Sony is relaunching the WH-1000XM4 headphones at a steep discount — with one catch
Sony's best-loved headphones are coming back. The WH-1000XM4, originally released in 2020 and since discontinued, is reportedly getting a refresh called the WH-1000XM4C. According to leaker Billbil-kun, it will launch on September 7, 2026 at €249.99 in Europe and £219.99 in the UK — roughly £130 less than the £349.99 the original commanded at launch.
The familiar name, the new angle
The WH-1000XM4C keeps nearly everything that made the original popular: the same QN1 noise-cancellation processor, 40mm drivers, a 10-band customizable equalizer, Hi-Res Audio, DSEE Extreme upscaling, and 360 Reality Audio support. Three colors are available — Black, Platinum Silver, and a new Lavender option that never existed on the 2020 model.
The trade-off is battery life. The original managed 38 hours per charge; the XM4C drops that to 34 hours. Sony hasn't officially said anything yet, but the spec reduction lines up with a lower price point rather than a genuine feature upgrade.
? UPCOMING RELEASE ?
— billbil-kun (@billbil_kun) August 7, 2026
Sony is preparing a new mid-range headphone ?
? Sony WH-1000XM4C
Here are the first details on:
? Specs sheet
? Color options
?️ Release date
? Price
?
? https://t.co/QlvLTVlWA4
What it means in practice
At £219.99, the XM4C undercuts both the current WH-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM6 flagships, and likely beats second-hand XM4 prices on Amazon UK too. That positions it as a genuine entry point into Sony's noise-cancelling lineup without the compromise of a truly budget model.
The leak comes from Billbil-kun via Dealabs, whose track record is strongest on PlayStation-related drops. Hardware leaks are less frequent territory for the leaker, though the pricing and date have since been picked up and corroborated by Notebookcheck and other outlets, which raises confidence.
US pricing and availability have not been announced. UK retail partners — John Lewis, Currys, Amazon UK — have not confirmed stock yet, which is unusual for a major Sony audio launch just days out from the reported release date. Sony's official silence one week before the alleged launch date is worth noting.
The bigger picture
Sony appears to be betting that the XM4's reputation, combined with a lower price, can recapture buyers who skipped the XM5 and XM6 upgrades. The 34-hour battery is the only confirmed spec downgrade, but until Sony speaks officially, it's worth waiting to see whether any other cost cuts surface.
