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Sony WF-1000XM4: New leak points to LDAC support for upcoming premium earbuds

The WF-1000XM4 may have some serious audio upgrades over the WF-1000XM3. (Image source: Reddit)
The WF-1000XM4 may have some serious audio upgrades over the WF-1000XM3. (Image source: Reddit)
A new leak about the WF-1000XM4 has fleshed out some of the details about Sony's upcoming TWS earbuds. Apparently, the WF-1000XM4 will be Hi-Res Audio Wireless certified, which points to the adoption of Sony's high-resolution LDAC codec. The earbuds will support ANC too and up to 18 hours use between charges.

It has only been a day since the first sighting of the WF-1000XM4 appeared, but more details have emerged. Leaked on Reddit and Imgur, the WF-1000XM4 appears to have a radically different design from 2019's WF-1000XM3. Now, the same account has posted another photo that they claim is of the WF-1000XM4 packaging. While we can rule the image out as being that of the WF-1000XM3, we cannot verify its authenticity.

If it is legitimate, then we should expect the WF-1000XM4 to last up to six hours on a single charge, and eighteen hours before its case needs recharging. The WF-1000XM3 offers the same battery life estimates, which may seem strange. However, Sony made no battery life improvements from the WH-1000XM3 to the WH-1000XM4, so we would not be surprised if Sony repeated this with the WF-1000XM4.

The WF-1000XM3 box, for comparison. (Image source: eBay)
The WF-1000XM3 box, for comparison. (Image source: eBay)

Additionally, the earbuds will support active noise cancellation (ANC), although it will probably be a while before we know if Sony has made any upgrades in this regard. The box also contains the logo for Hi-res Audio Wireless certification, which is present on the WH-1000XM4's box.

The WF-1000XM3 supports the AAC and Bluetooth codecs, of which neither could be considered Hi-Res. Hence, it seems likely that the WF-1000XM4 will support LDAC or LHDC. This would be a big upgrade for the WF-1000X line, in our opinion. The WF-1000XM3 sounds good and they cope well without aptX or aptX HD support, but LDAC would probably be a draw for audiophiles if Sony included support for the codec in the WF-1000XM4.

Purchase the Sony WH-1000XM4 on Amazon

The WH-1000XM4 has LDAC support, and Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification. (Image source: Pokde.net)
The WH-1000XM4 has LDAC support, and Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification. (Image source: Pokde.net)

Source(s)

r/sony & Imgur, Pokde.net - Image credit

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2021 02 > Sony WF-1000XM4: New leak points to LDAC support for upcoming premium earbuds
Alex Alderson, 2021-02-22 (Update: 2021-02-22)