Another Sony WF-1000XM4 battery failure
In my previous post, I used the word exploded and I will admit it was the wrong term, failure might be a better term in the previous case, but perhaps not this one.
From talking to the user on Reddit, this seems more like an actual case of the battery exploding than just failing and popping open. Here are some of their replies to my questions:
- The headset was purchased in July 2021 in Canada at London Drugs
- The user did experience battery drain and it was around 1-2 hours of battery life which is pretty pathetic
- The firmware was 1.4.2
- The user never had the batteries replaced, so they are the original ones from the factory
- Charging was via USB and not AC adapter
- Case did get warm during recharging, the LED also flashed red which is indicative of overheating according to the online guide
Here is what Reddit user akwok said occurred:
Context:
I took the earbuds off during a work meeting on my desk and a few minutes later was startled by a loud POP and a chemical-like smell. One of the earbuds had popped completely open and the inner battery (?) coil was split as well.
So this seems more like the small coin cell exploded, rather than just the adhesive failing. Perhaps such small coin cells fail (explode?) in this manner.
Close up shot of the battery.
So while not confirmed, I am suspecting the Zenipower batteries are at fault here. I wonder if Sony caught this during later production runs and fixed the issue or if this problem is still present in ALL WF-1000XM4 units.
If the issue is still present in all WF-1000XM4 batteries, the device needs a recall or fix because at this point, an exploding earbud in someone's ear might cause permanent damage. So if anyone from Sony is reading this. Time to start SOLVING THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY, before someone gets hurt and you have a lawsuit on your hands.
I will caution any users who are suffering from severe battery drain and your headset warms up way too much during charging to stop using them, because an earbud exploding in your ear would not be ideal.
Mine also stopped working well. All of a sudden battery started draining and charging wrong, not uniform. I already updated many firmwares to the latest, but still not working properly. I am a Sony fan, but this could end if they don’t fix this issue soon. Support is so deficient!
ReplyDeletecontact sony, see what they say. tell them your battery on one side is lasting 30 minutes or less and the other side 3 or 4 hours.
DeleteI called twice and twice they told me be ause I purchased via eBay they are not responsible for the ear buds but of course I could always send them to their people to have fixed for a price. They know there's an issue after the latest update but....
DeleteI had to buy a couple of new batteries from Amazon and replace them, because with the same firmware 1.4.2, the right earphone lasted less than 30 minutes on charge, after 2 months I had to replace the one in the left earphone.
ReplyDeleteBefore replacing the batteries I tried everything, forcing the firmware update to the latest available in Japan, but to no avail, the firmware 1.4.2 had already damaged both batteries.
I am still thinking whether to risk buying the XM5 when they are released for the sound quality of the XM4 or to buy the BOSE.
I owned XM4's no issues. However reading this battery issue is NOT GOOD SONY. I may not buy the XM5s at all, and go with BOSE. This is disappointing. Thanks for this
ReplyDeleteI got mine replaced a week ago under an extended warranty claim. Only 18 months old. One of them was having weird charging issues. Be in the case all night, be only 40% charged, then put them on charge for 1min and it would be up to 80%. I got the replaced. I bought the same ones again though as they are awesome earphones.
ReplyDeleteContact Sony. Mine had the same battery drain issue and they'll replace the entire set, regardless warranty, by a brand new one. It's a bit of headache but Sony is making good for it. Besides, undeniably sounds much better than Bose
ReplyDeleteHello, i bought these headset from a friend, who gave me the original receipt from the shop. How can i contact sony to get them replaced? They are still within the original warranty.
Deletecontact Sony support from your country via the support website/chat.
DeleteMay 2024: Just to confirm current status... I contacted Customer Service for my 2-1/2 year old XM4 earbuds with only 40 minute battery life until dead on one side while the other was still at 85%. Sony had me send them in for service with original receipt... and they replace both earbuds, no charge. Quick, friendly and efficient service.
ReplyDelete