Sony WF-1000XM5 leak offers first look at the unannounced earphones

Sony may soon release a successor to its well-received WF-1000XM4 wireless earphones. The Walkman Blog has spotted certification images for the WF-1000XM5 and there are hints Sony may be fixing the comfort issues we have with the current model. The images suggest that the XM5 design may be more curved – you can listen for longer periods of time without a flat side digging into your ear. It is not clear if the buds are smaller.

The case also hints at potentially faster wireless charging times. And yes, the charging status light should finally be on the outside of the case. Don’t read too much into the plain, sometimes glossy appearance. The buds you see here appear to be prototypes and likely won’t reflect what you can buy.
It’s too early to tell if the WF-1000XM5 will sound better or introduce features. However, a release may come soon. An FCC filing surfaced in late February, with short-term confidentiality expiring in August. Given that the XM4 reached the FCC in February 2021 and debuted in June, it won’t be surprising if its follow-up is weeks away.

The XM4 remains our pick for the best wireless earphones, and for good reason. While the buds are on the large side, they provide excellent sound quality, strong active noise cancellation and healthy battery life in a platform-agnostic design. If the XM5 improve on this formula, they might be the best option if you’d rather not use AirPods or Pixel Buds.