Sony to release budget WH-1000XM4C at €250, €100 cheaper than the original

Sony has announced a budget version of its flagship WH-1000XM4 headphones. The new model, dubbed WH-1000XM4C, will go on sale on September 7, 2026, priced at €250 — €100 less than the original model that debuted in 2020.

Unlike the classic color options of its predecessor, the WH-1000XM4C will be available in silver, black, and lilac. This palette is clearly aimed at a younger audience for whom design matters most. In terms of specs, the new model is almost identical to the WH-1000XM4, with one key difference: battery life with active noise canceling turned off drops from 38 hours to 34 hours.

This is not the only recent addition to Sony's headphone lineup. Earlier this year, the company began selling the 1000X The ColleXion, a reissue of the MDR-1000X marking the line's tenth anniversary. Additionally, by the start of this year, Sony introduced the LinkBuds Clip Open — clip-on earbuds that attach directly to the ear.

The WH-1000XM4C is another step by Sony toward making premium noise-canceling technology more accessible. The €100 price cut with nearly identical features makes the new model an attractive option for those unwilling to pay full price for a flagship. Sales kick off in early September 2026.