Sony Revives Its XM4 Headphones With a $300 Update

Sony is bringing back one of its most recognizable noise-canceling headphone designs. The new WH-1000XM4C, also described as a second-generation WH-1000XM4, keeps the physical design of the 2020 model while adding selected software and connectivity updates. It is expected to arrive later this fall for $300.

The revival positions the XM4C below Sony’s current flagship rather than replacing it. For listeners who preferred the folding design and familiar controls of the earlier XM4, the announcement creates a new middle option without requiring a move to the company’s most expensive headphones.

What Sony changed in the XM4C

The updated model retains active noise cancellation powered by Sony’s QN1 processor and supports multipoint Bluetooth connections. Sony has refreshed the sound profile, expanded the equalizer from five bands to 10 and added a gaming-oriented EQ preset. The headphones also move from Bluetooth 5 to Bluetooth 6 and include Quick Access for launching supported streaming services.

Battery life is the most noticeable tradeoff. Sony rates the XM4C for up to 27 hours with active noise cancellation enabled, three hours less than the original XM4’s stated figure. A revised quick-charge feature promises about one hour of listening after three minutes of charging, which could matter more to travelers than the lower maximum runtime.

A deliberate alternative to constant redesign

At $300, the XM4C launches for $50 less than the original XM4 cost in 2020. The price still sits above some discounted older models, but buyers receive current availability, updated tuning and newer wireless support in a proven form factor. A new lavender finish joins the more familiar colors, giving the refresh at least one clear visual distinction.

The decision is unusual in a category built around annual upgrades. Instead of discarding a popular design, Sony is testing whether nostalgia and practical familiarity can support a refreshed product. The final value will depend on real-world noise cancellation, sound quality and comfort, but the XM4C already offers a clear proposition: an established shape with selective modernization rather than a complete reinvention.