Sony WH-1000XM6 leak reveals return to foldable design, possible US price bump

Sony’s upcoming WH-1000XM6 wireless headphones are expected to bring a familiar yet refreshed design, along with a possible price increase
—at least in some markets.

According to The Walkman Blog, the WH-1000XM6 will return to the foldable design seen in the WH-1000XM4, a move likely to please users who missed the more compact form factor abandoned in the XM5.

While the ear cups are said to remain the same, Sony has reportedly redesigned the headband for this generation, indicating a more refined look and possibly better comfort.

Previous leaks from insider Roland Quandt suggested that the WH-1000XM6 will see about a 10% price increase in Europe compared to the XM5, which currently retails for $398 (PHP ~22,000). That could push the price to the equivalent of around $440 or more in Europe.

However, the situation in the US is a bit more unclear. The Walkman Blog reports that the XM6 could retail for $479 converted from another currency, but the final US pricing may end up lower. A more realistic estimate puts the launch price at around $449, marking a $50 bump from the XM5.

So far, there’s no confirmation on Philippine pricing or availability.

While the official unveiling of the WH-1000XM6 is expected later this May, retail availability might not happen until mid-June and possibly only in select regions at first.

This staggered rollout could see the headphones arrive earlier in key markets like the US, UK, and Japan.

Sony has not yet released official renders, but leaks suggest that first images of the new model could surface soon. Fans of the WH-1000X series will be keeping a close eye, especially if the XM6 delivers improved ergonomics while retaining the brand’s hallmark audio quality and ANC performance.

Stay tuned for more updates as Sony gets closer to launching the next iteration of its flagship over-ear headphones.