The launch of Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones has been confirmed, with a leaked design revealing a folding metal hinge and a new button.

      Sony is preparing to unveil its latest flagship noise-cancelling headphones, the WH-1000XM6, next week. As the announcement approaches, there haven't been many leaks about the new model, unlike the situation with smartphones. However, one significant leak showcases the headphones in full detail.

      Shortly after Amazon Spain inadvertently activated a product page for the Sony WH-1000XM6, another leak provided an in-depth look at the headphones, highlighting a subtle redesign aimed at enhancing comfort. The Walkman Blog has also displayed three color choices for the XM6s: white, black, and a “midnight” blue option.

      As seen in the images, the WH-1000XM6 features a notable design change compared to the previous XM5 model, specifically in the hinge. This time, Sony has chosen a more refined hinge design that facilitates a folding mechanism, which hopefully addresses concerns regarding the fragility of the XM5s' hinge, which many users reported as easily breaking. The new design includes a three-part structure, with the middle component likely made of metal for added durability. We will need to test whether this new hinge design also enhances comfort when worn.

      Additionally, the updated design presents a rounder power button, and it appears that the volume controls may have been repositioned beside the new button—although there are no dedicated volume buttons visible, suggesting they could be capacitive.

      Moreover, the mesh covering the microphone openings suggests an improvement in water resistance, though it is unlikely the XM6s will have an official water-resistance rating. The presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack indicates that Sony might once again forgo USB-C playback, although this remains uncertain. According to a previous FCC listing, the cushions should be easily removable, but this isn’t evident in the latest leaked images.

      Sony WH-1000XM6 launch confirmed

      Sony Australia

      Regarding the launch, Sony Australia has confirmed that it will take place on May 16th at 2 a.m. Melbourne time, which corresponds to noon on May 15th in New York. The expected price for the headphones is around $449, an increase from the previous generation's $399 in the U.S.

      On the inside, the headphones feature significant upgrades, including a new QN3 HD chip for active noise cancellation, a Mediatek MT2833 processor, and a total of six microphones on each ear cup (12 in total) dedicated to noise-cancelling.