I feel a need to buy Sony's new WF-1000XM4 wireless earbuds, here's why
When Sony's WF-1000XM3 earbuds made their market debut back in 2019, there was a strong consideration in purchasing this audio device. For me, active noise cancellation was a central selling point. But two glaring issues impacted my decision to go with another brand. Firstly, there is no touch sensor, so users can control the volume, skip music tracks, or answer calls. And secondly, it lacked IPX protection from water and dust, so my eventual purchase ended up being the Samsung Galaxy Buds.
This week, Sony launched their 2nd generation wireless ANC earbuds, dubbed the WF-1000XM4. It has a whole new design and added features (critical features) missing from the last iteration. It now has capacitive touch controls and on-ear detection, with an IPX4 protection rating. I suddenly have the urge to splurge. Aside from sound and active noise cancellation, here are some other feature selling points that may entice me to buy these earbuds.
What stands out the most about the WF-1000XM4 wireless earbuds is the battery life—up to eight hours of ANC play from each earbud, 12-hours with canceling switched off, 24-hours of standard playback without noise cancellation. The case itself charges via USB-C and wireless Qi charging. A five-minute charge can give you up to 60-minutes of playtime.
The issue I had with Sony’s WF-1000XM3 is the bulkiness of the earbuds and charging case. The primary reason why I didn’t make the purchase. I wasn’t sure whether or not the earbuds will fit securely in my ears. The WF-1000MX4, from my viewpoint, has an impressive ergonomic design. The charging case itself is said to be 40% smaller, while the earbuds themselves are, again, said to be 10% smaller. The sheer compactness of the earbuds is the major reason why without hesitation, make the purchase.
Much like the last-gen model, the WF-1000XM4 aren't cheap; they retail for $278. Major vendors such as Amazon and Best Buy now have them in stock in two color schemes, matte black, and white silver. Once I purchase these earbuds, expect a follow-up review.
