sony: Sony WH1000-XM5 headphones design leaked, may support enhanced ANC, battery life

Sony’s current flagship WH-1000MX4 headphones are one of the best wireless noise-cancelling audio products that are available in the market. These headphones are also arguably the biggest rival of AirPods Max. According to a report by MacRumours, the specifications of Sony‘s next-gen WH-1000XM5 headphones have been leaked. The report suggests that the upcoming headphones will sport a new design and other enhanced specifications compared to the Japanese company’s current premium offering.
As per the report, the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones will include thinner hinged arms that will connect the earcups to a slimmer headband, almost like the Bose 700. The report also suggests that the redesigned headband will be made up of metal rather than plastic. Even the ear cup padding is likely to be more substantial.
Sony might ditch the collapsible foldaway mechanism that tucked one cup inside the other in the upcoming headphones. However, another report by The Verge mentions that the case is expected not to take up a lot of space when stowed away.
The report by MacRumours also mentioned that the WH-1000XM5 is expected to have a longer battery life of up to 40 hours with active noise cancellation. This will be a 10-hour increase in battery life compared to its predecessor. However, the upcoming headphone might take 30 minutes longer to get fully charged than the WH-1000XM4. The Sony WH-1000XM5 is likely to get fully charged within 3.5 hours.
The upcoming audio device is also supposed to have a new NC/Ambient button that will replace the “Custom” one found on the previous one. However, the button might remain re-programmable to activate voice assistants and other functions. The three microphones present on the WH-1000XM4 are also rumoured to have been repositioned.
The WH-1000XM5 may also have an additional ANC processor and a new sound driver that is expected to offer improved noise-cancelling and sonics. However, the company has neither made these details official nor has it confirmed the release date of the headphones.