As the Galaxy S26 series launch draws closer, leaks are picking up pace. A tipster has now shared official-looking press renders of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, showcasing the phone from all angles in four colors.
The images come courtesy of tipster Evan Blass (@evleaks) and show the Galaxy S26 Ultra in Black, Cobalt Violet, Sky Blue, and White color options.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra’s design closely resembles its predecessor, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but features slightly more rounded corners and a redesigned rear camera module. The S Pen also appears to have received a subtle refresh.
Here’s...
Founded in California, Eureka Ergonomic is an office and home furniture manufacturer that – predictably – focuses on ergonomic hardware. The Axion sits roughly in the middle of the brand's vast array of chairs, and is a "hybrid chair that focuses on ergonomics and adjustability."
Immediately, it's clear that this is an attractive bit of kit. Decked out in all-black with a splash of color here and there, it's tasteful enough to be at home in a fairly neutral home office, but energetic enough to satisfy an RGB-obsessed gamer. With plenty of reclining range and an astounding amount of adjustable support areas, there's a lot going on – much of it very well executed, too.
My few complaints are picky ones. I took delivery of the fabric-upholstered version, and this comes with a nylon base. While I'm sure it's more than tough enough for the job, the aluminium base of the mesh version would certainly inspire a little more confidence in the chair's longevity.
However, at less than $500 – and considering the amount of ergonomic features on offer – it's a reasonably-priced daily driver that I've enjoyed using. Of course, spend even more on the very best office chairs and you can get a few higher-end materials from the likes of Steelcase and Herman Miller, and more purpose-built gaming chairs will suit a proper streaming setup better. However, for most, the Axion will be a trusty throne that offers considerable support where you need it the most.
(Image credit: Future)
Eureka Ergonomic Axion: price and availability
Price: US$499
The Axion is found in Eureka's gaming chair section, and at the time of writing, it's the second-most expensive out of four on the company's website. Notably, on the website it's the only one that hasn't got the tag "best seller." Make of that what you will.
However, viewed in the wider context of Eureka's dozens of office chair designs, it sits firmly in the mid-range when it comes to price.
In the US, the list price is $499. However, at the time of writing, this has been reduced to $469, which is a decent, if not super-cheap price for a very adjustable ergonomic hybrid chair.
Compared to gaming chair stalwarts Secretlab, the Axion is about $200 cheaper, which makes it a decent pick in this sector of the market – especially if you're looking for something more understated.
Value: 4/5
Eureka Ergonomic Axion: Design and setup
Very smart design
Huge array of adjustable ergonomic features
Requires assembly
(Image credit: Future)
As you might expect, the Axion is delivered in a big cardboard box, and requires assembly at home. Each component is neatly wrapped, and I found the level of protection very good. As you'd expect, nothing was damaged in transit.
All of the requisite screws, bolts, and fitting are well-marked in separate bags, and I had no issue completing the assembly. I'd recommend setting aside about an hour of time so you're not in a rush to complete the job.
In terms of instructions, the ones Eureka provides are good, but not great. I didn't run into any issues – it's a quite simple build – but I've definitely had clearer booklets with flat-pack furniture in my time. While fully understandable, the instructions definitely betray the chair's Chinese origins.
(Image credit: Future)
During the procedure, each part of the chair felt very solid and well-made. For example, the base was very neatly stapled together, and while not entirely high-end, it everything felt like it'd stand the test of time. For an example of a chair I felt very differently about, check out my review of the Fezibo C3. Thankfully, so such manufacturing concerns here.
Something I would've appreciated was a little more documentation on all the excellent features of the chair itself. For example, through my testing I discovered most of the angles of adjustment offered by the chair. However, it was only when I referenced the product page on the Eureka website for this review did I realise the lumbar support could move horizontally as well as vertically. A nice problem to have, but a walkthrough guide would have got me using everything the chair offered from the start.
(Image credit: Future)
It's worth noting too that I was supplied with a second gas strut for use on carpets. I'm not sure if this is a known issue or something confined to testing models, but it's interesting to know there's a minor design flaw here that has to be patched by the user. That said, the strut was easy to install, and presumably free to anyone buying the chair themselves.
On to the good stuff though – being a newbie to truly ergonomic seating, I've never used such an adjustable chair. The headrest, lumbar support, and armrests all have three degrees of adjustment, along with an adjustable seating pad too. I found it was very easy to dial in my perfect seating position.
Some parts could be a little "stiffer" – I found myself moving the headrest while leaning back – but overall there's very little that has been overlooked in terms of design.
(Image credit: Future)
Finally, it's interesting that the two upholstery options – mesh and fabric – come with a different base. I can find no reason given for this other than perhaps aesthetics, but I have a feeling most people would rather have a metal base regardless of the upholstery. The nylon base, present on my test model is fine, but at risk of sounding old-fashioned, I find anything metal just feels better.
Overall, there are few chairs that are as adjustable as the Axion in this price range, and beyond some small concerns about the materials, there's not a lot to complain about at all.
(Image credit: Future)
In terms of looks, the Axion is very attractive. It's a simple design, dominated by black plastic and fabric/mesh, but the pop of color on the back gives some welcome levity to the appearance.
There are a number of different colors available too, including blue (the color of the test model), bright green, red, and gray. There is also a "silver gray" version available – although personally I'd avoid this, because I've had silver-painted plastic items before, and they develop scratches and dings far faster than plain black in a real-life environment.
Some may be disappointed that there's no all-black colorway, but the gray version is neutral enough to fit most setups.
Design score: 4.5/5
Eureka Ergonomic Axion: Comfort
Tons of support for long sessions
Comfortable for everyday use
I had some issues with the castors on my thick carpet
There's no denying the Axion is a great daily driver. The amount of adjustment in almost every area means that no matter your body shape or seating preference, it's easy to get comfy.
In the past, I've found that ergonomic chairs can be more trouble than they're worth – with squeaking hardware and lumps all over making the whole experience unenjoyable. That's not the case here, and there's a great balance between moderate ergonomic intrusion and general easy-going comfort.
The areas you touch while using the chair are made of pleasant materials. The fabric-upholstered version is wrapped in high-quality synthetic material that has a slight fluff to it. Don't worry, it's not fleecy – but it feels warm enough not to feel staticky or slippery.
I haven't had the chance to test the mesh version, but I expect it's slightly lighter-weight, more cooling, and slightly smoother. The choice you make is down to your preference.
(Image credit: Future)
Some of the materials could fell more premium, but it certainly doesn't feel cheap. For example, the rear plastic is nowhere near the scratchiest I've felt, but some really high-end chairs will feel less hollow, and have slightly more give if you were to press them with a fingernail.
Finally, I had a few issues with the castor wheels – most notably that when sitting and rolling towards my desk, the wheel would get slightly stuck in my carpet. Now, I'm aware that the carpet I have is fairly luxurious, but shuffling to move the chair was a little annoying. Of course, if you use a chair pad or have hard flooring, this won't be a problem.
Comfort score: 4/5
Should I buy the Eureka Ergonomic Axion?
Buy it if...
You want tons of adjustable ergonomic features
Almost every part of the Axion can be moved in at least two directions to make sure you're getting the support you need.
You want a hybrid gaming/office chair
The Axion won't embarrass you in your work-from-home meetings, but you also won't feel like you're sat in a boardroom while you're nailing headshots. The best of both worlds.
Don't buy it if...
You want the highest-end materials
The Axion by no means feels cheap. However, there are some parts of its construction that could slightly elevated.
You want a very plain chair
With no all-black colorway and a fairly sci-fi build, the Axion may look too jazzy for the most demure settings.
Also consider
Corsair TC100 Relaxed
Despite being almost $200 cheaper, the TC100 is one of our highest-rated chairs – and our top choice of budget office chair. Granted, it has a gamer-esque design, but the color scheme is muted enough to get away with it, and its build quality is much better than you might expect from the price
If you don't mind missing out on a fair amount of adjustable ergonomic features, the SIHOO Doro C300 is a cheaper alternative top the Axion. Plus, its all-mesh construction will be more comfortable in warmer climes than the fabric version of the Axion.
It's been over two years since Sony’s last flagship earbuds came out and it was about time for an update. Enter the WF-1000XM6, still sporting an absurdly long name, these feature an updated design alongside claims of even better sound tuning and noise cancellation.
The earbud version of the WH-1000XM6 gets two more microphones compared to its predecessors with promises of even better call quality and adaptive noise cancellation. Sony actually claims these earbuds inherited their adaptive noise canceling from the over-ear XM6s alongside an optimized antenna structure for better...
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The Insta360 Luna has two cameras, much like DJI's upcoming Osmo Pocket 4 Pro. One of them is a telephoto camera. If it launches before DJI's next-gen Osmo Pocket, then it will be the first vlogging camera with telephoto abilities.
Speaking of the launch window, Insta360 has so far only confirmed...
After a two-year hiatus, Sony finally announced a new pair of flagship wireless earbuds. The WF-1000XM6 arrive on the scene as the replacements to the WF-1000XM5, and Sony is confident that these are its best earbuds to date.
So what’s new?
Sony is bringing an updated version of its Integrated Processor V2, which now features 32-bit audio processing, up from the XM5’s 24-bit depth. Thanks to this change, Sony claims the XM6 offers improved clarity, dynamic range and detail.
WF-1000XM6 in black
The buds are equipped with 8.4mm dynamic drivers and get custom sound tuning from...
Samsung has already delivered the first shipments of HBM4 memory to its customers and announced that it has begun mass production of the new standard.
HBM4 chips are fabbed on a 6th generation of a 10nm-class DRAM process called “1c”. Note that DRAM isn’t like a CPU core, so the nodes aren’t comparable. The HBM4 products also use a 4nm logic base die for higher performance.
To put some numbers to it, HBM4 can deliver speeds of 11.7Gbps – per pin! This surpasses the industry standard, which is set at 8Gbps, by 46%. Since there are 2,048 pins the total bandwidth is a massive 3.3 terabytes...
The all-new Sony WF-1000XM6 an impressive set of earbuds with a formidable set of features – especially formidable for tech journos such as me, who are obliged to stick within some sort of length limit for these reviews – but as Sony seeks to recapture class-leading greatness with its 1000X series lineup, I can't help but wonder whether at some point we'll reach a case of diminishing returns.
Here, for example, Sony once again provides us a smaller earpiece. It's 11% thinner but somehow contains a 1.5x larger antenna for better connection stability, an extra mic per bud to equal eight in total, and two processors. One of these is called the QN3E (to take care of the eight mics and facilitate a new auto ambient sound mode) and the other is the V2, to enable 32-bit audio support (with Sony's LDAC codec) using the new 8.4mm unique driver and introduce a new 10-band EQ tab with a 'Find your EQ' tech plus new 'gaming' EQ preset.
But how many mics per bud is enough to facilitate fantastic ANC? And how much do we need our earbuds to shrink before the listener decides enough is enough – because they're actually not sure it's made the product that much better?
But before I answer those questions, know that for sound quality alone, the Sony WF-1000XM6 are a very good set of earbuds.
Some of the best earbuds on the market then? Well, Sony has certainly sought to stuff these buds with every upgrade it can (and every feature you can possibly imagine) using its own proprietary technology.
But there's the rub; the company that brought us 360 Reality Audio with head-tracking would absolutely love for you to use it, but the format is no longer supported on nearly as many of the big music streaming sites as it used to be – Deezer dropped it in 2022; Tidal gave up its support for the 3D format in 2024.
And in terms of hi-res Bluetooth chops, LDAC is of little use to iPhone owners, although Sony's DSEE Extreme upscaler is here again and it does make Spotify streams sound a lot better.
So what's excellent about the WH-1000XM6, what's less so, and are they worth their refreshingly approachable asking fee? The design of the buds is now pill-shaped, and while the earpieces are thinner, the units are also taller with a little notch halfway up to help them fit.
Because they're slightly more raised from their charging nest and covered entirely in a matte plastic for better traction, they boast what Sony calls "easier pick up" from their case – and I can confirm that while I wasn't convinced about the overall fit in the ear, I didn't drop them while first grabbing them half as much as I did the older XM5.
Sadly, the active noise cancellation didn't live up to my expectations in real-world testing. That said, the battery life, at eight hours from the buds and up to 24 with the case – and yes, that is with noise cancellation deployed – isn't bad at all.
Do I love them? Having spent over two weeks with them, I like them a lot, and that new antenna does provide rock-solid connection that never falters. I also liked the new Background Music Effect perk much more than I thought I would – it's a great focus aid, allowing you to push the music back just slightly, so you can hear yourself think.
Also, Sony's Quick Attention feature, wherein you simply cover the left earbud to lower music and quickly filter in ambient sound around you, is a winner, although this isn't new for Sony – we've loved it on the Sony WH-1000XM6 and previous headphones too.
Ultimately for me though, the noise cancellation isn't the class-leading triumph it is billed as, and competing options such as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen (and Apple AirPods Pro 3, if you've got an Apple source device) are offering better access to spatial audio formats and that cocoon of silence noise-nixing you may prioritize.
Add in the Technics EAH-AZ100 as an alternative – offering triple device multipoint, clearer calls and a more comfortable fit – and ultimately, while the WF-1000XM6 are talented and capable earbuds in many respects, there are other buds I would still nudge you to reach for, at this level.
(Image credit: Future)
Sony WF-1000XM6 review: Price and release date
Released on February 12, 2026
Priced $329 / £250 / (about AU$480)
Available in Black or Platinum Silver
Thankfully, Sony's kept a lid on price increases here here. The older flagship Sony WF-1000XM5 launched in July 2023 for $299.99 / £259 / AU$499, so the WF-1000XM6 are only slightly more expensive in the US, and are actually cheaper in the UK.
That said, Sony's hand has been somewhat forced, because Apple's AirPods Pro 3 came with a $249 / £219 / AU$429 price tag when they hit shelves back on September 19, 2025 – ie. cheaper or the same as the AirPods Pro 2's $249 / £249 / AU$399 price tag in the UK and US (although in Australia, they did come with a more expensive launch price).
Other direct competition at this level? The closest rivals are most pressingly the aforementioned AirPods Pro 3, followed by premium offerings such as the Technics EAH-AZ100, which are $299 / £259 / AU$478 or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) for $299 / £299 / AU$450. I might even mention the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 although those are a fair bit pricier, at $399 / £349 / AU$599.
So as you can probably deduce, Sony has actually gone in quite aggressive with the asking fee here.
(Image credit: Future)
Sony WF-1000XM6 review: Specs
Drivers
8.4mm dynamic with 'soft edge, hard center'
Active noise cancellation
Yes
Battery life
8 hours (buds, ANC on); 24 hours (case)
Weight
6.5g per bud
Connectivity
Bluetooth with LE Audio and LDAC; USB-C and wireless charging
Waterproofing
IPX4
Sony WF-1000XM5 in the center, with WF-C710N on the left; WF-1000XM5 on the right (Image credit: Future)
Sony WF-1000XM6 review: Features
10-band EQ tab with 'Find My EQ' and new Gaming preset
DSEE Extreme upscaler, LDAC, LE Audio and 360 Reality Audio
Background Music Effect is surprisingly useful
…but the noise cancellation isn't the smash-hit it's billed as
Sony has once again stuffed these earbuds with all the perks and extras it knows, but a lot of them will be a case of "Yes, we know about that – what's new?" to fans of Sony's WF-1000XM lineup.
So what is new? The 10-band EQ tab (it used to be limited to five) is one upgrade, plus a specific Gaming EQ preset. Sony's more recent Sound Connect app is also newly used with the flagship lineup (this used to be the Sony Headphones app, until October 2024) but Sound Connect was already around for the budget-friendly Sony WF-C710N, which landed April 2025 – so anyone who owns those will be familiar with the 'Find My EQ' tab.
If you're not one of them, I can tell you that it's still good here: you tap on various sound profile bubbles and the software continues to supply more, based on your preferred listening choices, until it presents a personalized profile you can save as a preset.
But again, it's something that is also available in much cheaper Sony earbuds. It's also not a hearing test, as such (there are no diminishing tones to engage with; no analysis of your hearing and curation of a truly unique profile with augmented tones for you) and while you may not want a full hearing test, it's worth stating that competing options I've mentioned do offer it, for similar money. And if you're hoping for a huge app overhaul from the older Headphones app, you won't get it sadly.
For me, this companion app isn't the most intuitive. For example, the home screen is essentially a list of tabs – you can assign elements to be placed at the top of this, from the depths of the device settings, although for me this sometimes just further complicates things – but along the bottom are four smaller tabs labelled 'My Device' (the one you're brought to upon launching it); 'Scene', which attempts to work out what you're doing physically and also suggests profiles that can be deployed at specific times, such as 'Gym' or 'Commute Home', if you feel you need them; 'Discover' for your listening history (Sony likes to offer logs and 'badges' for listening) plus the option to deploy a gentler Safe Listening experience; and lastly, 'Menu'.
Now, you'd think 'Menu' is where all the good stuff lives, but this is basically just a home for the support bot, a 'Help' function, backups and 'About this app' info.
This means that what you need to do in order to get to any tweakable features is to scroll down to a small tab at the bottom of the 'My Device' toggle labelled 'Device Settings' and from there into the minutiae of customization tabs.
It just feels like a lot of taps. It also presents many chances for newbies to venture down the wrong route, to a dead end, and then wonder how to get back to what I like to call 'that long list I had before'. A reshuffle of the app might be sensible, to bring the user more quickly to the perks they actually want to find quickly.
(Image credit: Sony)
At the top of these Device Settings is 'Noise Canceling/Ambient Sound', but although Ambient Sound has a manual incremental 20-step slider, a 'sensitivity setting' which can be either Standard, High or Low, an auto toggle, and an option to toggle on Voice passthrough (to filter in voices while still suppressing noise), your actual noise cancellation options are still just 'on' or 'off', which feels a little disappointing, especially given the extra mic per-bud onboard here.
Sony hasn't listed a figure for the noise-nixing power in decibels, but the company is keen to tell us that the WF-1000XM6 are the "best noise-cancelling" earbuds it's ever released.
Sadly, I need to manage your expectations here, because although certain sounds are indeed dulled when I deploy ANC, when I switch to the AirPods Pro 3 and it's a different level. Want that bubble of silence feeling where the noise drops and extraneous sounds simply melt away? The kind of ANC that makes you genuinely surprised at how noisy your immediate surroundings have become, when you remove them? Sadly, the Sonys are fairly good, but they're not that good – Bose and Apple both have them beat.
Call handling? This is also a bit of a let down – and not just because it's been so hyped by Sony in these new buds. Although Sony couldn't wait to extol the talents of the new mic on each bud, the new wind-nixing structure around them, plus a new AI algorithm with beamforming and bone conduction sensors to aid with both ANC and call-handling on those four mics per earpiece… in practice, callers said I sounded "muffled" when using them for voice calls, especially when compared to my regular Technics EAH-AZ100.
While I'm on the comparison, Sony's answer to Technics' excellent Sidetone tech, to amplify your own voice in calls, is an on/off toggle called 'Capture Voice' in the app, but I couldn't detect much difference either way when trying to use it. And because I had to really screw the earpieces quite far into my ears to get a secure fit (more on this later), I think I would have benefitted from more of a boost here.
(Image credit: Sony)
All of this aside, a lot of things are really enjoyable about the WF-1000XM6 – and Background Music Effect is top of the list. To find it, you have to scroll down that thin tab at the bottom of the 'My Device' tab, labelled Device settings > Sound Quality/Volume > Listening Mode > Background Music – see what I mean about decent features being somewhat hidden away?
Only then will you be able to select from 'My room', 'Living room' or 'Cafe', which spreads and pushes your music just a little further away from your ears each time. I thought it'd be gimmicky; I was wrong. If you're someone who sometimes turns the TV on just for a bit of background noise to focus, or simply can't concentrate if lyrics are too prominent in your ears, say, this feature is for you.
I also like that the on-ear controls are now fully customizable, once you've delved into Device settings > Controls > Change the touch sensor function > Custom. The one caveat is that if you set a long-press of the left earbud to be volume decrease (which is always my preference) you lose Quick Attention, which is one of my favorite Sony-specific earbuds features because it's so useful – if someone starts talking to you or there's been an announcement about the late arrival of your train, say, simply press and hold the left bud and music is pushed low while ambient passthrough is boosted.
Other pleasing notable mentions go to the app's ability to corral my Apple Music subscription to the fold so I can see some playback information in the My Device tab, the 'Optimal Earbud Tips' wearer test (it's quite strict, you know) and the option to prioritize either a stable connection or audio quality. And I should probably mention that thanks to that bigger antenna, I never once experienced any dropouts in connection with this iteration (which was an issue with the older Sony WF-1000XM5 when I reviewed them, initially).
I've also long been a fan of Sony's DSEE Extreme upscaler, which takes your lossier music streams and does remarkable things to add detail and nuance. Here, it is very well implemented; I had to check more than once that I hadn't switched over from Spotify to one of the more audiophile-friendly streaming platforms, and that is something I don't say lightly.
There's also multipoint to two devices and Auto Switch, for handing off the audio from your buds to your Sony Linkbuds Speaker when you come home – but that's the only Sony speaker currently supported, so is pretty niche as an option.
Spatial audio? Ah. Yes, it's technically here, because you can have 360 Reality Audio – if you can find any content presented in the Sony-made format, given that Tidal and Deezer both dropped support a little while ago…
Features score: 4 / 5
(Image credit: Future)
Sony WF-1000XM6 review: Sound quality
Crisp bass that neither bloats nor overstates itself
Plenty of texture through upper mids
Beaten for dynamic nuance and detail across the frequencies
Switching all sound profiles to 'standard', with a neutral EQ and making sure I've selected the connection profile that prioritizes audio quality (rather than a stable Bluetooth connection) in the Sony WF-1000XM6, I cue up Sevdaliza's Mad Woman. The clock chimes in the opening of the song simmer beautifully initially, with razor-sharp leading edges of notes from the buds. And that note goes all the way down to the abyss without issue too, which is more than can be said for entry-level (and even most mid-range) earbuds.
I'm just missing an extra ounce of build and intentional distortion through the belly of the note that I know to be there – and it's confirmed when I switch to the Technics EAH-AZ100, which have no trouble revealing it.
If you've heard Harry Styles' new track Aperture, it's a similar idea; the timing ticks along beautifully and the Sony buds never shy away from a bass drop, but I can't help but notice when they gloss over a marginal inflection or pop within a gloriously imperfect synth note – because that wants to be remembered as such, and the buds aren't quite recreating it perfectly.
I'm being hypercritical, of course. The sound here is very good indeed – in fact, in instrumental works such as Nicholas Gunn's Campfire there's an expansive and emotive soundstage wherein each musical strand is held together in a cohesive and rewarding mix.
Human breath feels three-dimensional and, for want of a better word, real. It's just that when the flute comes in, I'm missing an iota of excitement as the soundstage builds in intensity and the shaker comes in.
That said, I'll caveat all of this with one potential reason: I did struggle to get the Sony WF-1000XM6 to fit perfectly, even after a week with them… but that's for the next section. If you can achieve a secure fit and seal, I do think there'd be very little in it between them and the best-sounding earbuds in their class.
Sound quality: 4 / 5
(Image credit: Future)
Sony WF-1000XM6 review: Design
On-ear controls are reliable and the headshell is grippy
Divisive fit and ear-tip material – although plenty of tips are provided
Case magnets feel a little weak
Sony has once again reworked the shape of its earbuds and I have to say that the company's commitment to tweaking and amending the fit in the pursuit of excellence is commendable. These earbuds are 11% thinner than the older model and are very much pill-shaped from above, but they are taller.
That means – and there's no pretty way to say this – they stick out of your ears a little more (as well as from their taller case), and there's a little notch or nub halfway up the housing, to nestle into your outer ear.
Far from being disappointing to me, this initially quite bulbous-looking fit can work very well (see the 'concha fit' style pioneered by the aforementioned Technics EAH-AZ100), however, in this thinner shape, I found that getting a secure fit did involve a fairly rigorous push and twist into the ear, to get them to 'lock in', as it were.
I worry that in the pursuit of a positive 'they're smaller!' goal, Sony hasn't quite achieved the aim of a better fit – although fit is a very personal thing.
FutureFutureFutureFuture
I eventually achieved the best fit using the 'S'-sized small tips (not the XS, which is unusual for me), backed up by Sony's in-app ear-tip fit test tech, but after several hours of listening, the lower part of my antihelix and on to my antitragus did ache a little.
I also think there's a small chance that the shape of these buds affects the efficacy of the noise cancellation – their thinness perhaps means they didn't fill my outer ear fully, quite where they should? It's hard to know for sure, but as someone who's testing more buds than I can count, it felt a little off.
One good aspect of the taller buds, along with the fact that there's no shiny plastic involved in the design, is that I never once dropped an earbud while getting them out of the case, and that is a comment often levelled at the older XM5 buds.
The ear-tips are again memory foam in style, and while I like them a lot and found them very easy to switch out (particularly thanks to the little colored bands on the bottom, so you don't mix them up), unlike silicone options you do need to give them a moment to re-form if you inadvertently squish them while fitting.
The case is much more angular and a little taller, but maintains a USB-C charger and reset button on the back (it'll also charge wirelessly) plus a solo green LED light on the front. It can charge wirelessly too.
My only point on the case is the magnets that snap the case lid shut; given the extra height and bulk on the top, it feels as if they could be stronger. I did an initial drop-test and it did stay shut, but I didn't feel as confident of this happening consistently as I have with other class-leading buds.
In terms of battery life, their claim of eight hours from the buds with ANC and 24 from the case equals that of the AirPods Pro 3, which means it's good – but this is a standard rather than outstanding figure. In testing, I got a little less from them, at seven hours before they needed charging – but my testing does often involve boosting the volume above 50% and scrolling through features and profiles.
Design score: 4 / 5
(Image credit: Future)
Sony WF-1000XM6 review: value
Stuffed full of features and far from the most expensive buds around
…but the ANC isn't class leading, and spatial audio might be hard to access
Do you want the best noise-cancelling earbuds on the market for noise-blocking power? If so, the WF-1000XM6 are not my first choice – but that's not at the top of everyone's list, and doesn't mean you should discount them.
For sound, there's plenty to celebrate. These earbuds offer an expansive and pleasing soundstage with neutrality and plenty of options to further tweak the sound to your liking. If pushed, I could've used a little more energy and oomph to allow for an extra ounce of dynamic nuance, but it's my job to nitpick and I maintain that for sound, they're still bang on the money. Buy them, and you won't be disappointed in the WF-1000XM6 sonically.
But do you want device- and streaming-service agnostic spatial audio profiles with dynamic head-tracking? That's more of an issue sadly, since 360 Reality Audio isn't what it once was (Deezer and Tidal no longer support the format) and as such, you might feel you're missing out – where options such as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) do offer that, in various guises and in conjunction with tweakable ANC.
Value: 4 / 5
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Sony WF-1000XM6 review?
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
Stuffed to the gills with perks, but the ANC isn't class-leading – and spatial audio is hard to come by
4/5
Sound quality
Neutrality and faithfulness in spades, but they could use just a little oomph injection at times
4/5
Design
The tweaked taller shape may work for you, or it may not, but they do well in most areas
4/5
Value
Plenty to celebrate and competitively priced, but there are a few compromises you need to make
4/5
(Image credit: Future)
Buy them if…
You really need a good quick attention feature I've tried literally scores of wireless earbuds that claim to offer an effective way to quickly hear external sounds without the faff of removing your buds or fully going into a transparency mode. I maintain that Sony's Speak to Chat (simply speak, and the music pauses and ambient sound filters in) and Quick Attention (cover the left bud for the same thing) features are the best in the business.
You want a rock-solid connection Thanks to that larger antenna, I never once had Bluetooth connectivity dropouts using these earbuds in any situation, and you can prioritize the connection stability over audio quality – well done, Sony.
You're fed up of dropping your buds on the floor Often grab your buds a hurry? Sony's worked hard to make sure there's enough traction on the earpieces and within the design of the case so that you won't lose a bud underfoot as you try to pluck them out of their battery nests, and it really works.
Don’t buy them if…
You want the absolute best noise cancellation around It pains me to say this, because I really did want Sony to challenge the likes of Bose and Apple here. Sadly, in my tests it didn't quite match up to what was promised.
You need them for super long-haul flights The battery life is far from bad here, but it hasn't been upgraded from the older set. And compared to direct rivals it can be bettered – the Technics EAH-AZ100 lasted over an hour longer, in my tests.
You want easy-to-find head-tracked spatial audio At the time of writing, you can still get 360 Reality Audio on Amazon Music Unlimited, but it's safe to say that support for this Sony tech is on the wane.
Sony WF-1000XM6 review: Also consider
Sony WF-1000XM6
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Technics EAH-AZ100
Price
$329 / £250 / AU$TBC
$249 / £219 / AU$429
$299 / £299 / AU$450
$299 / £259 / AU$478 (approx.)
Drivers
'Unique' 8.4mm dynamic with 'soft edge, hard center'
'Custom high-excursion' Apple driver with new multiport acoustic architecture
Apple AirPods Pro 3 No LDAC, but these will take your heart-rate, offer a pretty comprehensive hearing test and (provided you've got an iPhone) translate various languages for you. Also, the ANC is some of the most effective I've ever heard, and Dolby Atmos head-tracked spatial audio is excellent. iPhone owner? You'll be hard pushed to beat these… Read my in-depth AirPods Pro 3 review for the full scoop.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) This is the better pick over the XM6 for device- and streamer-agnostic immersive audio profiles, wonderful noise cancellation, and a colorful look (if you like). Some wearers may find the buds a touch big (though they're secure and fit excellently), but if profiles that combine bubble-of-silence ANC as a backdrop for wonderful spatial audio experiences sounds like your bag, you've found the best buy in the business. See our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review for more. View Deal
Technics EAH-AZ100 An option with slightly better stamina that also offers slightly better sound quality – and just costs slightly more. You'll still get LDAC higher-resolution Bluetooth support if you've got a device that supports it, but here, you also get multi-point to three brand-agnostic devices (rather than the standard two) and for me, the fit is also just that bit better. And Technics' sidetone tech (to better hear your own voice in calls) makes them the better bet for call handling. Get the full picture in our Technics EAH-AZ100 review.
(Image credit: Future)
How I tested the Sony WF-1000XM6
Tested for two weeks
Tested at home, on a plane, on long train journeys, and while running (occasionally in the rain)
I used the Sony WF-1000XM6 for two weeks to complete this review. My testing process involved listening to new music on Tidal, Qobuz and Apple Music as well as podcasts and plus streamed TV shows from my Apple iPhone 15 Pro (I'm catching up on Married at First Sight UK, please don't judge me) on long train journeys to and from London. I also paired simultaneously to my MacBook Pro and both connections were easy and solid.
I listened at home, on a quiet train, on admittedly half-hearted runs in the constant UK rain, and I even taught myself to make natural soy wax candles from YouTube videos with the WF-1000XM6.
I've been testing audio products full-time since 2019, firstly at TechRadar's sister publication What Hi-Fi? as a staff writer, then as senior writer and now audio editor here at TechRadar.
My background as a professional dancer means I never tire of listening to music, and my still-insatiable need to move to what I'm hearing is what drives me to search for faithful timing, neutrality, precision, clarity, energy, and good old fashioned fun in recorded audio.
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