Sony WF-1000XM6 Earbuds Arrive with New Design and Sound Enhancement Technology
According to leaks, Sony's new WF-1000XM6 wireless earbuds may bring a new design along with an AI-powered audio enhancement technology called DSEE Ultimate.
In the tech world, leaks about Sony's next high-end wireless in-ear headphones, the WF-1000XM6, have revealed both the product's design and an expected significant audio upgrade. According to posts from the leak source @INSIDERSONY, the headphones are expected to open for pre-orders in the second week of February 2026.
A Leap in Audio Quality with AI: DSEE Ultimate
The most striking claim from the leaks is that the WF-1000XM6 could be the first of Sony's in-ear headphones to feature 'DSEE Ultimate' technology. This technology uses an artificial intelligence system called 'Edge AI,' powered by a new MediaTek MT2855 chipset. DSEE Ultimate aims to analyze digital music files, such as compressed MP3s or online streams, to recognize instruments, music genres, and individual elements of the sound. It then uses this analysis to reconstruct the audio, making the source sound closer to a higher-resolution audio recording. Theoretically, this system, which can upscale audio to up to 192 kHz/24-bit quality, could help music listened to on Spotify or YouTube achieve a fuller and richer tone.
Powerful Chipset and Other Expected Innovations
The benefits of the new MediaTek chipset are not limited to audio upscaling. The same processor could also provide an improvement in the headphones' active noise cancellation (ANC) performance. Additionally, with the expectation of using a physically larger battery, a modest increase in battery life is indicated. However, it is also noted that a feature requiring intensive processing power like DSEE Ultimate could increase battery consumption.
A Renewed and More Compact Design
According to the shared images, the WF-1000XM6 series will undergo a noticeable design change from its predecessor. Unlike the current model with more angular lines, the new headphones are expected to have a 'pill'-shaped, rounder, and more compact design. It is also stated that the charging case could become slightly smaller in size.
Regarding pricing, it is estimated that the starting price of the current WF-1000XM5 model, around $300, will be maintained, and the new model could be launched in the $300 to $330 range. These developments once again highlight the increasing role of artificial intelligence in personalizing and enhancing the audio experience in consumer electronics. For example, AI's application area is expanding in different fields, such as Carbon Robotics' model that instantly identifies plants.
