Sony Rumored to Revive 2020 WH-1000XM4 Headphones at Lower Price

Leak Points to $250 XM4 Revamp Slated for September

Sony could be preparing to relaunch its highly regarded WH-1000XM4 headphones under a new model name, the WH-1000XM4C, according to a leak from Dealabs tipster billbil-kun, who previously nailed the PlayStation 5 Pro announcement. The revived model would reportedly carry a price tag of around $250 in the U.S., roughly half the cost of the current flagship WH-1000XM6, which retails for $460.

The hardware appears virtually unchanged from the 2020 original — the same foldable design, 40mm drivers, and noise-canceling processor — with only two tweaks: a slightly reduced battery life (34 hours without ANC, 27 with it, versus the original's 38 and 30 hours) and the addition of a lavender color option alongside black and platinum silver. European pricing is whispered at €250 and £220, with a launch date of September 7.

If accurate, the move resurrects a beloved product that Engadget once called the best of its generation, but at a strange point in Sony's lineup. The last-generation XM5 is already frequently discounted to the same $250 level, raising questions about how the XM4C would fit without cannibalizing sales.

Why Sony May Turn Back the Clock on Headphone Design

Sony's Pricing Dilemma

Premium wireless headphone prices have climbed steadily in recent years, with flagship models from Sony, Bose, and Apple now routinely exceeding $400. By reissuing the XM4, Sony can target buyers unwilling to pay that premium while preserving the XM6's pricing power. Reusing six-year-old tooling, components, and supply chains slashes development costs, allowing a lower sticker price without sacrificing margin — a classic tactic when new innovation is hard to justify at the high end.

The Cannibalization Question

At $250, the XM4C would sit perilously close to deeply discounted XM5 units, which often sell at the same price. That risks confusing consumers and eating into higher-margin XM5 sales. On the other hand, the XM4C could pull in buyers who simply won’t consider a $400+ pair, expanding the overall addressable market. How Sony manages channel pricing and messaging will determine whether this is a volume play or a margin headache.

What It Says About the Premium Audio Market

If Sony successfully mines its back catalog for a budget hit, rivals may follow suit — an “AirPods Max 1C” might not be so far-fetched. The strategy also hints that meaningful breakthroughs in ANC and audio quality have become scarce, pushing brands toward nostalgia and price segmentation rather than leapfrog innovation.

What the XM4C Rumor Means for Buyers and the Market

For consumers: If the leak holds, those who value Sony’s proven ANC and foldable design can likely save 40–50% versus the XM6 by waiting until September. Expect slightly shorter battery life and no USB-C audio or newer features, but the core experience should be identical to the acclaimed XM4. Be ready to compare real-world pricing, as retailers may further discount the XM5 to compete.

For competitors: Bose, Sennheiser, and other mid-premium headphone makers should watch how aggressively Sony prices and promotes the XM4C. A successful lower-cost high-performance option could force them to reconsider their own product lineups and discounting strategies, especially in the $200–300 sweet spot.

For investors: While a single product launch won’t move Sony’s needle, a volume-driven approach in headphones could lift profitability in the audio segment over time. Track Sony’s next earnings commentary for any mention of supply chain cost management or targeted market-share expansion in personal audio.