[Updated] Sony WF-1000XM4 battery saga holding back potential WF-1000XM5 buyers ahead of July 24 launch

New updates are being added at the bottom of this story…….

Original story (published on Jul. 19, 2023) follows:

Sony recently announced their new earbuds, the WF-1000XM5, which has created excitement among tech enthusiasts. These earbuds are set to launch on July 25 as the successor to WF-1000XM4 model.

However, the battery woes experienced by XM4 users, coupled with rumored price increase of the XM5, have left some potential buyers hesitant to make the switch.

Sony WF-1000XM4 has received praise for its exceptional audio quality, noise-canceling capabilities, and overall user experience. Unfortunately, its recent battery drain issues have overshadowed these positive aspects.

Reports of rapid battery depletion even when the earbuds are not in use have been a major concern.

This problem has been further exacerbated by inconsistent response from Sony support, with different users getting different answers and solutions.

Due to the ongoing battery problems, potential buyers are understandably cautious (1, 2, 3) about buying the WF-1000XM5 model. They want to make sure the battery issues have been fixed before investing in the new earbuds.

250 dollars (2,500 in my currency after taxes) and one year later I can barely use the product because they destroyed the batteries. This is absolutely ridiculous. I should have trusted my instincts and gone with the Sennheiser or Bose. Now it’s too late. (Source)

Moreover, rumors suggest that WF-1000XM5 will receive a significant price increase. They will be reportedly priced at €320 which is costlier compared to the launch price of WF-XM4, which was €279.

The possibility of a higher price and the ongoing battery drain issues have reduced the excitement of some potential customers. However, there’s some hope for those eagerly awaiting the WF-1000XM5.

According to a leak from a few months ago, Sony might change their battery supplier for the new earbuds. And this could address the persistent battery drain issue that has plagued the current XM4 model.

This leak has sparked optimism among some users who are eager to see if Sony has indeed addressed the problem and improved the battery performance in their latest iteration.

That said, we will make sure to update this article accordingly.

05:51 pm (IST): Zenipower is currently the designated battery supplier for the Sony WF-1000XM4. That said, the upcoming Sony WF-1000XM5 is anticipated to feature batteries sourced from Shenzhen Grepow Battery Co. Ltd.

04:43 pm (IST): A user shared that Sony took their two year old WF-1000XM4 without charging anything.

So, it appears that the company may be aware of the widespread problem and is not limiting its attention to warranty time.

10:31 am (IST): Sony WF-1000XM5 renders and price for US have been leaked by a tipster. The earphones are expected to be priced at $299. More on that here.

06:31 pm (IST): It appears that the LinkBuds S is facing a similar problem of uneven battery drain. Further details can be found here.

10:35 am (IST): Sony WF-1000XM5 are officially launched and they cost $50 more than XM4 were at the time of launch. The company claims that they provide 8 hours of battery back up and 24-hours with charging case.

These new earbuds come with an improved charging technology as compared to their predecessors.

Moreover, TheVerge asked to Sony if they’ve resolved the XM4’s battery issues with XM5, but there’s no response from the company yet.

I’ve asked the company for a thorough statement on what it has learned regarding the M4 battery drain problems and whether everything’s been squared away for the M5s. As of publication time, there has been no response. (Source)

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