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Sony's new earbuds just leaked, and there's a new design to look forward to
Published onFebruary 22, 2025
Sony might be gearing up for more than just new headphones this summer. According to leaks from The Walkman Blog, the company is also preparing to launch a new pair of budget-friendly noise-cancelling earbuds: the Sony WF-C710N. If these leaks hold true, the WF-C710N will be a successor to the WF-C700N, which we reviewed previously and found to be decent but not outstanding.
So, what do these new earbuds bring to the table? Let’s break down the leaks, compare them to their predecessor, and see if Sony has made any meaningful improvements.
A Successor to the WF-C700N?
Sony’s naming conventions are as confusing as ever, but the WF-C710N seems to be a direct follow-up to the WF-C700N. The WF-C700N launched at $120, offering IPX4 water resistance, active noise cancellation (ANC), and a comfortable design. However, its sound quality, codec support, and ANC performance left something to be desired. Based on what we know so far, the WF-C710N aims to improve on these areas while keeping the price within the same $110-$120 range.
Better Active Noise Cancelling?
One of the biggest criticisms of the WF-C700N was its underwhelming ANC performance. Our testing showed little difference between passive isolation and actual noise cancellation, making the feature feel underwhelming.
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Sony seems to be addressing this with dual noise-cancelling microphones (feedback and feedforward mics), which should lead to more effective ANC. If Sony has tweaked its noise cancellation algorithms, the WF-C710N could offer a much better experience in this price range.
Same 5mm Driver – But Better Tuning?
The WF-C710N reportedly keeps the same 5mm driver size as its predecessor. However, the WF-C700N had weak sub-bass response, which left bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop feeling underwhelming. Hopefully, Sony has reworked the tuning for better bass extension. Otherwise, fans of deep, punchy lows might still be disappointed.
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Battery Life – A Small Upgrade
Battery life looks slightly improved:
- 8.5 hours (ANC on) / 12 hours (ANC off)
- Case provides up to 12 extra hours (ANC on) / 30 extra hours (ANC off)
For comparison, we measured 7 hours and 13 minutes of playback with ANC on in our tests of the WF-C700N. If Sony’s claims hold up, this would be a solid upgrade.
No LDAC – Just SBC & AAC Again
Despite Sony’s reputation for hi-res audio and its LDAC codec, the WF-C710N will reportedly stick with just SBC and AAC, just like the previous model. This means no support for higher-bitrate streaming, which is a bummer for audiophiles. And while the Bluetooth 5.3 upgrade might improve connectivity, there’s no sign of LE Audio or Auracast support at launch.
Touch Controls Replace Physical Buttons
The WF-C710N will reportedly ditch physical buttons for touch sensors, similar to Sony’s higher-end models like the WF-1000XM5. While some prefer physical buttons for tactile feedback, touch controls are generally more comfortable, as they don’t require pressing the earbud deeper into your ear. This is a welcome change.
New Transparent Blue Color Option
The WF-C710N will be available in familiar colors like white, gray, and pink, but the standout option is a new transparent blue model. This semi-transparent aesthetic is clearly inspired by the Nothing Ear and the Beats Studio Buds+, and even reminds me of the old iMac G3 design. It looks great, but transparent plastic can be a fingerprint magnet and more prone to scratches, so durability might be a concern.
Case Design & Size Differences
The charging case looks slightly more oblong and compact than the previous generation, but still larger than the WF-1000XM5’s case. We’ll need to test it in person to see if it’s easier to carry.
Final Thoughts – Will the WF-C710N Be Worth It?
Based on these leaks, the WF-C710N seems to be a small but meaningful upgrade over the WF-C700N. The improved ANC, touch controls, and slight battery boost are all steps in the right direction. However, we still have questions about:
- Whether the sound quality has actually improved despite keeping the same driver size.
- How effective the new noise cancellation will be.
- Whether the transparent blue design will hold up in everyday use.
At $110-$120, these earbuds will be competing with strong alternatives like the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC and the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE, both of which offer impressive ANC and sound quality for the price. We’ll have to wait for the official announcement—possibly in May—to see if Sony delivers. Until then, check out our Sony WH-1000XM6 rumors roundup to see what else Sony might be launching this summer.
Would you buy the WF-C710N based on these leaks? Let us know in the comments!