Highlights
- Sony delays flagship WF-1000XM6 and WH-1000XM6 headphones to 2025.
- LinkBuds and LinkBuds S expected to launch in the coming months.
- Sony’s flagship headphones typically follow a two-year refresh cycle.
- WH-1000XM5 and WF-1000XM5 remain top choices for audiophiles.
There is a mix of excitement and likely disappointment on the horizon for audiophiles eagerly awaiting the next round of Sony headphone options.
According to “Zackbuks”, the company is gearing up to release upgraded LinkBuds and LinkBuds S models sometime this year while only planning to unveil “updates” for the WH-1000XM5 and WF-1000XM5 in the “first half of next year.”
Sony LinkBuds Delayed
NO SONY XM6 SERIES IN 2024
As we were already getting a hunch that there has been no FCC listings or any sort of updates regarding the XM6 we can finally confirm that there will be NO successor to the WH-1000XM5 and WF-1000XM5 this year . It will be coming in the FIRST HALF of… pic.twitter.com/rPC4Jiy041
— INSIDER SONY (@INSIDERSONY) June 4, 2024
While the company is on track to release the second generation of its LinkBuds and LinkBuds S true wireless earbuds in the coming months, flagship offerings are reportedly facing a troubled timeline.
The supposed successors to the brand’s premium in-ear and over-ear headphones, the WF-1000XM6 and WH-1000XM6, are apparently not going to see the light of day this year.
Instead, rumors suggest Sony has scheduled a launch for the first half of 2025.
A 2-Year Cycle on Sony’s Flagships
Sony’s flagship line of headphones has historically been renewed roughly every two years.
The WH-1000XM4 on-ear variant came out in mid-2020, with the over-ear XM5 following in mid-2022.
No XM6 models have been either certified by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or even rumoured for, so far, it seems a 2024 release is out of the question.
While this flagship line appears to have missed its refresh cycle, Sony’s entry-level true wireless earbuds could launch as soon as this year.
The current lineup consists of the LinkBuds and LinkBuds S, and while the names are similar, they satisfy two entirely different use cases.
The original LinkBuds use an open design that keeps ambient sound present in the listening experience, while the LinkBuds S use a more traditional form of noise-cancelling.
Sony’s WH-1000XM5 over-ear headphones were just bundled with the company’s latest Android flagship, the Xperia 1 VI, as a pre-order incentive, underlining the desirability of its audio wares.
It’s likely that whenever the next Xperia flagship model launches—invariably around the middle of the year—it will include the XM6 headphones as a similar incentive.
For now, Sony’s cream-of-the-crop products in its wireless over- and in-ear headphones categories are the WH-1000XM5 and WF-1000XM5, respectively, and audiophiles expect the next versions of the firm’s critically acclaimed audio suite with considerable anticipation.
FAQs
When are the new Sony flagship headphones expected to be released?
The WF-1000XM6 and WH-1000XM6 are now rumoured to launch in the first half of 2025, missing the expected 2024 release.
What is the historical refresh cycle for Sony’s flagship headphones?
Sony’s flagship headphones usually follow a two-year refresh cycle, with the WH-1000XM4 released in mid-2020 and the WH-1000XM5 in mid-2022.
What are the differences between the Sony LinkBuds and LinkBuds S?
The original LinkBuds have an open design that allows ambient sound, while the LinkBuds S feature a traditional noise-canceling design.
What recent bundle included the WH-1000XM5 headphones?
The WH-1000XM5 was bundled with Sony’s latest Android flagship, the Xperia 1 VI, as a pre-order incentive.
Are there any FCC certifications or rumours about the XM6 models?
There have been no FCC certifications or substantial rumours about the XM6 models, suggesting a 2024 release is unlikely.
Also Read: Sony WF-1000XM5 TWS Earbuds Launched in India: Pricing, Specs, Availability, and, More
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