There is always that one traveler who owns an XM5 but still grabs a beat-up XM4 every time they head to the airport. Turns out Sony noticed. The WH-1000XM4C — officially dubbed “M4 2nd Gen” — arrives fall 2026 at $299.99, reviving the fully foldable design that made the original a carry-on staple. This isn’t a technical leap. It’s a curated resurrection, selectively modernized, with eyes wide open about what it is and isn’t. Whether you’re stocking up on travel gadgets or simply upgrading your airport audio, the XM4C has a clear pitch.
Same Bones, Some New Muscle
Sony updates the XM4’s internals just enough to matter — and not enough to pretend otherwise.
Here’s what changed and what didn’t:
- ANC: Same QN1 processor, same 4-microphone setup as the 2020 original — two full generations behind the XM6’s QN3 chip and 12-mic array
- Bluetooth jumps to 6.0; NFC quick-pairing appears dropped based on pre-release imagery, per Android Authority
- Battery drops to 27 hours ANC-on, from 30 on the original XM4 — readers conscious of battery life across their devices may want to plan accordingly
- EQ doubles from 5-band to 10-band in Sony’s app; gaming preset added
- Colors: Black and Platinum Silver broadly; Lavender exclusive to Sony and Amazon
The ANC trade-off deserves a clear-eyed look. The XM5 runs 8 microphones and can be found around $200 right now as inventory clears. The XM6 packs 12 mics and the newer QN3 chip for $399. The XM4C’s noise cancellation was excellent in 2020. In 2026, it’s competitive the way a great dive bar is competitive — not trying to be the fanciest place on the block, just reliably good at what it does.
The real argument for the XM4C is the hinge. Sony abandoned the ultra-compact fold with the XM5 and only partially restored it with the XM6. For anyone who lives out of a single bag, that foldable form factor isn’t nostalgia — it’s logistics. Reviewers who still reach for their original XM4 daily despite owning newer hardware are apparently Sony’s target demographic here, according to reporting from The Verge.
The Rest of the Lineup – And the Hello Kitty Wildcard
Sony pushes software customization across every price tier, from $70 to limited-edition collector territory.
The midrange WH-CH730N ($179.99) brings 50-hour ANC battery life, a more compact fold, and the same 10-band EQ and gaming preset as the XM4C. The entry-level WH-CH530 ($69.99) skips ANC entirely but delivers 55 hours of battery and a Safe Mode volume limiter — useful for kids, though reviewers note there is currently no way to lock that limit once set.
Then there’s the Hello Kitty limited-edition bundle — XM6, CH730N, or CH530 paired with a Hello Kitty pouch and tote, available exclusively through the Sony Store in limited supply, for the collector who refuses to choose between audiophile and aesthetic. Those evaluating personal audio hardware alongside other wearable tech may also find Sony’s moves worth comparing to the latest smart glasses entering the market.
If your original XM4 still works, this is not your upgrade. But if you want the compact fold, Bluetooth 6, and a better EQ at $100 less than the XM6 — and cutting-edge ANC isn’t your priority — the XM4C makes a specific, honest kind of sense.
