Technologies

New Sony Noise-Canceling Headphones Specs and Pricing Apparently Leak

The next pair of Sony WH-1000XM noise-canceling headphones will see a series of improvements and AI mics, if leaked specs are to be believed.

It appears that Sony is gearing up to release its high-end consumer successor to the WH-1000XM5 noise canceling headphones, and potentially very soon, according to a new leak from Dealabs via Android Authority.

Sony launched the WH-1000XM5 three years ago, in May 2022, marking the longest gap in time from one generation to another since the line was introduced in 2016. The series has always balanced a mix of function, comfort and sound that has kept it on many top noise-canceling headphone lists, including CNET’s.

The new headphones were first spotted by a Reddit user that found a since-removed Amazon Spain listing, detailing the specs and pricing of the latest over-ear headphones from Sony. In the three years that it’s taken to get a new pair of headphones from this lineup, it’s fairly easy to assume that there are improvements across the board.

What’s new in the WH-1000XM6?

Here’s the supposed official description and feature list taken from the original page, after being translated:

The flagship model, with Sony’s best noise cancellation and best ambient sound mode ever on over-ear headphones.
With the new QN3 HD Noise Cancelling processor and 12 microphones, our Multi Noise Sensor technology with Auto NC Optimizer delivers optimal performance anywhere.
Developed with Grammy-winning mastering engineers, 30mm drivers, Hi-Res Audio, DSEE Extreme to enhance every track, and a customizable 10-band EQ.
The Sony WH-1000XM6 folds flat for easy storage and transport. The new case provides protection, with a magnetic closure for quick access.
Lightweight for all-day wear, the new headband is even more comfortable and secure than the previous model, with soft, padded ear cushions for a premium feel.
A quick 3-minute charge provides 3 hours of entertainment, and you can even use the WH-1000XM6 while charging.
360 Upmix for Cinema transforms stereo content into immersive sound, coming from the sides, behind, and above. Game EQ improves clarity and detail during gameplay.
With six AI-powered microphones, calls are crystal-clear, even in the busiest environments. AI noise reduction filters out unwanted sounds
Multipoint connection lets you seamlessly switch between your Bluetooth devices, including iPhone, Android, PC, and Mac
Adaptive Sound Control, Quick Attention, Background Music, Personalized Spatial Audio, Wind Noise Reduction, 360 Reality Audio with head tracking, and Speak to Chat.

Let’s break it down.

According to the leaked specs, the Sony 1000XM6 headphones look to improve upon their predecessors with a new QN3 HD Noise Cancelling processor, up from the QN1 processor in the XM5s — the fact that Sony is skipping the existence of the QN2 and going straight to the QN3 could just be marketing, but Dealab’s report says the processor is up to 7x faster than its predecessor.

The headphones will apparently ship with 12 microphones — six of which are powered by AI to improve call quality and reduce unwanted noise. Like its predecessor, the latest headphones will also ship with an auto noise-canceling optimizer. CNET had already crowned the XM5s as the go-to noise-canceling headphones to grab for great calls, and the latest version looks to bolster what was already great.

Fast charging is still intact, the leak shows, and a 3-minute charge will be able to provide 3 hours of «entertainment,» as the description says, but those specifics, if true, will likely be ironed out during the official announcement. In contrast, Dealabs’ report claims a 3-minute charge will provide 1 hour battery life.

Most older features are still apparently present in the latest version of the headphones. The signature touch controls on the earcup, and the semi-infuriating Speak to Chat function that always re-enables itself on my 1000XM4s will stay put, along with the 3.5mm headphone jack and support for Hi-Res audio.

The 1000XM6s will get the bump to Bluetooth version 5.3 vs 5.2 found in the 1000XM5 headphones, and will be a negligible 4 grams heavier than the older version as well, coming in at 254 grams.

Pricing and availability

The new headphones will apparently be available in three colors, including black, platinum silver and midnight blue, with pricing pegged at $450 in the US.

The official announcement isn’t far off, either, it seems. Based of off Dealab’s own information, the Sony 1000XM6 will be unveiled sometime between May 14 and May 16, 2025, which falls in line with the May 15 timing found on the screengrab of the Amazon leak.

Technologies

Live-Action ‘Call of Duty’ Movie Reportedly Being Co-Written by Taylor Sheridan

The Yellowstone co-creator will reportedly team up with Peter Berg on the Paramount film.

Yellowstone, Landman and, now, Call of Duty. Taylor Sheridan, co-creator of the aforementioned hit shows, will co-write Paramount and Activision’s upcoming live-action video game adaptation, according to a report from Variety on Thursday.

Peter Berg will also co-write and direct the movie, which was announced last month. Berg previously directed films including 2018’s Mile 22, 2012’s Battleship and 2013’s Lone Survivor, while Sheridan’s movie credits include 2016’s Hell or High Water and 2017’s Wind River. Berg, Sheridan and David Glasser will produce the Call of Duty film.

Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.

Call of Duty is a first-person shooter military video game series that debuted in 2003. CNET senior writer David Lumb calls it «arguably the biggest shooter franchise in gaming, with millions of players picking up every year’s new entry to the series.»

Lumb said the franchise is known for its bombastic single-player campaigns, which feature globe-spanning plots that rival those of the Mission Impossible films. «A Call of Duty movie has a lot of material to draw from,» Lumb said.

He also noted that Berg’s direction of Lone Survivor would fit the grim military heroism of Call of Duty, while Taylor Sheridan’s spate of neo-Western films and shows could lend a frontier adventurism to the film.

«Their collective works seemingly harmonize with the jingoistic pro-military tune of Activision’s shooter franchise — which is probably a good thing for Call of Duty fans,» Lumb concluded.

A release announcing Paramount and Activision’s film deal teased that it’ll be «designed to thrill its massive global fan base by delivering on the hallmarks of what fans love about the iconic series, while boldly expanding the franchise to entirely new audiences.» It didn’t include cast or plot information.

The update follows recent news that Sheridan is leaving Paramount for NBCUniversal. Paramount did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Technologies

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Technologies

Animal Crossing Update Adds Lego Furniture, With a Switch 2 Version Arriving the Same Day

Fans of Animal Crossing will have a reason to go back to their island.

Animal Crossing fans just received a big surprise, and it’s not just a new content update. A Switch 2 version is on its way.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons will receive its first big update in three years, according to a post from Nintendo on Thursday. The update, labeled 3.0, will roll out on Jan. 15, the same day the Switch 2 version of the game will be available for purchase.

Released for the original Switch back in 2020, New Horizons was the first Animal Crossing game to come to a Nintendo console since 2008’s Animal Crossing: City Folk for the Nintendo Wii.

Nintendo regularly updated New Horizons for two years after its release, but stopped at update 2.0.6 released in November 2022. Two updates were added earlier in the year to prepare the game for playability on the Switch 2.

Animal Crossing 3.0 Update

In the 3.0 update coming on Jan. 15, a new hotel is opening. Players can help bring in guests to stay at the hotel by decorating guest rooms and dressing up mannequins to sell resort clothing.

For those who haven’t touched New Horizons in years, a Reset Service will be available. Players can have their island cleaned up, and items can be stored away or trashed for those who want a clean slate.

Players with a Nintendo Switch Online membership will have access to up to three islands, where they can explore and do as they please. These new areas are available on Slumber Island. It’s up to the player to decide how the island will look, what items or plants are on it and even which characters will be found on the island. Players can also invite friends to build it together.

New Horizons will feature special collaborations and Nintendo retro gear. Lego items will be available in the update for players to decorate their homes with or clothing to dress up their villagers with. Retro Nintendo consoles, such as the NES and Game Boy, can also be used as decorative items.

If the player has a Switch Online subscription, some classic titles such as Ice Climbers and Dr. Mario can be played via these in-game devices. There are also special items based on The Legend of Zelda and Splatoon series when players tap their amiibo from those games onto the Switch while playing.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Switch 2

Switch 2 owners can get in on the digital life game with Animal Crossing: New Horizons — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. Not only will this new version come with updated graphics, including 4K resolution in TV mode, but it will also add special features that can only be done on the newest console.

One of the features is mouse controls for the Joy-Con 2. Players will be able to use the controller as a mouse to decorate indoors, create custom designs and write handwritten messages for the bulletin board.

Residents in the game can now be found by saying their name into the Switch 2’s built-in microphone while using the megaphone in the game. Multiplayer has also improved dramatically, with 12-player sessions available for those playing on the new edition, and CameraPlay is supported to allow players to see one another.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons for the Nintendo Switch 2 will be available for purchase on Jan. 15 for $65. Owners of the original Switch version of New Horizons can upgrade to the Switch 2 version for $5.