Sony WH-1000XM6 in India: price, features, and what’s actually new

Sony WH-1000XM6 Price in India: ₹39,990. Colors: Black, Platinum Silver, Midnight Blue. Highlights: 12-mic ANC with new QN3 chip, LDAC, LE Audio with Auracast, foldable design, magnetic case, 3-minute fast charge for up to 3 hours of playback.

A quick take

Sony’s WH-1000XM6 brings back the fold and turns up the noise-cancelling game with more microphones and faster processing. If you travel, take a lot of calls, or listen at your desk all day, this is the 1000X that feels built for that life.

What’s new vs WH-1000XM5

• More microphones for ANC and calls: 12 total, up from eight on the XM5. In plain English, the headphones pick up and cancel a wider range of hiss, chatter, and keyboard noise, and they isolate your voice better on calls.
• New QN3 processing: Sony’s HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3 handles noise in real time with more headroom. The result is steadier cancellation in tricky places like train stations or cafés.
• Foldable again: The hinge is back. The cups fold into a smaller, magnet-latch case, which matters if you travel light.
• Comfort tweaks: A wider, softer headband and stretchier pads reduce hot spots over longer sessions.
• Software smarts: Adaptive NC Optimiser auto-tunes cancellation to your surroundings; Auto Ambient Sound keeps announcements and voices audible when you need them.
• Audio polish: Same 30 mm drivers on paper, but the carbon-fibre composite dome and revised voice coil aim for cleaner highs and tighter bass.

Price and availability in India

The WH-1000XM6 is listed at ₹39,990 and goes on sale via Sony Centres, ShopatSC.com, Amazon, and select Croma and Reliance outlets. Available in Black, Platinum Silver, and Midnight Blue. If you see a higher price on marketplaces, check whether it reflects MRP, early seller markups, or bundles.

Sound and ANC: what you’ll actually hear

The XM6 stays warm and detailed, with solid sub-bass for hip-hop and electronic, but it’s the background hush you’ll notice first. The 12-mic array and QN3 chip are better at cancelling mid-to-high frequency noise, so café chatter, clacking keyboards, and AC whoosh fade more naturally. Flip between Noise Cancelling and Ambient in the app and you can dial how much of the world slips through without making music sound thin.

If you stream lossless catalogs, the LDAC codec keeps more detail than SBC/AAC when your phone supports it. For regular Spotify or YouTube playback, Sony’s DSEE Extreme upscales compressed tracks. It won’t turn 128 kbps into studio masters, but cymbals and vocals often sound less brittle.

Calls, codecs, and connectivity

For video calls and voice notes, the XM6 leans on a six-mic beamforming system plus AI voice isolation. You can walk along a busy road and still be understandable. The mute switch is handy in meetings. Bluetooth 5.3 supports SBC, AAC, LDAC, and the new LC3 under LE Audio. You can pair two devices at once and hop between them, which is perfect for a laptop-plus-phone setup.

LE Audio and Auracast: quick start and caveats

What it does: LE Audio uses the LC3 codec to reduce power and latency. Auracast lets you “tune in” to public broadcasts like airport TVs or theatre feeds.

How to try it:

1. On compatible phones, switch the XM6 to LE Audio in Bluetooth settings or the Sony app.
2. On Android 13+, enable Auracast scanning if supported.
3. Join an available broadcast when you see one; some venues are just starting to roll this out.

Caveats: Auracast availability is still limited; not every phone or venue supports it yet. Treat it as a bonus, not the reason to buy.

Comfort, design, and build

The XM6 shifts back to a folding design with a magnetic case that opens fast. The headband spreads pressure a bit better than the XM5, and the pads feel plusher around the jawline. At about 254 grams, weight is friendly for long flights. Controls are a mix of touch gestures and physical buttons; the dedicated ANC/mic toggle is easier to hit than in older models.

Battery and charging

You get up to 30 hours with ANC on, up to 40 hours with ANC off. A 3-minute splash of power can net up to 3 hours of listening if you have a USB-PD charger. You can also listen while charging over USB, which helps in a pinch.

App features that are worth using

Open Sony | Sound Connect and set:

• 10-band EQ with a gentle +2 dB at 100 Hz and a small -1 dB at 2–4 kHz if you’re treble-sensitive.
• Game EQ for footsteps in FPS titles.
• 360 Reality Audio Upmix for Cinema if you watch movies on the go; it can make dialogue separation pop.

Who should buy this

• Frequent flyers and train commuters: The 12-mic ANC handles chatter and PA systems better than older 1000X models.
• Hybrid workers and students: Strong call pickup plus easy device switching.
• Casual listeners who want comfort first: Lighter clamp and softer pads help during long sessions.

Consider alternatives if you need USB-C audio, an IP rating, or you’re happy with XM5’s ANC and want to save money.

Pros and cons

Sony WH-1000XM6 vs WH-1000XM5

Frequently Asked Question

What is the Sony WH-1000XM6 price in India?
₹39,990.

Does the XM6 fold?
Yes, foldable earcups with a magnetic case.

Which codecs are supported?
SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3.

Is the XM6 water resistant?
No official IP rating.

How good are calls?
Noticeably clearer with AI beamforming; wind and traffic are handled better than older models.

Can I listen while charging?
Yes, via USB.

Auracast does it really work?
Yes with LE Audio on supported phones and venues that broadcast it.

What’s the battery life?
Up to 30 hours with ANC on; up to 40 hours with ANC off.

The Bottom Line

If you’re shopping in the ₹40k bracket, the Sony WH-1000XM6 is the one to beat for a mix of ANC, comfort, and call quality. The return of the fold and the smarter noise handling feel like real-world upgrades. If you already own an XM5 and don’t need Auracast or a smaller case, you can wait.

Quick buyer checklist

• Turn on LE Audio only if you need low latency or Auracast.
• Start with LDAC on Android; use AAC on iPhone.
• Set Adaptive Sound to auto only if your commute routine is stable.
• Pack a USB-PD charger to unlock the fastest top-ups.

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