Sony WH-1000XM6 is here – and yes, they fold again

After months of speculation, FCC filings, and Reddit theories, Sony has officially dropped the WH-1000XM6, the much-anticipated follow-up to its fan-favourite Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones.

On paper, the changes might not seem revolutionary, but don’t let that fool you. The Sony ‘Mark 6’ brings thoughtful improvements, reintroduces foldability (finally!), and adds some under-the-hood upgrades that should matter to anyone serious about sound. Here’s everything of note you need to know about.

Sony WH-1000XM6: Everything you need to know

One of the most noticeable changes is something Sony took away with the XM5 – foldability. And now it’s back with the XM6. The headphones feature a redesigned metal hinge that lets the earcups collapse inward again, making them far easier to stash in a bag or carry-on. It’s a small but meaningful upgrade for commuters and frequent flyers.

The overall aesthetic is still minimalist and premium, available in black, platinum silver, and a new midnight blue finish.

Sony’s noise-canceling game is already top-tier, but the XM6 pushes it further with an updated QN3 chip and a 12-mic setup. That means improved Active Noise Cancelation, smarter Adaptive Sound, and a more natural-sounding Ambient Mode.

Sony claims it’s using AI-trained models to better replicate real-world sound during passthrough, making conversations (or traffic alerts) more lifelike without removing your headphones.

You can also now talk to your headphones, literally. Voice commands like “Hey headphones, noise canceling on” work without touching a button.

Despite being one of the most requested features, there’s still no IP rating for water or sweat resistance though.

Moving on, Sony is one of the first to bring Auracast support to premium headphones. What’s that? Think of it as public Bluetooth broadcasting which is ideal for shared audio in airports, museums, or group listening.

The XM6 also supports Bluetooth 5.3 and is compatible with LE Audio, meaning lower latency and better power efficiency (unless you’re an Apple user, in which case, you’re still stuck in the SBC universe).

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Battery life gets a bump too; up by over 5 hours compared to the XM5, bringing the total to nearly 40 hours with ANC off. Fast charging remains unchanged though. Three minutes gets you three hours of playback. USB-C is still your charging port, and you’ll find both a USB-A to C cable and 1.2m AUX cable in the box.

Sony WH-1000XM6: Pricing

The Sony WH-1000XM6 is available now at $449.99  (approximate Rs 42,709), a $50 hike over the XM5. That puts it in direct competition with the likes of the Apple AirPods Max and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones.

Pricey? Absolutely. But Sony’s clearly leaning into premium territory here, and betting that users will pay for meaningful, if not mind-blowing, upgrades. So far, there’s been no word on an India launch date, but if you want to be updated as soon as they launch, stay tuned to Unboxed to Croma.