Sony WH-1000XM5 leaks with a major redesign, longer battery life and new drivers
Technik News has leaked the WH-1000XM5, two months after Sony's upcoming headphones appeared on the FCC. While the FCC's documentation provided limited details of the WH-1000XM5, Technik News has shared numerous marketing images of the unreleased headphones and a few technical details.
As expected, Sony has redesigned the WH-1000X for its fifth-generation model. While the WH-1000XM4 built on its predecessors, the WH-1000XM5 have a simplified design, although Sony's familiar Black and Silver colourways return. Based on the leaked images, Sony has adopted a hinge mechanism that connects directly to the earcup, rather than surrounding it like with previous WH-1000X headphones.
Additionally, Sony has moved the microphones around and has changed the CUSTOM button to NC/AMB. For reference, the microphone count of three remains, and it was already possible to control noise cancellation (ANC) levels with the CUSTOM button. Overall, the WH-1000XM5 have a cleaner look than the WH-1000XM4, albeit still with a predominantly plastic build.
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Sony WH-1000XM5 - Silver
Reportedly, Sony has equipped the WH-1000XM5 with new drivers, two processors for managing ANC and a larger battery. According to the FCC, the WH-1000XM5 will ship with a 3.8 V battery, 0.1 V higher than the WH-1000XM4's. However, Technik News asserts that the uplift will result in 40 hours of playback with ANC enabled, 10 hours longer than the WH-1000XM4 manages. Also, the WH-1000XM5 will be capable of recharging fully within 3:30 hours at 5 V/ 9 V, which corresponds to 30 minutes longer charging for 10 hours of additional playback.
Unfortunately, pricing and availability remain unknown at this stage. Technik News claims that the WH-1000XM5 will launch imminently but without giving a launch month. For context, Sony refreshed the WF-1000X series in June 2021, but the WH-1000XM4 did not arrive until August 2020.