These are the new Sony WF-1000XM4
Sony reveals its latest flagship headphones. The WF-1000XM4 are rounder and smaller than their predecessors. In addition, they come with improved functions.
Turns out the rumours were true. Sony’s new in-ear headphones look exactly like various leaks indicated. Following the motto «Your Sound. Nothing else.», Sony is initially mainly addressing the improved noise cancelling.
Improved active noise cancelling
Sony claims to have installed leading Active Noise Cancelling with a new, so-called Integrated V1 processor. The reviews will show how good it really is. Cancellation in the predecessor, the WF-1000XM3, was already quite good. Apparently, Sony has improved the design once again. Automatic wind noise reduction is also said to be newly built into the headphones.
On top of that, there are also special ear tips that provide additional passive noise cancelling. They’re called Noise Isolation Earbud Tips, resembling Comply Foam attachments. You can check them out in a new, refreshed version of the Sony Music app and decide which tips are best for you.
New driver units and Bluetooth version 5.2 in combination with the LDAC standard ensure a solid sound. It promises hi-res audio, i.e. almost lossless compression.
Improved battery life and controls
Compared to the predecessor, Sony has increased the battery life by two hours: from six to eight with activated noise cancelling. A high value when compared to the competition. The earbuds are supposed to run for another 16 hours with a fully charged case.
This one can be charged wirelessly. Quick Charge provides a runtime of one hour in about five minutes of charging. Sony also emphasises that this case is now 40 per cent smaller, and that the lid can be opened without the whole thing falling over.
With the WF-1000XM3, you could only adjust the volume on the handset after an update. The new model allows this at launch. Volume levels can be changed via touch. Although the new buds are smaller, the earpiece allows for more control. Gestures can still be freely set in the app. By the way, the small, copper-coloured wheel on the earpiece is a microphone, and isn’t used to control the volume or noise cancelling, as I assumed beforehand.
Sweat-proof and with practical, new capabilities
The predecessor was neither waterproof nor sweat proof. Finally, the WF-1000XM4 are now IPX4 certified. Meaning that they’re protected against splashing water from all sides. You can’t swim with them, but you can sweat all over them without hesitation.
As with Sony’s large over-ear headphones, the Speak-to-Chat function is now also integrated. This means that the headphone recognises your voice, stops any music and switches to ambient sound so that you can hear other people despite having buds in your ear. How the AI reacts to you singing along remains to be seen.
Support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant should be included from the get-go. Even in Switzerland, as Sony informs me upon request. They’ve also equipped the new earphones with Android’s Fast Pair feature for quick pairing. In addition, the little earpieces can be located with a find-my-device function if you’ve lost them.
Sony wants to ensure good call quality, which leaves much to be desired in many in-ear headphones, via beamforming technology.
The headphones are available for pre-order now. According to Sony, they’ll be shipped from June 11. Naturally, we will subject the Buds to a detailed review.
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Testing devices and gadgets is my thing. Some experiments lead to interesting insights, others to demolished phones. I’m hooked on series and can’t imagine life without Netflix. In summer, you’ll find me soaking up the sun by the lake or at a music festival.
