Four years after their initial 2020 launch, Sony is bringing back its highly regarded WH-1000XM4 noise-canceling headphones. The new iteration, branded as the WH-1000XM4C, maintains the exact visual design and form factor that made the original model a staple on industry 'best-of' lists for several years.

The original XM4 headphones were widely praised for their sound quality, effective active noise cancellation (ANC), and compact, foldable design. They served as a primary competitor to Bose during a period of rapid innovation in the consumer audio market. After the original model went out of stock, Sony decided to refresh the product line rather than move on to a completely new design.

According to reports, the XM4C model features only minor improvements over the 2020 version. While the aesthetic remains identical to the black 2020 release, the company is introducing new color options, such as white, to distinguish the current offering. The move is viewed as a strategic decision to keep a proven, high-performing product available to consumers who prefer the established XM4 design over newer, potentially more expensive or differently styled alternatives.