Sony WH-1000XM5 flagship headphones leaked; Get ready for a design overhaul

Sony is conquering the audio market with its flagship 1000XM headphone and headphone series. The latest WH-1000XM4 and WF-1000XM4 models are currently considered the best on the market and some of the best that give brands like Sennheiser and Bose QuietComfort competition for their money. However, as it happens almost every year, fans can expect the next version to come out soon. This time around, Sony seems to be planning on releasing headphones first. Why? This is because Sony WH-1000XM5 leaks have already begun to appear online.

One of the websites posted a picture of the WH-1000XM5 headphones, giving us our first look at them. They come in two colors and feel more premium than before. There are rumors that some features will also appear in these future headphones.

Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones via TechnikNews

Updated appearance Sony WH-1000XM5

According to leaked images published by TechnikNews, the 1000XM5 will have a different design – the one that is visible to the naked eye. It’s not like the WH-1000XM4, which looks pretty much the same as the 1000XM3. The ear cups seem to be larger this time around, perhaps with a larger cushion for better active noise cancellation. The headband also has thicker padding, making the headphones comfortable for extended wear. Also, it looks like the On/Off switch changed to a slider and the Custom button renamed to NC/Ambient. The message adds that the WH-1000XM5 will be available in two colors – black and silver.

Expected specifications Sony WH-1000XM5

As for the Sony WH-1000XM5 specs, the headphones are said to boost battery performance by offering up to 40 hours of life with active noise cancellation. That’s about 10+ hours more than the current 1000XM4. We expect battery life to be even longer when used without ANC. However, a larger battery also means that charging times have increased. A full charge of the 1000XM5 can take up to 3.5 hours.

Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones via TechnikNews

While Sony excels in the ANC department when it comes to the WH-1000XM4, the company can improve it even more with the XM5. It is reported that the headphones will use two dedicated chips and three microphones for noise reduction. There may also be support for Bluetooth v5.2, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a USB-C port.

Since this is the first major leak of Sony’s upcoming WH-1000XM5 headphones, it’s unclear exactly when we’ll see an official launch. Sony has yet to tease the product on any of its social media platforms.