When lowering prices isn’t feasible, revisit past successes.
Faced with increasing prices, Sony appears to be taking a unique approach by reintroducing a model from six years ago, potentially under a revised name and at a lower price. Leaker billbil-kun recently suggested that the company is set to unveil the WH-1000XM4C, which may be priced around $250.
This new iteration is expected to retain most features of the original WH-1000XM4, which was well-received as one of the top headphones of its time. According to the leaks, the primary distinctions between the XM4C and its predecessor may be in battery life and available colors, while the foldable design, 40mm drivers, and noise-canceling technology will likely remain unchanged.
The XM4C is predicted to offer a battery life of up to 34 hours without active noise cancellation (ANC) and 27 hours with it. In contrast, the original model boasted 38 hours without ANC and 30 with, indicating a slight reduction. Anticipated color options for the new model include black, platinum silver, and a fresh lavender hue.
The source, who previously accurately predicted the PS5 Pro announcement for 2024, claims the XM4C will become available on September 7. Its pricing is expected to be €250 in Europe and £220 in the UK.
For comparison, the current WH-1000XM6 retails at about $460 in the US and €470 in Europe, leading us to speculate a similar price range of $240 to $250 for the US market. This positioning may create some confusion, considering that the previous XM5 model is often available for around $250. If those are the options, the XM5 would be the recommended choice.
While these details should be taken with caution, if they prove accurate, we might see other brands adopting similar strategies to handle price challenges. Could we see a renewed version of the AirPods Max in the near future?
