To coincide with the ongoing IFA 2026 in Berlin, Sony is updating its highly popular mid-range and entry-level Bluetooth headphones. The over-ear WH-CH730N features active noise cancellation, a foldable design, and up to 50 hours of battery life. The more affordable on-ear WH-CH530 doesn’t have ANC but offers up to 55 hours of battery life. Prices start at 59.99 euros.
While the new WH-1000XM4C rounds out the top end of Sony’s headphone lineup, the WH-CH730N and WH-CH530 are aimed at significantly more budget-conscious buyers. Sony is unveiling both models at IFA 2026, which runs from September 4 to 8. However, these are not merely trade show prototypes; they are already available for purchase.
Both headphones support multipoint connections, LE Audio, Google Fast Pair, and Microsoft Swift Pair. This is designed to make it easy to pair them with smartphones and Windows computers and connect them to two Bluetooth sources at the same time.
Sony WH-CH730N: Finally Foldable
The WH-CH730N is the successor to the WH-CH720N, which was introduced in 2023. Sony has retained the lightweight, over-ear design but has introduced a key improvement for frequent travelers: the new over-ear headphones can be folded up, making them more compact for travel.
The ear cushions and headband are designed to remain comfortable even during extended listening sessions. However, Sony has not yet provided details on the exact weight and dimensions.
The Sony WH-CH720N impressed in the STEREO-GUIDE test with rich bass reproduction, effective noise cancellation, and a sophisticated app. We were less impressed by the somewhat flimsy build quality and the ANC’s interference noise in windy conditions. A hands-on test will have to show whether Sony has addressed these shortcomings in the successor model.
50 hours of noise-canceling playback
Battery life promises a significant improvement. The WH-CH720N officially lasted up to 35 hours with noise cancellation turned on. The WH-CH730N is now said to last up to 50 hours—and, it should be noted, with ANC also active.
This means that the new mid-range headphones, with noise cancellation turned on, achieve the maximum playback time that their predecessor could only manage without ANC. Three minutes of charging should provide enough power for another hour of music playback.
For active noise cancellation, Sony is once again relying on dual noise sensor technology. Microphones detect ambient noise, which the electronics use to generate an anti-phase signal to reduce noise. Sony has not yet revealed the extent of the technical improvements compared to the WH-CH720N.
AI Is Expected to Make Phone Calls Easier to Understand
Voice transmission during phone calls and video conferences has also been improved. Sony combines beamforming microphones with optimized microphone placement and AI-powered noise cancellation.
In this case, the artificial intelligence is not used for active noise cancellation while listening to music, but is designed to isolate the wearer’s voice from distracting ambient noise during conversations. This is particularly useful when on the go or in open-plan offices.
Other features include customizable sound settings, multipoint Bluetooth, LE Audio, Fast Pair for Android devices, and Swift Pair for Windows computers. The German announcement does not provide details on the Bluetooth version, the drivers used, or the supported audio codecs.
The previous model was limited to SBC and AAC. It therefore remains to be seen whether the WH-CH730N will be the first model in this series to support LDAC.
Sony WH-CH530: Affordable On-Ear Headphones with a 55-Hour Battery Life
The WH-CH530 is even more affordable. These compact on-ear headphones still do not feature active noise cancellation and are designed for users looking for a simple Bluetooth headset for music, videos, online classes, and virtual meetings.
Soft ear cushions and the lightweight design are intended to ensure a high level of comfort. This is precisely where Sony has some ground to make up: While the WH-CH520 was lightweight, affordable, and durable in our test, the cushions quickly became warm under the ears, and the loose fit did not provide enough support in every situation.
In terms of sound quality, the previous model impressed with good bass and appealing spatial depth, but was only average when it came to vocals and detail resolution. Sony’s press release does not indicate whether the WH-CH530 features a new driver tuning.
Longer battery life and faster charging
The maximum battery life has increased from 50 to 55 hours compared to the WH-CH520. The improvement in the fast-charging feature is even more significant: after three minutes of charging, the WH-CH530 is said to provide up to 90 minutes of playback. With the previous model, three minutes of charging provided about one and a half hours of playback—so, mathematically speaking, the figure remains the same; Sony is simply highlighting the feature more prominently now.
Even the entry-level model supports Multipoint, LE Audio, Fast Pair, and Swift Pair. It also features physical buttons for playback control and support for voice assistants.
The WH-CH530 also uses AI-powered ambient noise cancellation for phone calls. Sony should be careful to avoid any misunderstanding with its choice of words: This feature is intended solely to improve voice quality during hands-free calls. The WH-CH530 does not have active noise cancellation for the earpiece.
Six colors for the WH-CH530
Sony offers the entry-level model in six different colors. In addition to black, white, and pink, you can choose from cobalt, coral, and mint. The three bolder shades, in particular, set the WH-CH530 apart from the competition, which tends to feature more subdued colors.
The WH-CH730N is available in black, white, pink, blue, and beige. This means that even the ANC model offers a significantly wider selection than many mid-range headphones.
Special versions with a USB-C cable
In addition to the standard models, Sony is introducing the WH-CH735N and WH-CH535 retail versions. The difference is minor: these models come with a USB-C cable included. They are available only from select retailers.
Sony does not mention any other technical differences. The manufacturer is apparently responding to varying preferences among retailers and consumers: Those who already own enough USB-C cables will receive the headphones without an additional one; others can specifically choose the version that comes with one.
Prices and availability
The new Sony headphones are now available:
- Sony WH-CH730N and WH-CH735N: 119.99 euros
- Sony WH-CH530 and WH-CH535: 59.99 euros
With its foldable design and an ANC battery life extended to 50 hours, the WH-CH730N in particular offers meaningful improvements. The WH-CH530 sees less significant improvements. However, LE Audio, enhanced voice transmission, and the wide range of color options also bring this affordable on-ear model more in line with current trends.
How the new models sound and whether Sony has been able to address the build quality and comfort issues of their predecessors remain to be seen until we test them. So far, key technical details regarding drivers, weight, Bluetooth version, and codecs are also missing.
For more information, visit the official product pages for the Sony WH-CH730N and the Sony WH-CH530.
