Six years after the WH-1000XM4 became one of the most respected noise-canceling headphones ever made, Sony is bringing the design back with a new model called the WH-1000XM4C. The XM4C arrives after the original XM4 was discontinued in 2025, giving fans a second chance to buy a product that spent years near the top of best-headphone lists. It is not simply old stock. Sony has made a few meaningful updates, even though the new pair looks almost identical to the 2020 model.

In the fall of 2020, Sony and Bose were locked in a particularly intense noise-canceling competition. Every generation seemed to produce a new reference point, and the WH-1000XM4 was one of the major winners of that era. The headphones combined warm, detailed sound, class-leading active noise cancellation, and a compact folding design that made them easy to travel with. They were not dramatically different from the WH-1000XM3, but refinements such as better multipoint Bluetooth, wear detection, and improved call quality helped them earn immediate praise. For years, they remained a default recommendation for anyone seeking comfortable wireless over-ear headphones.

Key facts about the WH-1000XM4C

• Model: WH-1000XM4C
• Price: $300
• Availability: Later this fall
• Battery life: Up to 27 hours with ANC on
• Bluetooth: 6
• EQ: 10-band in the Sony Headphones app
• Colors: White, black, and lavender
• Design: Same compact folding design as the WH-1000XM4

Identical looks, familiar feel

The XM4C look exactly like the original XM4, with the same hinge design and the same ability to fold up into a small, travel-friendly shape. Sony moved away from that compact design when it released the XM5 in 2022, and then returned to a somewhat larger folding design with the XM6. For people who prefer headphones that can collapse into a small pouch or bag, the XM4C is the most convenient shape Sony has offered in several years.

The new lavender color is the clearest visual change. The original XM4 was available in black and silver, and later in a blue variant. The XM4C launches with white and black options from day one, plus lavender. Otherwise, the materials, ear cushions, and buttons are all familiar. The touch controls are placed on the right ear cup, and the headphones still carry the same understated look that made the XM4 popular with commuters, office workers, and travelers.

Familiar noise-canceling hardware, with an upgraded sound profile

On the inside, the XM4C still use the QN1 processing chip and four microphones for active noise cancellation. That hardware is beginning to show its age. The XM5, released in 2022, kept the QN1 chip but increased the microphone count to eight. Last year’s XM6 moved to 12 microphones and a newer QN3 chip, delivering a big step forward in adaptive noise cancellation and voice call quality.

Sony did not redesign the ANC system in the XM4C, but it did update the sound profile to bring it more in line with current models. The XM4C also get a 10-band equalizer in the Sony Headphones app, replacing the 5-band EQ of the original XM4. That gives users much more control over the frequency response. Sony also added a gaming preset, which is intended to make audio cues more pronounced and reduce latency in games.

Another notable update is Bluetooth 6, up from Bluetooth 5 on the original XM4. The newer Bluetooth version should provide a more stable wireless connection and slightly lower power consumption, though Sony’s real-world battery numbers tell a more complicated story.

Battery life takes a small step back

Surprisingly, the XM4C have worse battery life than the original XM4. Sony claims the XM4C can last up to 27 hours with ANC enabled, while the original XM4 was rated for 30 hours. With ANC off, the original could reach about 38 hours; Sony has not yet given an official number for the XM4C with ANC off, but the downgrade is likely to be similarly modest.

For most listeners, a drop from 30 to 27 hours will not matter much. It is still enough for a cross-country flight, a full workday, and then some. But in a market where many premium headphones promise 40 hours or more, the XM4C is not at the top of the battery chart. The XM6, for comparison, offers about 40 hours with ANC on. Even the new budget CH730N from the same announcement claims up to 50 hours, making the XM4C’s figure seem especially dated.

Price and positioning

The XM4C will cost $300 when it goes on sale later this fall. That is $50 less than the original XM4 at launch, though the XM4 was often heavily discounted in its final years. It is also $100 less than the XM6, which remains on sale as Sony’s flagship over-ear model. Still, the XM4C is not exactly a bargain: before the original XM4 was discontinued, shoppers could frequently find it for around $200 or less.

That pricing strategy is interesting. Sony is bringing back a beloved classic at a moderate price while continuing to sell its newer, more advanced XM6 at a premium. In between, the XM5 is still available and has been seen for around $200, though that price may be part of an effort to clear out inventory before the XM4C arrives. The XM5 offer better noise cancellation and a more modern design, but they do not fold as neatly as the XM4C. People who care more about a compact travel shape may choose the XM4C, while people who want the latest ANC performance will likely be drawn to the XM6.

There is also a nostalgia factor to consider. The XM4 built an unusually devoted following during its time on the market. Many reviewers continued to recommend it long after newer models appeared because of its balanced tuning and foldable frame. For fans of that original sound signature, the XM4C is a chance to get a very similar product with a few modern quality-of-life upgrades.

Sony also refreshes its midrange and entry-level lines

Alongside the XM4C, Sony released new versions of two of its less expensive headphone lines: the WH-CH730N and the WH-CH530. Both models receive the same 10-band EQ upgrade and gaming EQ preset as the XM4C. The CH730N, a midrange ANC pair, now folds up into a more compact form, which should make it easier to carry. The CH530 is a no-frills entry-level model aimed at people who want long battery life without spending a lot.

The WH-CH530 cost $70 and come in six colors: black, cobalt, mint green, white, pink, and coral. There is no active noise cancellation on the CH530, but Sony rates the battery at up to 55 hours. The WH-CH730N cost $180 and come in black, blue, oat, white, or pink. They feature active noise cancellation and battery life up to 50 hours, according to Sony. Both pairs are available now.

Sony also added a safe mode to its Headphones app for the CH530 and CH730N, allowing users to limit the maximum volume output. It is a useful feature for parents who want to protect their children’s hearing, although there is no way to lock the limit once it has been set. A determined child could simply reopen the app and raise the volume cap again.

Hello Kitty special editions

Sony is also entering the world of Hello Kitty collaborations. The special bundles will include a choice of the WH-1000XM6, WH-CH730N, or WH-CH530 headphones in black or pink, along with a Hello Kitty-shaped carrying pouch and a Hello Kitty-branded bag. The bundles will be available in limited supply later this year on Sony’s website only.

The Hello Kitty partnership highlights Sony’s broader effort to make headphones feel more personal. From new colors to app-driven EQ presets to character-themed accessories, the company is trying to appeal to a wider range of buyers than it did when the XM4 first launched in 2020.

The return of the XM4C raises a natural question: why bring back a six-year-old design when Sony already has newer models? One reason may be demand. The XM4 remained popular long after it was discontinued, and many online marketplaces continued to sell it at high prices. Another reason could be the growing appeal of smaller, foldable wireless headphones. Sony’s newer flagship headphones have moved away from the compact folding design, leaving a gap for travelers who want serious noise cancellation without bulk.

Regardless of the motivation, the XM4C gives buyers another option in a crowded market. It retains the classic look and sound of the XM4 while adding modern connectivity and useful software features. Whether that is enough to justify the $300 price remains to be seen, especially with the newer XM5 available for less and the XM6 available for more. For those who have been waiting for a second chance at the legendary XM4, though, the XM4C is now on the horizon.

Source:The Verge News