Sony’s New Flagship XM6 Earbuds, OWS LinkBuds Launched

After a three-year wait, Sony has finally unveiled its next-generation flagship adaptive noise canceling earbuds, the WF1000XM6, along with its new LinkBuds Clip OWS earbuds.
Sony is launching the XM6 as the “best sound experience anytime, anywhere.”

According to Sony, the new XM6 offers the “ultimate silence, supreme sound,” and improves on its predecessor thanks to:

• new redesigned drivers tuned by Grammy-winning mastering engineers,
• an ergonomic redesign “based on tons of ear data,” according to Sony, that improves noise cancelling, comfort, and stability,
• 25% more noise reduction thanks to a new QN3e HD noise canceling processor with a new adaptive noise cancellation optimizer able to adjust for loose or tight fit and improve mid-to-high frequency ranges,
• 8 microphones instead of 6 (4 vs. 3 on each bud) to improve noise reduction,
• Bluetooth 5.3 with more consistent connectivity thanks to a 1.5 times larger antenna, support for Auracast, and are LE Audio “ready,” and,
• what Sony calls its “best” call quality thanks to bone conduction sensors, two microphones for AI beamforming, and AI noise reduction to isolate voices from background noise, and

Even with the improvements, Sony has maintained the XM5’s price for the XM6 – $329.99. The XM6 also maintains the XM5’s battery life – 8 hours of playtime on a single charge, 24 total hours with case recharges, and also runs on the XM5’s V2 processor.

Also held over from the XM5 are a slew of high-def audio format compatibility, including Hi-Res Audio, DSEE Extreme, and 360 Reality Audio, along with a 10-band equalizer, headtracking, and Background Music Effect, all accessible on Sony’s latest Sound Connect app, as well as access to Google’s Gemini AI, multipoint connectivity, and Qi wireless charging. The XM6 includes four ear tip choices.

LinkBuds Clip Improvement

In what is suddenly becoming a burgeoning market, Sony has also started shipping its new OWS (Open Wireless Stereo) LinkBuds Clip ($229), originally announced on Jan. 21. Clip joins the LinkBuds Fit and the LinkBuds Open, which became available in late 2024. The original LinkBuds mid-range series earbuds were launched in 2022.

Expanding its LinkBuds line makes sense considering the growing popularity of what Sony calls “always on, stay connected to surroundings” open bud design. According to Omdia, global OWS shipments surpassed 10 million units in Q3 2025, the last period for which OWS shipments have been reported, an impressive 69% YoY jump, more than offsetting a 4% YoY decline in conventional TWS shipments during the fall quarter.

The Q3 sales surge of OWS models “validates OWS as a legitimate category that is reshaping how consumers think about hearable devices,” noted Omdia Research Manager Cynthia Chen. “However, inherent sound quality limitations keep most OWS products concentrated in the $50-150 mid-range, making it difficult to compete directly with high-end in-ear models.”

Sony obviously intends its LinkBuds to defy this OWS quality/price conventional wisdom, as does Sony’s premium earbud competitor maker, Bose, with its now two-year-old OWS Bose Ultra Open Earbuds ($299, now discounted to $199).

Like the XM6, the new Sony LinkBuds Clip includes a raft of improvements over current LinkBuds models, including:

• AI adaptive noise reduction,
• air-fitting silicone cushions for a more custom fit,
• added standard/voice boost/sound leakage listening modes, to enhance the audio book or podcast quality,
• a bone conduction sensor to improve call clarity,
• up to 9 hours of playtime on a single charge and 37 hours with the charging case, plus 3 minutes of charge for an hour of playtime, compared to 5.5/21 hours for the Fit, and
• an improved antenna for a more stable Bluetooth connection

Available in four pastel colors – purple and white. light green and black, the Clip can be accessorized by separate case covers ($24.99), available only on the Sony website.

Finally, for its flagship WH1000XM6 headphones, unveiled last May ($459.99), Sony has added a new sand pink color.

See also: Cleer Arc 4 Brings THX And Dolby Credibility To The Open-Ear Category