Sony’s next flagship true-wireless earbuds are no longer a mystery. Over the past few weeks, multiple leaks—including retailer listings and regulatory filings—have given us our clearest picture yet of the WF-1000XM6. While Sony hasn’t officially announced the earbuds, enough details have surfaced to outline what’s changing, what’s staying familiar, and what buyers should realistically expect.
If you’ve been considering the WF-1000XM5 but haven’t pulled the trigger yet, the XM6 leaks suggest it might be worth waiting a little longer.
A Noticeable Design Change After Two Generations
The biggest visible shift is in the earbud shape. Sony appears to be moving away from the rounded, spherical design used on the XM4 and XM5. Leaked images show a more oval, pill-shaped form factor, closer to what we see from other premium earbuds on the market.
One welcome change is the return to a matte finish. The glossy exterior of the XM5 divided opinion—many users found it slippery and prone to fingerprints. The XM6’s matte texture should improve grip and everyday usability, while also giving the earbuds a more understated, premium look.
From the side profile, the earbuds still appear relatively thick. Historically, this extra bulk has allowed Sony to use larger drivers and advanced processing hardware, so this isn’t necessarily a downside. Some leaked images also suggest a slightly larger sound nozzle, which could indicate refinements to bass response and overall sound tuning—though this remains unconfirmed.
A Redesigned Charging Case
The charging case is also getting a makeover. Instead of the compact, rounded case used with the XM5, the WF-1000XM6 appears to ship with a more angular, boxier case. The design is visually closer to Sony’s earlier true-wireless models than its most recent ones.
Whether this new case is more or less pocket-friendly remains to be seen, but it’s clearly a stylistic departure rather than a minor tweak.
Sony also seems to be sticking with foam eartips, continuing a choice it has made since the XM4. Foam tips typically provide better passive noise isolation and comfort, even if they require more care than silicone alternatives.
Colour Options at Launch
Current leaks consistently show Black and Platinum Silver variants at launch. A third colour—often described as a pink or sand-toned option—has appeared in some reports, but it has not been consistently confirmed across multiple sources.
At this stage, it’s safest to assume black and silver are guaranteed, with additional colours possibly arriving later.
Pricing: Competitive, but Region-Dependent
Pricing information has leaked from several regions, and the key takeaway is this: pricing will vary by market.
In Europe, listings point to a price around €299.99, which is slightly lower than the WF-1000XM5’s launch price. In other regions, including parts of Asia, leaked prices convert to figures that are closer to—or slightly higher than—the XM5’s original pricing.
Rather than a clear global price drop, Sony appears to be aiming for more competitive positioning, especially as strong budget and mid-range ANC earbuds continue to improve rapidly.
Expected Launch Window
Multiple indicators point toward an early 2026 launch, most likely in February.
Replacement accessory listings and retailer timelines suggest Sony is preparing for retail availability toward the second half of February 2026. This timing aligns with Sony’s usual two-to-three-year refresh cycle for its flagship earbuds, following the WF-1000XM5’s mid-2023 release.
What We Know (and Don’t Know) About the Tech Inside
Confirmed and widely supported details include:
Active Noise Cancellation and transparency modes
IPX4 water resistance
Three visible microphones per earbud, likely improving ANC and call quality
A 3.85V internal battery, consistent with previous models
Beyond that, things become more speculative.
Earlier regulatory filings have fueled rumors of:
A new chipset, possibly from MediaTek
AI-based audio upscaling, often referred to as DSEE Ultimate
However, Sony has not confirmed these features, and major outlets are treating them as rumors rather than established facts.
Battery life has also not been confirmed. To stay competitive, Sony will likely aim to at least match the XM5’s total playback time, but exact figures remain unknown.
Should You Buy the WF-1000XM5 or Wait?
The WF-1000XM5 remains an excellent pair of earbuds, especially if you can find them at a discounted price. Sound quality and noise cancellation are still among the best in the category.
That said, the WF-1000XM6 looks set to address some common XM5 complaints—most notably the glossy finish—while refining the design and potentially improving connectivity and call performance. If you can wait a few weeks, the XM6 will give you a clearer choice between buying the newest model or picking up the XM5 at a reduced price.
For users coming from the XM4 or earlier generations, the XM6 should represent a meaningful upgrade, even if the changes are evolutionary rather than revolutionary.
The Bottom Line
The Sony WF-1000XM6 is shaping up to be a carefully refined successor, not a dramatic reinvention. Design tweaks, a return to matte materials, competitive regional pricing, and subtle hardware upgrades suggest Sony is listening to user feedback while protecting its position in the premium ANC market.
Until Sony makes an official announcement, some details remain uncertain—but based on current leaks, the WF-1000XM6 looks like a polished, sensible evolution of one of the best true-wireless earbud lines available today.
An official reveal now feels imminent.
