Sony WH-1000XM4C images leak: a $250 reboot with a violet twist and fewer features

Leaked images of the upcoming Sony WH-1000XM4C headphones have surfaced online, courtesy of WinFuture. The new model is essentially a revamped version of the popular WH-1000XM4, but with slightly trimmed specs and a lower price tag of $250/€250.

The design remains largely unchanged, but Sony is adding a new violet color option alongside the existing black and white variants. The WH-1000XM4C will retain the 40mm drivers found in the original XM4, even though newer Sony models have shifted to smaller drivers.

To hit the lower price point, Sony has made some compromises. Battery life is expected to drop by 3–4 hours compared to the original WH-1000XM4. Additionally, the NFC module for quick pairing has been removed. On the positive side, the headphones will support Bluetooth 6.0 and maintain the same lightweight build at 253 grams.

The WH-1000XM4C is positioned as a budget-friendly alternative to the current flagship WH-1000XM6, which has a recommended price of $450/€450. The new model could attract buyers who want the classic XM4 experience at a significantly lower cost, albeit with fewer features and slightly shorter battery life.