Sony Reportedly Launching A Cheaper WH-1000XM4 Variant Soon

Sony is reportedly preparing to release a more affordable version of its highly-rated WH-1000XM4 headphones. This comes from a series of recent leaks, primarily from two sources: Roland Quandt on Bluesky and Billbil-kun. The successor to the discontinued WH-1000XM4 is expected to be labeled as the WH-1000XM4C, a codename that hints at a "lite, neo, eco, or unknown" iteration of the original.

The new variant is anticipated to be launched under the name WH-1000XM4C, and it will be available in a trio of colour choices: Platinum Silver, Black, and Lavender. The pricing is also expected to be lower, with an estimated GBP219.99 (~RM1,214) in the UK and EUR249.99 (~RM1,178) in Europe. In Malaysia, the original WH-1000XM4 priced at RM1,599.

The new headphones will retain nearly all the specifications of the original, featuring a foldable design, 40mm drivers, and the QN1 noise-cancelling processor. However, the new model is expected to have a reduced battery life of 34 hours when noise cancellation is disabled, compared to the original's 38 hours. The most significant difference between the two models will be the price, with the cheaper variant set to be offered at GBP219.99 (~RM1,214).

These details have been reported by two prominent leakers, Roland Quandt and Billbil-kun. The launch of the WH-1000XM4C is scheduled for September 7, 2026. However, these rumors have not been confirmed by Sony, so they should be treated with caution.