Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds seem to have leaked again — this time with a possible release date hint

• Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds leak again online, with listings for black and silver versions
• Replacement eartips have been listed on a parts retailer's website
• Availability date is in February 2026

Here's hoping Sony never goes into the spy business, because it's pretty bad at keeping secrets: the unreleased have been leaking for months now, including in Sony's own Sound Connect app, and this week a retailer appears to have leaked their color options and imminent availability.

The leak comes via the eagle-eyed folks at The Walkman Blog, who spotted two listings for replacement parts for the WF-1000XM6 earbuds on the Encompass Parts website. And if those listings are accurate then the launch may be just a few weeks away.

Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds: what does the latest leak tell us?

Encompass Parts is a specialist retailer delivering replacement parts for a wide range of products, and its website detailed replacement parts for both black and silver versions of the WF-1000XM6.

Interestingly, when I followed the links from the Walkman Blog to the appropriate listing pages I got a big red X and a page telling me that I was blocked from accessing the website because it is "protect[ing] itself from online attacks" – but evidently that wasn't a problem for The Walkman Blog previously.

While Encompass is busily locking the stable door, The Walkman Blog has screenshots of the headphones horse: listings for replacement silicone eartips for the WF-1000XM6 with a shipping date of 27 February 2026. That's only nine weeks away.

As ever with leaks, there's a lot we still don't know – and it's possible that the date in the product listings is just a placeholder, though it's quite a specific one if so.

If the date is accurate, we might even hear something about the earbuds at CES 2026, if not from Sony, then perhaps even more from leakers: if a February ship date is indeed on the cards then the earbuds will be moving to retailers well in advance, and the more people who know about the earbuds the more likely detailed leaks become.

If you can't wait till February, the Sony WF-1000XM5 have been getting some big discounts – though the flagship earbuds that the XM6 will really have to compete with in our view are the magnificent Technics EAH-AZ100.

The best wireless earbuds for all budgets

➡️ Read our full guide to the best earbuds
1. Best overall:
Technics EAH-AZ100
2. Best mid-range:
Cambridge Audio A100
3. Best budget:
Nothing Ear (a)
4. Best for noise-cancelling:
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Ultra 2nd Gen

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