Now it’s official: As STEREO GUIDE reported on August 9, Sony is bringing back the popular WH-1000XM4 under the model name WH-1000XM4C. The new version of the foldable noise-canceling headphones features updated sound tuning, a 10-band equalizer, and the new lavender color. At 249 euros, the price even matches the earlier leak almost exactly.
Our report in early August about the possible comeback of the Sony WH-1000XM4 was based on leaked retailer information. Now Sony has confirmed the key details: The WH-1000XM4C will indeed be released in September 2026 and will feature the familiar, foldable design of the six-year-old best-selling model.
The presumed positioning is also accurate. Sony describes the new over-ear headphones as an entry-level model in its high-end 1000X series. Above this new model, the current WH-1000XM6 remains in the lineup.
Name, price, and colors confirmed
The leak cited a suggested retail price of 249.99 euros. Sony has now set the official price at a round 249 euros. The colors that surfaced back then—black, silver, and lavender—have also been confirmed, though Sony refers to the light-colored version as “platinum silver.”
The original WH-1000XM4 was released in 2020 and has remained extremely popular despite two successors. There are solid reasons for this: It’s lightweight, comfortable, folds down compactly, and combines effective active noise cancellation with a wide range of features.
In STEREO GUIDE’s review of the Sony WH-1000XM4, the headphones impressed with their balanced, slightly warm sound, precise bass response, and highly effective noise cancellation. With a score of 90 percent, they proved to be one of the best all-around options of their generation.
Updated tuning and 10-band EQ
For the C version, Sony promises a revised sound profile designed to align with current listening habits. The manufacturer hasn’t specified exactly what that means. It’s possible that the bass response will be slightly more powerful, but only a listening test will tell.
The new 10-band equalizer in the Sony Sound Connect app offers more flexibility for custom adjustments. It allows you to fine-tune the frequency response much more precisely than with the previous tone controls.
According to Sony, the WH-1000XM4C carries over the original’s proven core qualities: noise cancellation, comfort, and a foldable design. The manufacturer is targeting these headphones primarily at commuters, travelers, students, and people working from home.
What does the C stand for?
Sony still hasn’t answered a question we asked back in August, even at the official unveiling: What does the extra “C” in the model name stand for?
We had suspected that it might be less of a traditional budget model and more of a “Classic” version. Sony itself still doesn’t use that term, but it does refer to the “return of a true icon.” In that sense, the “Classic” interpretation at least captures the product’s character quite well.
The manufacturer is also being conspicuously vague about the technical details. The press release does not specify the noise-canceling processor used, the Bluetooth version, the drivers, the weight, or the supported codecs.
In particular, the battery life mentioned in the leak remains unconfirmed. According to the leak, the WH-1000XM4C should last up to 27 hours with noise cancellation and 34 hours without it. The original model officially achieved 30 and 38 hours, respectively. Sony has not yet provided any details on this in its German announcement.
This leaves it unclear whether the manufacturer is actually replacing components inside the device or, more likely, simply re-releasing the familiar model with modified tuning and updated app connectivity.
An Affordable Alternative to the WH-1000XM6
At 249 euros, Sony is well below the regular price of its current top-of-the-line model. In the STEREO-GUIDE test, the Sony WH-1000XM6 impressed with, among other things, improved sound quality, powerful noise cancellation, and the return of the foldable design.
The WH-1000XM4C, on the other hand, appeals to buyers who don’t need the latest technology and are looking for a tried-and-true, travel-friendly model at a lower entry-level price. However, the WH-1000XM6 has also recently been offered in stores at prices significantly below its MSRP in some cases. The actual price difference is therefore likely to be a more decisive factor than a comparison of the official suggested retail prices.
Apache 207 Gets Its Own Sound Profile
For the German and Austrian markets, Sony is marking the launch with another campaign centered on Apache 207. The musician has been collaborating with the company since 2023 as part of the “For The Music” initiative.
Prior to the product launch, Apache 207 visited Sony’s headquarters in Tokyo, where he developed a personalized sound profile for the WH-1000XM4C. The custom-tuned equalizer is expected to be available in Germany and Austria via the Sony Sound Connect app starting in the fall of 2026.
According to Sony, the bass-heavy sound profile is inspired by the soundscape of his album “21 Grams.” Fans can also use a QR code to access footage from the trip to Tokyo and other behind-the-scenes content. In addition, there’s a digital smartphone wallpaper and a campaign video featuring music by producer JUMPA.
Sony, however, has not announced a technically standalone special edition of the Apache 207. Based on the information available so far, “WH-1000XM4C × APACHE 207” refers to the campaign and its digital bonus content.
Price and availability
The Sony WH-1000XM4C is now available in lavender, black, and platinum silver. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is 249 euros.
This confirms our previous predictions on the key points. The model name, launch date, price, colors, and its role as an affordable entry-level model in the 1000X series match the leaked details almost exactly. However, the most intriguing question of all remains unanswered: just how much new technology is actually packed into the old case.
For more information, visit the official Sony WH-1000XM4C product page.
