Sony is preparing another WH-1000XM6 over-ear wireless headphone refresh with a new color option

Sony’s WH-1000XM6 headphones are already among the most recognizable premium wireless over-ear models on the market, and it now appears that the company is preparing to give them another subtle refresh. Rather than introducing a major hardware revision, the latest evidence suggests Sony may be planning a new color option designed to extend the appeal of its flagship noise-canceling headphones later this year.

Sony already offers the WH-1000XM6 in five different versions. Fresh evidence suggests the company is planning another update for its popular wireless over-ear headphones, with a further visual refresh expected later this year.

A new look for Sony’s flagship headphones

The Walkman Blog has uncovered new information pointing to an upcoming refresh of Sony’s well-known WH-1000XM6 headphones. For context, Sony introduced a dedicated gaming mode for the WH-1000XM6 at the end of June, with the same update also rolling out to The ColleXion. That firmware update added support for Gaming Audio Profile, a low-latency Bluetooth profile designed for gaming, while also improving general performance.

That update showed Sony was still actively developing the WH-1000XM6 experience beyond its original launch feature set. While the headphones are already positioned as a premium audio product, software additions such as dedicated gaming support help broaden their usefulness and keep them competitive against rivals in the high-end wireless headphone space.

Sony describes the WH-1000XM6 as offering its “most advanced noise cancellation yet”, with the headphones using a next-generation chip and adaptive microphone system to optimize noise canceling in real time. The model also features the HD Noise Canceling Processor QN3, 30 mm drivers, LDAC support and multipoint connectivity, alongside a foldable design that marked a welcome return after the WH-1000XM5’s more divisive fixed form factor.

The Walkman Blog has discovered new details about an impending refresh of Sony’s popular WH-1000XM6 headphones. For context, the company brought a dedicated gaming mode to the WH-1000XM6 at the end of June, with an equivalent update reaching The ColleXion, too. Shortly before that, Sony refreshed the former with a Sandstone colorway (curr. $459 on Amazon). The second re-release of its kind this year, Sandstone arrived just three months after the company expanded the WH-1000XM6 to include a Sand Pink option. As a result, the WH-1000XM6 are currently available in a choice of five colors, including the Black, Platinum Silver and Midnight variants that have been sold since launch day.”

Could Sony be preparing a green WH-1000XM6?

According to The Walkman Blog, newly uncovered import documentation now points to a sixth color option. At present, the filings identify it only by the letter “G”. Even so, the publication believes the code is more likely to stand for Green than Gold.

The reasoning is that Sony already markets green editions of both the LinkBuds Clip and LinkBuds Fit. This would make Green a logical addition to the WH-1000XM6 range, particularly as Sony has recently shown a willingness to move beyond the more traditional Black, Platinum Silver and Midnight finishes.

It would also align with Sony’s broader strategy for the WH-1000XM6 this year. The company first expanded the range with Sand Pink, before following with Sandstone, which The Walkman Blog described as a dark beige finish. A green version would give the line another lifestyle-led option without changing the core hardware.

Why color matters more than it sounds

On paper, a new colorway may seem like a minor update. In practice, it can be an effective way to keep a premium product visible long after launch. Headphones such as the WH-1000XM6 are worn in public, carried on commutes and used while traveling, so buyers often treat them as both tech and personal accessories.

That is especially true at the premium end of the market, where shoppers are not simply choosing the cheapest pair with active noise cancellation. They are often deciding between Sony, Bose, Sennheiser, Apple and other rivals based on comfort, styling, ecosystem features and long-term software support.

The WH-1000XM6 is still widely viewed as one of Sony’s strongest headphone releases. What Hi-Fi? recently named it the best overall headphone pick in its 2026 guide, highlighting its refined design, improved noise cancellation and premium sound.

A small refresh, but a smart one

If accurate, the new color would mark the third visual expansion for the WH-1000XM6 this year. Sony previously added Sand Pink, followed by Sandstone, giving buyers more choice without altering the core identity of the headphones.

That strategy makes sense for a product like the WH-1000XM6. Premium headphones are often treated not only as audio devices but also as everyday accessories, so color choice can be an important part of their appeal. A green finish could help Sony reach buyers who want something more distinctive than the standard launch colors, while still keeping the design understated enough for daily use.

For existing WH-1000XM6 owners, the rumored color refresh is unlikely to change much. For anyone still deciding whether to buy Sony’s flagship over-ear headphones, however, it may be worth waiting to see whether this sixth finish becomes official.

Beyond that, no additional details have emerged so far. In the meantime, however, The Walkman Blog has produced mock-up images showing how the WH-1000XM6 could appear in a green finish.