TL;DR
- The Sony WH-1000XM6 are launching on May 15.
- The headphones leaked just a day ago, with an Amazon listing revealing their complete specifications and a separate leak revealing their design.
- Sony has now officially confirmed the launch date.
Three years in the making, the Sony WH-1000XM6 are finally on the horizon. Sony has officially confirmed that its next-generation noise canceling headphones will launch on May 16. Yes, we’re just days away from the debut of what could be the best ANC headphones of the year.
The confirmation comes via Sony Australia, which posted a teaser video on Instagram revealing the launch date. The short clip shows the silhouette of a pair of headphones with the timestamp May 16, 2 AM AEST — translating to May 15, 12 PM ET for those in the US.
This announcement comes hot on the heels of an early Amazon listing that spilled the beans on most of the XM6’s key specs (see table below). One of the standout upgrades is the introduction of a new QN3 processor, reportedly seven times faster than the QN1 chip found in the WH-1000XM5, promising even more powerful noise cancelation and smarter audio processing.
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | |
|---|---|
|
Noise cancelling |
QN3 HD Noise Cancelling
12 microphones Multi Noise Sensor technology Auto NC Optimizer |
|
Battery |
30 hours |
|
Audio |
30mm drivers |
|
Other features |
Adaptive Sound Control |
|
Connectivity |
Multipoint connection |
|
Ports |
USB-C |
|
Dimensions |
Height: 25.69 cm |
|
In-box |
Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones |
|
Colors |
Black |
|
Design |
Foldable |
|
Compatibility |
Android |
Meanwhile, a fresh leak from The Walkman Blog has given us our best look yet at the WH-1000XM6. The leaked images of the headphones show off redesigned ear cups, a thicker, foldable hinge, and a wider headband — all signs that Sony is prioritizing comfort and durability. Perhaps one of the most exciting rumors is that the WH-1000XM6 might finally offer water resistance, a long-requested feature that was notably absent from its predecessor.
The timing of the launch is also worth noting. The WH-1000XM6 are landing just days after Sony’s latest flagship phone, the Xperia 1 VII. Looks like Sony is firing on all cylinders this May
