Leak: Sony’s WF-1000XM4 are looking like amazing high-end earbuds

Sony’s upcoming WF-1000XM4 earbuds, a replacement for the already quite good WF-1000XM3, have been leaking extensively over the past couple of months. But thanks to a report by WinFuture, we are now getting our clearest look yet at the devices — including some notable specs. Behold:

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You can find more images in WinFuture’s report.

The seemingly official renders, show a very different design from the XM3s, one that’s apparently smaller — or at least more bulbous. The case definitely looks smaller, which I appreciate as the XM3’s case was absolutely ginormous compared to most options on the market.

Here’s what else the report has to say:

• The XM4’s will apparently support Sony’s LDAC codec, which is the gold standard for Bluetooth audio quality
• The headphones will be able to last 8 hours on a single charge with ANC on, with two more full charges in the case, for a total of 24 hours. While the total time isn’t more than most other earbuds, the single-charge duration should make them useful for long-flights
• With ANC off, you get an extra four hours per charge, so 12 hours on a single charge and 36 hours total.
• Speaking of ANC, Sony’s new V1 processor will reportedly improve noise-cancelling sound quality
• The headphones will be IPX4 water-resistant
• They’ll support Qi wireless charging and USB-C charging
• A new ‘Precise Voice Pickup’ technology should help improve microphone quality
• There will be at least black and white color options

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They WF-1000XM4 (I really wish Sony would come up with a better name, that’s a bit of a pain to type) will retail for €279.90, or approximately $341. The XM3’s retailed for €250/$230, so I’d expect the US price to be somewhere between $300 and $350.

That definitely puts them more towards the premium price bracket for wireless earbuds, but with LDAC onboard, Sony has some more audiophile appeal. With the headphones reportedly making an appearance in June, it shouldn’t be long until we find out more.