1 min readA patent filing submitted to the FCC may have offered us a sneak peek at Sony's next set of noise-cancelling headphones.
As originally reported by The Walkman Blog, Sony has submitted the as-of-unannounced follow-up to the Sony WH-1000XM5s for approval by American regulators. For those not keeping too many tabs on this stuff, this is a formality that device with any form of wireless connectivity has to go through before being launched in the North American market. Every incarnation of the Sony WH-1000X has gone through this same rigmarole.
The FCC filing reveals a number of technical details about the headset, most of which suggests that the Sony WH-1000XM6 won't be a huge departure from its predecessors. On the inside, it'll have an identical battery to 2022's WH-1000XM5 bolstered by more modern Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity.
Meanwhile, on the outside, the patent filing suggests that Sony's next set of noise cans could feature a redesigned hinge and detachable ear cups similar to those found on the Sonos Ace and AirPods Max. Given how the likes of Sonos and Dyson has shaken up in the noise-cans category over the past year by putting more of a focus on the way that high-end consumer headphones look and feel, it's not super shocking to see Sony follow that lead.
Likewise, the news that a new set of Sony's noise-cancelling headphones are coming down the line isn't entirely unexpected. The company last updated the line in 2022, with the WF-1000XM5s getting a makeover in 2023. In any case, we'll have to wait and see how closely the finished product hews to the details exposed by this patent filing. If the past is any precedent though, it seems like we won't have to wait too long.
The Walkman Blog noted that the confidentiality period for the filing ends on July 22 2025, so it's probably safe to expect a full announcement by Sony sometime between then and now.
