Sony WF-C500 Leaked by retailer

I revealed the WF-C500 design back in July from certification documents, but such certification photos rarely do a device justice due to their lower quality and often using prototypes or pre-production devices. Fortunately for us, a major retailer's website (now removed), had the WF-C500 up as a listing and naturally I saved the photos and specs.

So let me start off with the product description from the retailer:

Discover the freedom of Bluetooth® connectivity with the compact WF-C500 truly wireless earbuds, combining uncompromising sound with great battery life, personalization, and IPX4 water resistance for music that goes anywhere. Whether you’re at home, working out, or out exploring, these small and comfortable earbuds are the essential everyday companion.

The addition of IPX4 water resistance is a nice feature and should be a benefit when using these for exercise. The price on the website was $79.98 USD (~67 Euros), if this is the actual price (more on that later), then I would expect the device to retail for 79 Euros in Europe due to the extra VAT.

From the certification, we know 4 colours will be offered, black, green, white and orange. The listing only had the black model, so perhaps only this colour will be available in the US, or the the other colour listings were not on the retailer yet.

Here are some of the specifications from the website:

• Up to 10 hours of battery life, total of 20 hours with the charging case
• DSEE functionality
• Splash-proof and sweat-proof with an IPX4 rating
• Optional use of one earbud only
• Small and light for a great fit and all day wear
• Ergonomic Surface Design conforms to most ear shapes 
• Sony 360 Reality Audio compatible
• Sony | Headphones Connect app compatible

There is mention of a button for easy control of the earbuds, and the only button which I can see is the large flat surface which either is touch sensitive or can be pressed. I do not see any other side buttons on the earbuds in the photos, only a LED and microphone hole.

EDIT: for those asking, there was no mention of codec support in the retail listing, but expect only AAC and SBC.

Using the USB type-C cable as the size scale, here is a comparison to the WF-1000XM4. Hopefully this is accurate.

The WF-C500 look to be about the same size. but do not stick out of the ear as much due to their flatter design. Will be interesting to see how much the new headset shares with the WF-1000XM4. From the Bluetooth certification, we know the Bluetooth is an Airoha chip, either from the AB153x or AB156x line. I know the WF-XB700 used the Airoha AB1552, so Sony using a new Airoha chip for the WF-C500 is nothing new. I would imagine the battery will be the same as in the WF-XB700 and WF-SP800N models.

And now for the rest of the photos

Charging care, not too dissimilar to the WF-XB700

The new headset seems like it has a good snug fit in the ear.

On final note, Sony's own rewards site has the new headset listed. No doubt when I post this article, Sony will remove the link, so below is a screenshot of the page. No other new headsets are listed on the site, so the WF-C500 might release before the YY2951.

Click for larger size

The amount of points is 9,999. Looking at the WF-1000XM4, it requires 27,999 points or the same as the retail price, $279 USD, so perhaps the WF-C500 will come in at $99 USD and not $79 USD as in the retail listing. Once Sony announces these, we will know for sure.

Unfortunately I still do not have information about the YY2951 and YY2953, but hoping I will get something soon. Recall the YY2951 leaked with the WF-C500 back in July, but no model name was given in the certification papers.

As always leave any comments below.

Finally if you are reading on news.nextcloud.asia, then no I did not post on that site, the person reposting my articles is NOT me and they are stealing my content. Of course they will just translate this and repost it.

Source: Walmart (not working anymore), Sony Rewards