Sony launches budget XM4C headphones September 7

Sony plans to revive its 2020 flagship headphones as a budget-friendly reboot.

The leaked WH-1000XM4C will launch on September 7 with a $250 price tag, half the cost of Sony’s current WH-1000XM6. Reliable tipster billbil-kun shared details on Dealabs, suggesting the new model keeps the foldable design, 40mm drivers and noise-canceling processor of the original but cuts battery life slightly. The XM4C will retail for €250 in Europe and £220 in the UK, positioning it as a cheaper alternative to Sony’s premium lineup.

The headphones are expected to match the 2020 XM4 in most specs, with only minor updates. Battery life drops from 38 hours without ANC to 34 hours, and from 30 to 27 hours with ANC enabled. New color options include black, platinum silver and lavender. The move reflects Sony’s strategy to counter rising prices by reintroducing older tech at lower costs.

If the leak is accurate, the XM4C could sit awkwardly between Sony’s discounted WH-1000XM5 and its pricier XM6. The strategy may prompt rivals like Apple to consider similar reboots. All details remain unconfirmed, but the revival hints at a broader trend of tech brands revisiting past hits to meet pricing pressures.