Sony WF-1000XM6 iFixit Teardown

iFixit has released their Sony WF-1000XM6 teardown. While not as detailed as their WH-1000XM6 teardown, the new video does provide new insight into the design and construction of the case and earbuds.

Opening the earbuds is much simpler and easier than with the previous models, as iFixit states, the glue holding the top cover is not as strong as before, and a hairdryer should be enough to soften the glue.

Using a heatgun or hairdryer, heat the seam around the top of the earbuds.

Insert a sharp thin edge into the seam and begin to pry it open. The glue should be soft enough, but if it is not, reheat or apply a tiny bit of isopropyl alcohol to the seam.

Like we observed in the FCC teardown, the top cover with the touch pad and antenna is connected using 2 spring pins. The absence of any connecting cables and the presence of the plastic cover over the components, will help to minimize any potential damage when opening up the earbuds.

The iFixit teardown flex PCB has a date code of 2549, or 49th week of 2025 (early December). It looks like production started some time in around November/December. The pre-production model in the FCC teardown was from May 2025 (2521) for comparison.

Using a spudger, you be able to lift the flex PCB connection away from the main SiP board. Do not use too much force as not to damage the thin flexible cable.

It seems that both the pre-production and production models use the same black flex PCB assembly, while the prototype from the Sony Engineer interview used a gold/yellow colour PCB. Probably of no importance.

From the iFixit video, it looks like the SiP is not glued in, as it fell out of the earbuds when it was removed. It seems that the SiP is held in place using the flex PCB connection and the top cover.

After removing the SiP, we can see what looks like a small sponge, which could be an EMI gasket, used for grounding and electrical isolation. This sponge was absent in the FCC teardown photos.

Next up is the resin side of the SiP. The text is not clearly visible in the video, but if you zoom in close enough, GSBR-0005 is visible, see here for the actual text from the FCC teardown.

The remainder of the flex PCB assembly is glued into place and will require ispropyl alcohol to free it from the earbud.

The internal battery is held in place with glue/tape, and is connected to the flex PCB using 2 contacts which can be seen below. Previously both the WF-1000XM3 and WF-1000XM4 used similar contacts, with Sony deciding to switch things up with the WF-1000XM5, and soldering the battery to the flex PCB. The return to physical contacts and no soldering is encouraging.

After removing the battery, we can see the first feedback MEMS microphone, and the connections for the charging contact pins (yellow arrows).

This is where iFixit stopped the earbud teardown as they did not want to damage the rest of components, while attempting to remove them. Makes sense.

Thanks to Lumafield, who provided the amazing CT scans in the video, we get to see that there are 2 chips inside the SiP under the resin as suggested by the video from Sony.

The Sony product video is not entirely 100% representative of the actual layout on the PCB, but it does show that the QN3e is larger than the V2, matching the photo from the Lumafield scan.

It is unfortunate that the chips were not revealed in the FCC filing.

Moving to the charging case. To open up the case, insert a plastic pick between the top of the inside and the edge. Run the pick around the perimeter of the edge to unclip the top from the bottom. There should be 8 clips, 2 on each side.

Be careful not to apply too much pressure on the edge of the bottom section, as it can break.

Next slide the bottom off the case.

Removing the bottom we can see the wireless charging coil on the bottom. Like in the WF-1000XM5, the charging coil is soldered to the PCB.

 The battery holder is held on with clips around the edge (red arrows).

The lower section of the battery compartment is screwed into the main body with 2 screws. Removing this cover reveals the main case PCB. The PCB is attached with 1 screw located beside the USB-C port.

The main PCB is connected to a smaller secondary PCB via a ribbon cable.



The secondary PCB is held in place with 3 screws, the PCB is labelled as CASE SUB.

The major reveal in the iFixit teardown is that Sony has decided to solder the battery connections to the PCB. In the WF-1000XM5 and WF-1000XM4, Sony used a JST connector for the battery, meaning replacing the battery would be very quick and easy for any user.

This change to a soldered connection is puzzling, as Sony has been using a JST connection on almost all of their new models, like WF-C710N, WH-1000XM6 and the new LinkBuds Clip. Would love to hear the explanation and reason for this change from Sony. iFixit states there is enough room for a JST connection, so even more puzzling.

Here are the battery details, matching what I posted in the FCC teardown update. The battery in this unit is from Springpower.

 
Here we have the main case PCB. The components are more or less similar and in certain instances, identical to the WF-1000XM5. There is even a small self resetting fuse (red square) beside the USB-C port like in XM5. As mentioned earlier, both the battery and wireless charging coil connections are soldered.

A comparison with the WF-1000XM5 case PCB.

WF-1000XM5 case PCB - source: 52Audio

The iFixit video only has brief glimpses of the reverse side of the case PCB, with these 2 photos. Some components appear to differ from the WF-1000XM5. 

 Sony has decided to move both the charging contacts and notification LED to the secondary SUB PCB.

There are 3 cables going from the CASE SUB board to the third smaller PCB, CASE HALL. I cannot really work out what this extra third PCB is for. From the video, there is definitely some component(s) on the board, so the board has to serve some kind of purpose.

Whatever this is, it seems to be pointing or directed at the space between the earbuds. But nothing is shown in the guide regarding this area of the case. Maybe some kind of sensor? Anyone have any ideas?

Update, thank you anonymous comment, the third PCB may have a hall effect sensor which is used to detect the opening and closing of the case. 

Pros

• Easier and simpler opening of earbuds
• Earbud battery no longer soldered
• Charging case easily opened

Cons

• Charging case battery soldered to PCB
• Replacing earbud battery still not a simple procedure

So the iFixit teardown revels some goods news and bad news. The addition of 2 extra PCBs inside the case surprised me, but at least they can be removed rather easily. It will be interesting if the new Zenipower Z55FA battery appears on online marketplaces like Aliepxress in the future. Now we wait for a full teardown from 52Audio.

Source: iFixit Teardown