There is some good news for fans of Sony headphones, but also some bad news. Good news first \u2013 Sony might introduce the second generation of LinkBuds and LinkBuds S later this year.<\/p>\n
Bad news \u2013 the next generation of flagship buds and over-ear headphones, the Sony WF-1000XM6 and the WH-1000XM6, will not be out in 2024. Instead, Sony may be targeting the first six months of next year.<\/p>\n
Sony announced the WH-1000XM4 in mid 2020, the XM5 came in mid-2022. This suggests a two-year gap for the XM6 successor, but as @INSIDERSONY<\/i> points out, there has been no news from the FCC, which will have to test and certify the headphones before launch. In conclusion, a launch this year is unlikely.<\/p>\n
Despite their similar names, the LinkBuds and LinkBuds S are quite different. Both are TWS buds, yes, but the original model is an open design that doesn\u2019t block ambient sound, while the S is a more traditional design focused on noise canceling.<\/p>\n Sony bundled the WH-1000XM5 headphones<\/a> with its new Android flagship, the Xperia 1 VI, as a pre-order bonus. Who knows, maybe the Mark 7 next year will get the XM6 headphones as the Xperia flagships tend to get announced towards the middle of the year. But for now, the best Sony over-ear and in-ear wireless headphones remain the XM5 models.<\/p>\n
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The current Sony LinkBuds and LinkBuds S<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n