Sony WH-1000XM6 Spotted on IMDA Certification, Launch Nears

It’s been almost three years since Sony released the WH-1000XM5, and now the successor — probably called the WH-1000XM6 — looks set to land soon. The next-generation flagship headphones were spotted recently on certification listings in the US and Canada through the FCC, and now they have also shown up on Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) site, suggesting that they will be launching anytime soon.

Sony WH-1000XM6 Appears on IMDA Certification, Hints at Imminent Launch With Fast Charging, Bluetooth 5.3

On the IMDA website, the listing for the Sony WH-1000XM6 model (YY2984) can be found. Both the FCC and UL Solutions previously documented this same model number — the former is a certification of a device’s wireless capabilities, while the latter is an evaluation of the device’s safety. Also listed in UL filings was the WH-1000XM5, carrying the model number YY2954.

According to TheWalkmanblog, the FCC’s Short-Term Confidentiality (STC) for the WH-1000XM6 is set to expire on July 22, 2025. To put that into perspective, the STC (sales tax credit) for the XM5 ended on 8 Aug 2023 but the headphones were originally launched on 12 May 2022 (approximately 13 weeks earlier). If the pattern holds, the WH-1000XM6 will arrive in late April or early May.

According to the same source, the WH-1000XM6 will be available in three color options — black, blue, and silver. On the other hand, the FCC listing also shows 5V and 9V charging ratings, which suggests support for fast charging. They will likely also include 30mm drivers and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. Unlike its predecessors, the WH-1000XM6 could benefit from an official IP rating for dust and water resistance, a feature long overdue.

While Qualcomm’s widely supported AptX codec would be a welcome addition, it seems unlikely since Sony continues to prioritize its proprietary LDAC codec. The new headphones are also expected to run on a MediaTek chip. In terms of pricing, Sony may position the WH-1000XM6 below ₹39,990, given inflation and past pricing trends. The XM5 debuted at ₹34,990, which was a ₹5,000 increase over the XM4. While maintaining the same price as the XM5 would be ideal, the final cost will depend on the improvements Sony introduces in this model.

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