My initial plan was to use photos from marketplace listings of the fake WF-1000XM5, but the photos were of mediocre quality and did not show enough details. So I decided to order a pair from Aliexpress myself so I could get a better hands on with the fakes. With free shipping, the fake WF-1000XM5 cost about 21 Euros/24 USD, which was surprisingly cheap.
The mysterious YY2998 has been certified on the FCC. We already knew the headset came with noise cancellation thanks to the Indonesian certification, but the FCC filing finally confirms it is an over-ear model. My best guess is this is the new WH-CH730N, assuming Sony keeps the 700 series naming scheme.
Sony has released a new firmware update for the WH-1000XM5, version 2.5.1, which brings some new features and a security update.
A new Walkman has appeared on the Geekbench. Unfortunately I do not have any direct information from any sources to confirm or deny the existence of a new Walkman model, so we will need to examine the listing and dig deep. Thanks again to E_D___B_A_N_G_E_R from reddit in helping gather the details.
It appears that Sony is slowly addressing the Bluetooth vulnerability in their models using Airoha/Mediatek SoCs. The ULT WEAR is the latest model receiving the update.
Sony has released a new firmware update for the WH-CH720N. This update address the Bluetooth vulnerability affecting Airoha chipsets.
If you spend a lot of money on a pair of headphones or earbuds, you expect them to work. But when basic issues, like connectivity or charging problems appear, the frustration begins.
If you own an Android device that is not running Android 11 or higher, you may be able to upgarde in the future to the upcoming 12.5 version of Sound Connect. Thanks E_D___B_A_N_G_E_R for the info.
Sony has released the first firmware update for the WF-C710N. My own unit suffers from an issue where the audio quality on Windows 11 drops to sub 64kbps quality with intermittent cutouts. Disconnecting and reconnecting the earbuds solves this issue, but my other Sony earbud models do not have this problem.
Sony trademarked "True RGB" in October in Japan and Canada. Could this be the moniker or tagline Sony will use on their 2026 Bravia lineup with their new RGB mini-LED tech? It makes sense and does fit with the new advancement that is RGB mini-LED.
A new unknown heasdset has appeared in import listings, HDX-3005, or YY3005. The description is rather puzzling, but it does include the word "shawl", the same term is used in other models, the term does not always seem to correspond to the type of headset, in-ear or over-ear.
A new import filing has revealed another upcoming headset, YY3000. All 3 import listings are for Japan, and the headset is described as having a "charging box", so a charging case.
This update fixes the issue for some users who were unable to connect their headset to the app after the 6.0.0 update.
Thanks to a SIM database, we know that Sony will have 2 Xperia models in 2026. The new model, PM-153x could be the lower end Xperia 10 VIII. Thanks to everyone who messaged me and sent this in.
I was originally planning on adding this content to the previous fake WH-1000XM5 post, but decided to make it a separate post as it became much longer than I anticipated. So here is a guide how to spot the new fakes and what to look for when buying previously owned WH-1000XM5 headsets online.
Sony's flagship model is also receiving a firmware update today just like the WF-1000XM5. Here are the new changes in this release:
Sony has released a new firmware update for the WF-1000XM5, bringing the version up to 6.0.0. The firmware adds the following:
Qualcomm is hosting their Snapdragon Summit 2025 event this week, and today they announced their new premium SoC, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. The major news for Xperia fans is not the chip itself, but what Qualcomm mentioned in their press release.
Lately, I feel like I am only posting up photos of model numbers and nothing more. Anyway, here is another model number, YY2999.
For another emailing in and asking where to find replacement earpads for their WH-1000XM6, well I might have something for you finally. Thanks to everyone who sent in the links. This is not a sponsored post, Wicked Cushion is not paying me for this post. The only money I will make is through the affiliate links from Amazon.
Just my luck. Only yesterday I wrote that we should see YY3004 sometime in September, guess that sometime is today. While I do not have direct evidence this is YY3004, it matches the colours and the in-ear nature of the design. We will have to wait for a reference guide to confirm this is YY3004. And confirmed, through the online guide.
Apart from the newly discovered YY3006, I also found another new model, YY3008 (HDX-3008) in an import listing. The information from the listing seems to imply this is most likely a over-ear headset, possibly with a touch panel (circuit board pad), see update below.
With the recent INZONE announcement, we were left with only a few unreleased models from Sony. First the WF-1000XM6 (YY2985), YY2998, and YY3004. But now, a new model has appeared in import listings, HDX-3006. Only Sony uses the HDX code for, and they did for almost all of their previous models as well, see this post here.
I discovered this model a few months back in an import filing, but the was not much information apart from that it was set of Sony headphones. With additional import filings, we could be looking at another gaming headset. But so far there is no indication whether we are looking at a wireless or wired model.
The INZONE H9 internal photos from the FCC listing have become available. Let us see what Sony has changed, and what they kept the same. We know Sony borrowed the driver from the WH-1000XM6, but did they borrow anything else from their flagship model? The photos are not the best quality, buy they provide some insight into the new model. Check out the 52Audio's teardown of the INZONE H9 for comparison photos.
Last day Sony released a firmware update for the WH-1000XM6. The update should be rolling out now, but if you did not get any notification, just wait, as not all regions receive the update at the same time.
Sony revealed their 2025 INZONE lineup today. The live event video was rather lackluster, so if you did not catch it, you did not miss much. A total of 7 new products were announced if you count the 2 mouse pads, and the new black INZONE H3. Here is the full list:
Sony will unveil a few new INZONE products tomorrow. The new headset was hinted by billbil_kun and dealabs in their article, but we will get 4 new products in total. Thanks to the teaser from Sony themselves, we have confirmation of the new INZONE H9 II headset, a wireless gaming mouse, a wireless gaming keyboard, and a 4th mystery device. Thanks to Mihael for the video link.
If you lost an earbud or one stopped working, this guide by Ooh_Jim from reddit will let you pair a replacement earbud, with your existing case.
Sony has trademarked something interesting, "1000X THE COLLEXION". The trademark was filled in late June in both Japan and Canada. The trademark hints at what products could be part of this series/collection in the description.
Sony has released a firmware update for the WH-CH720N. It addresses one issue with the iPhone and the security vulnerabilities would with Airoha/Mediatek chipsets. It is good to see Sony will be updating at least some of their mid level models, with perhaps further down the road the rest of the lineup.
Uh...wtf. Another post on reddit. Very similar failure, the metal piece dislocating from the plastic socket. This is not great optics, especially with the recent Xperia 1 VII issues. Here is what OP wrote:
Well that did not take long. This first real failure was posted on reddit, but user Character-Zombie-232. The original post is from Chinese Tik Tok, link here. The original user said they were careful with their headset, so they were surprised they actually broke, as the rest of the build quality is solid.
We are half way through the year and that means it is Prime Day on Amazon, and it is for 4 entire days. Whether you are a fan of Amazon or not, they do offer some pretty deep discounts. Plus their return policy is very good, as is the warranty. Any purchases made through the links do earn the blog some commission which goes back into domain and cookie hosting, plus buying any future reviews units. So if you have been undecided on a new model, perhaps some discounts will convince you otherwise.
A new security update firmware has been released by Sony for the A and ZX Walkmans. This brings the Android patch level up to April 2025.
Sony has released the first firmware update for the new WH-1000XM6. There are a lot of changes in this new firmware, including the security updates for the issues with Airoha's chipsets.
Sony has dropped a new firmware update for the WF-1000XM5, version 5.0.2, which is a big jump from the previous 4.0.2. Here are the changes:
Sony has added a new pink colour option to their LinkBuds Fit line. The new colour should be available in major markets already with availability expanding new regions over the next couple of weeks. Price is the same as the other colours.
I have discovered a new Sony headset code, YY2998, in an import filing. The only information we have is the type of headset, over-ears, and the colours, black and silver.
Back in May. the internal code for the WF-1000XM6 was revealed by none other than Sony in their Sound Connect app. Since that post, not only has Sony removed any mention of the WF-1000XM6 in the app, they also removed all of the YY codes.
I have found a new Sony YY code, YY2989, in an import filing. This import filing does not have a model number attached, so we can only guess what this could be based off the information provided.
My WH-1000XM6 specification deep dive has been posted, so now let us look at the inside, and see what has changed. The FCC photos reveal a lot of details, and while we lack a 52Audio teardown, iFixit have uploaded their own teardown on YouTube, with a lot of details. Do make sure to check it out. Okay buckle in, this will be a long post. Update: 52Audio has posted their teardown.
The highly anticipated Sony WH-1000XM6 was finally announced last week. We had to wait an extra year for the new model, but was this wait worth it, or should you save your money, and keep your WH-1000XM5? Time for a deep dive of the new model. Sony has published the Sony Engineer interview, click here.
Back in February 2025, I posted about a new unknown model, YY3004. This information came from a knowledgeable source, but what they provided was limited. The only information I received apart from the model code, were the colours, black, white, and blue.
A new model has been revealed by a Korean RRA certification, YY2995, described as an "USB Type-C Audio Box". Could this be a new Sony USB DAC amp like the PHA-3?
