Sony says the WH-1000XM5 features a slightly modified design (via Yahoo Finance). This is in addition to improved battery life, and better active noise cancellation (ANC) performance. The company said it is partnering with multi-platinum R&B artist Khalid for the WH-1000XM5 launch. The headphones still use the HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1, so there’s nothing new in that regard. However, it also packs the Integrated Processor V1, first seen on the WF-1000XM4. These two processors are coupled with eight microphones for improved noise-canceling performance. Sony is also leveraging the DSEE Extreme technology to rebuild audio lost during digital compression. Although not many customers are likely to notice this feature during their use, Sony claims this significantly enhances the user’s listening experience.
The battery life of the WH-1000XM5 is rated to be 30 hours, while a 3-minute quick charge can fetch 3 hours of use
Another major upgrade here is with regard to battery performance. The Sony WH-1000XM5 can last for up to 30 hours on a single charge, in line with its predecessors. Thanks to fast charging via USB Power Delivery, the headphones can provide three hours of playback with just a three-minute charge. While aptX is missing on the WH-1000XM5, it does come with LDAC support. Sony is bundling features like Adaptive Sound Control and all the familiar voice assistants, including Alexa and Google Assistant. It also supports Google Fast Pair, which can certainly come in handy. It’s too early to tell if this is a worthy successor to the 2020 model, particularly considering that it costs $50 more. But, Sony believes that the new hardware and design features justify the price increase. On the bright side, customers will now find exciting discounts on the WH-1000XM4. We expect the prices to dip further as the WH-1000XM5 hits the shelves.
