Sony is planning to refresh the trusty old WH-1000XM4, which was released in August 2020. Do not expect a fancy new look though. Quandt reckons this will likely be a lighter, eco-friendly, or budget-focused tweak on the original, branded as an Eco, Lite, or Neo version.

Looks like Sony is doing some kind of lite/neo/eco/whatever version of the WH-1000XM4.

Roland Quandt (@rquandt.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T14:14:16.010Z

Sony will apparently mark these updated models with a C at the end of the stock codes to set them apart from the older ones.

same model numbers, but with a C added at the end.

Roland Quandt (@rquandt.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T14:15:08.231Z

Why Sony would pull a move like this is anyone’s guess, but the XM4s were an absolute hit with fans and remain popular to this day. It makes plenty of sense if Sony simply wants to capitalise on that lasting affection and squeeze a bit more life out of a proven winner.

Of course, this is all just rumour mill fodder for now, so it is best to take it with a pinch of salt until we get an official announcement.