Leaked Sony WH-1000XM4 listing confirms June 23 release date, no aptX support and last-generation QN1 noise-cancelling processor

[Redaktion]

Dell Canada has launched the WH-1000XM4, confirming a June 23 release date. The retailer has confirmed that Sony's next-generation headphones will support the aptX or aptX HD Bluetooth codecs. Additionally, Sony has made no battery life improvements from the WH-1000XM3 and continues to use its last-generation QN1 noise-cancelling processor.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Leaked-Sony-WH-1000XM4-listing-confirms-June-23-release-date-no-aptX-support-and-last-generation-QN1-noise-cancelling-processor.469581.0.html

[Wibblyscubs]

No AptX again? What the **** Sony you out-of-touch fools. I get that they have LDAC but even their phones offer AptX through the Snapdragon Bluetooth hardware and Android software.
I swear they're trying to lose all market shares.

[CafeZaman]

That listing was available on Dell Canada website the same day it appeared on Walmart's website. There's a $15 coupon available for it too. A simple Google search would've shown this instead of just jumping on the bandwagon same reporting the same thing that every other outlet reported.

[mdcraig]

The WH-1000XM3 supports both aptX and aptX HD. Who's the fool?

[DougJudy]

Title says no aptx, summary says aptx and aptx hd suport. Which one is it?

[Alex Alderson]

Title says no aptx, summary says aptx and aptx hd suport. Which one is it?

My bad, I missed out the not in the summary. Fixed.

[RinzImpulse]

SBC > aptX

Yes, this is personal opinion

[Alex Alderson]

That listing was available on Dell Canada website the same day it appeared on Walmart's website. There's a $15 coupon available for it too. A simple Google search would've shown this instead of just jumping on the bandwagon same reporting the same thing that every other outlet reported.

Sorry, even Google shows that is a flat out lie.

What other outlets have reported this so far?

[mdcraig]

I think it is foolish to rely on a 3rd party website (Dell Canada) for information  regarding an unreleased product. I own the XM3's and can confirm they support AptX and AptX HD. Although it is always a possibility that Sony could remove features, I'll believe it when the official specs are posted.

More and more it seems like notebookcheck posts these articles with controversial headlines just as clickbait.

[Alex Alderson]

I think it is foolish to rely on a 3rd party website (Dell Canada) for information  regarding an unreleased product. I own the XM3's and can confirm they support AptX and AptX HD. Although it is always a possibility that Sony could remove features, I'll believe it when the official specs are posted.

More and more it seems like notebookcheck posts these articles with controversial headlines just as clickbait.

Mdcraig, there is ample other evidence that Sony has dropped aptX and aptX HD as of the XM4's.

Having owned the XM2's, how have you been able to enable aptX or aptX HD anyway?

[Rui Silva]

Title: "Leaked Sony WH-1000XM4 listing confirms June 23 release date, no aptX support and last-generation QN1 noise-cancelling processor"

First paragraph:
"The retailer has confirmed that Sony's next-generation headphones will support the aptX or aptX HD Bluetooth codecs."

So, what's gonna be?

[heffeque]

No AptX again? What the **** Sony you out-of-touch fools. I get that they have LDAC but even their phones offer AptX through the Snapdragon Bluetooth hardware and Android software.
I swear they're trying to lose all market shares.

What's the problem with LDAC?

[Mdcraig]

I think it is foolish to rely on a 3rd party website (Dell Canada) for information  regarding an unreleased product. I own the XM3's and can confirm they support AptX and AptX HD. Although it is always a possibility that Sony could remove features, I'll believe it when the official specs are posted.

More and more it seems like notebookcheck posts these articles with controversial headlines just as clickbait.

Mdcraig, there is ample other evidence that Sony has dropped aptX and aptX HD as of the XM4's.

Having owned the XM2's, how have you been able to enable aptX or aptX HD anyway?

According to Sony documentation:

MDR-1000X (1st gen) -  SBC , AAC , aptX, LDAC
WH-1000XM2 (2nd gen) -  SBC , AAC , LDAC, aptX, aptX HD
WH-1000XM3 (3rd gen) - SBC, AAC, LDAC, aptX, aptX HD

On any newer Android device you can check or change the Codec by enabling developer options and then go to "Bluetooth Audio Codec". You cannot select a Codec that is unsupported by the headphones. Sony XM2/3 models that work with the Sony Headphone Connect Android app list the active Codec on the main screen.

On a modern Mac, aptX can be forced instead of AAC by using the Bluetooth Explorer MacOS developer application (assuming the headphones in question support both)

[Alex Alderson]

I think it is foolish to rely on a 3rd party website (Dell Canada) for information  regarding an unreleased product. I own the XM3's and can confirm they support AptX and AptX HD. Although it is always a possibility that Sony could remove features, I'll believe it when the official specs are posted.

More and more it seems like notebookcheck posts these articles with controversial headlines just as clickbait.

Mdcraig, there is ample other evidence that Sony has dropped aptX and aptX HD as of the XM4's.

Having owned the XM2's, how have you been able to enable aptX or aptX HD anyway?

According to Sony documentation:

MDR-1000X (1st gen) -  SBC , AAC , aptX, LDAC
WH-1000XM2 (2nd gen) -  SBC , AAC , LDAC, aptX, aptX HD
WH-1000XM3 (3rd gen) - SBC, AAC, LDAC, aptX, aptX HD

On any newer Android device you can check or change the Codec by enabling developer options and then go to "Bluetooth Audio Codec". You cannot select a Codec that is unsupported by the headphones. Sony XM2/3 models that work with the Sony Headphone Connect Android app list the active Codec on the main screen.

On a modern Mac, aptX can be forced instead of AAC by using the Bluetooth Explorer MacOS developer application (assuming the headphones in question support both)

While that is all theoretically true, have you managed to enable aptX or aptX HD on your headphones? There is no way to do so from within the Headphones Connect app. Toggling the codec in developer options does nothing and my XM2s remain stuck on SBC on macOS despite messing with Bluetooth Explorer.

[mdcraig]

I think it is foolish to rely on a 3rd party website (Dell Canada) for information  regarding an unreleased product. I own the XM3's and can confirm they support AptX and AptX HD. Although it is always a possibility that Sony could remove features, I'll believe it when the official specs are posted.

More and more it seems like notebookcheck posts these articles with controversial headlines just as clickbait.

Mdcraig, there is ample other evidence that Sony has dropped aptX and aptX HD as of the XM4's.

Having owned the XM2's, how have you been able to enable aptX or aptX HD anyway?

According to Sony documentation:

MDR-1000X (1st gen) -  SBC , AAC , aptX, LDAC
WH-1000XM2 (2nd gen) -  SBC , AAC , LDAC, aptX, aptX HD
WH-1000XM3 (3rd gen) - SBC, AAC, LDAC, aptX, aptX HD

On any newer Android device you can check or change the Codec by enabling developer options and then go to "Bluetooth Audio Codec". You cannot select a Codec that is unsupported by the headphones. Sony XM2/3 models that work with the Sony Headphone Connect Android app list the active Codec on the main screen.

On a modern Mac, aptX can be forced instead of AAC by using the Bluetooth Explorer MacOS developer application (assuming the headphones in question support both)

While that is all theoretically true, have you managed to enable aptX or aptX HD on your headphones? There is no way to do so from within the Headphones Connect app. Toggling the codec in developer options does nothing and my XM2s remain stuck on SBC on macOS despite messing with Bluetooth Explorer.

lol yes, of course.

I own the 1000X and XM3's. Just sanity checked both with the Mac and my Android-based DAP, the Hiby R6. On the Mac, using Bluetooth Explorer, go to Tools -> Audio Options, then check "Force use of aptX". After you do this, you must disconnect and reconnect the headphones (not re-pair). Just FYI both my headphones defaulted to AAC, not SBC when paired with the Macbook.

If there is still any doubt as to whether this is possible, I am happy to provide screenshots that it works on both the 1000X and XM3 on the Mac and Android. On the Hiby, it switches the codec immediately (the music does cut out for a second).

-Michael