Sony WF-1000XM6 (YY2985) Appears on the FCC
The Sony WF-1000XM6 have been finally certified by the FCC. This is about 2.5 weeks after the Chinese certification. As is the norm, Sony has revealed very little in the filing, but let us see what we can find out. For the import filings post, check the updates here.
The label diagram reveals that the FCC ID marking is now on the box and not the case, if this is how one would interpret the photo below. The surface of the headset is rounded again like the current model, so that has not changed. Hopefully the shinny slippery surface has been ditched for the new model.
Testing of the earbuds was between July and August of this year for all the tests in the filing.
The filling reveals that Sony will again use a 3.85V internal battery, but no capacity is provided. The antenna design is monopole like the WF-1000XM5. The antenna gain is -2.5 dBi, the WF-1000XM5’s gain is -3 dBi.
The software used for testing is Earbuds_BT_test (but newer version), which is the same software Sony used on their LinkBuds. The LinkBuds use a Mediatek SoC, so I suspected we will see a Mediatek SoC in the WF-1000XM6, the MT2855 as I wrote in previous posts.
The antenna report does not reveal too much either, apart from the manufacturer, Goertek Inc, the same company that made the WF-1000XM5 antenna and SiP. It would be save to assume we will see another SiP in the WF-1000XM6 as well, also made by Goertek Inc.
The gain on the antenna is a bit different between the left and right earbuds, but not sure if this means anything. Will look into this and report back.
Finally the short term confidentiality date ends on March 31 2026, but we should hopefully see these announced earlier. The WF-1000XM5 had an end date of August 22, but was announced on July 26, so about a month earlier, If Sony keeps to a similar timeline, then we are looking at a possible announcement either in late January or early February. This would mean Sony will miss this year’s holiday season.
Quick update, thanks to MrWalkman for the information. The WF-1000XM6 earbuds may be the first Sony headset to support DSEE Ultimate. This might be possible due to the new SoC inside the earbuds, the Mediatek MT2855, which is probably a version of the Airoha AB1595. This new chip has integrated AI, which will be necessary for DSEE Ultimate upscaling. Here is how Sony describes DSEE Ultimate:
DSEE Ultimate
Using Edge-AI (Artificial Intelligence), DSEE Ultimate (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) upscales compressed digital music files in real time. And the evolving algorithm now delivers even greater benefits for CD-quality (16 bit 44.1/48 kHz) lossless codec audio. Restoring acoustic subtleties and dynamic range, it provides a richer, more complete listening experience.
That is all from the FCC filing, now we wait for leaks.
Update 7 – February 4
The headset has finally been certified in South Korea. This certification does confirm that the headset is made in Vietnam.
Update 6 – January 1
We finally have an E-ComM certification.
Update 5 – December 23
The headset has been certified by the TDRA. I will try to get a screenshot of the actual certification as the website is not working too well here at the moment.
Update 4 – December 22
We have our first leak through Encompass, unfortunately no photos. In addition, the headset was certified in Panama recently. We are still missing quite a few more certifications, like Mexican, Apple’s MFi, e-ComM, TRDA, Taiwan, and Korean.
Update 3 – November 19
The WF-1000XM6 has been certified on IMDA in Singapore.
Update 2 – November 4
A new certification from Indonesia has confirmed that the WF-1000XM6 will be made in Vietnam, and not China like the current model. I had my suspicions from hints in the import filings, but never direct proof.
This change to Vietnam makes sense, as the Linkbuds Open and Fit, along with the WF-C510 and WF-C710N are already made in Vietnam. I would like to believe that it is all in one facility, but I have no evidence of this. Moving production to Vietnam could be to avoid tariffs, but it could also be to save on manufacturing costs.
Cresyn already manufacturers many of Sony’s earbuds and headsets, but Goertek also has a facility in Vietnam in the same industrial park as Cresyn, so perhaps they will be making the WF-1000XM6?
Here is the WF-1000XM5 (YY2963) from the same certification site, showing place of manufacturer, China.
Update – October 13
The headset has been certified in Canada. We should start seeing more certifications appear now from other regions. Maybe we will get a leak of the design?
End of updates
