Sony launched a new Sand Pink color for its WH-1000XM6 headphones today, priced at $399 to $459. The same day, Bose QuietComfort headphones dropped to $229 on Amazon, a $120 discount from their $349 retail price.
The Sand Pink WH-1000XM6 became available February 12 globally, according to Sony's announcement. This marks the fourth color option for headphones that debuted in May 2025 at $448. Sony's new colorway follows earlier rumors about a pink refresh for the flagship noise-canceling model.
Bose's QuietComfort headphones normally retail for $349, making the $229 Amazon deal a 34% discount. The Petal Pink color variant sells for even less at $199. Both companies' headphones offer premium active noise cancellation that competes directly in the high-end audio market.
Sony's WH-1000XM6 launched with Black, Midnight Blue, and Platinum Silver finishes last year. The new Sand Pink option addresses consumer demand for more color choices, similar to the Smoky Pink variant offered for the previous WH-1000XM5 model. Notebookcheck reports the European pricing at €369 and UK pricing at £399.
The Bose discount represents significant savings compared to Sony's latest offering. Android Headlines notes the QuietComfort's ANC "rivals that of Sony's best options" despite the price difference. Bose headphones also provide up to 24 hours of battery life with noise cancellation enabled, plus 2.5 hours of additional playback from a 15-minute charge.
Digital Trends reported earlier this week that Sony would reveal new products on February 12. The company's teaser showed pink fabric draped over headphone silhouettes, hinting at the color refresh. Sony simultaneously launched WF-1000XM6 earbuds with improved noise cancellation at a rumored $329.99.
Industry analysis from Wired shows Bose and Sony have traded the noise-canceling crown in recent years. The QuietComfort Ultra previously held an edge over Sony's WH-1000XM5 before the XM6 arrived. Both companies continue refining their flagship models with incremental improvements.
For consumers choosing between the two, the $170 price gap creates a clear value proposition. Sony's latest color refresh maintains premium pricing while Bose's aggressive discount makes high-quality noise cancellation more accessible. The QuietComfort deal runs through Amazon with multiple color options available at the reduced price.
Bose's battery specifications include 24-hour runtime with ANC active, matching typical usage patterns for frequent travelers. The headphones also feature two listening modes, Quiet for full noise cancellation and Aware for environmental awareness, and can be customized through the Bose app.
The headphones' comfort-focused design aligns with their branding, while Sony emphasizes audio engineering partnerships and studio-quality sound tuning. Sony's WH-1000XM6 offers up to 30 hours of battery life according to the company's specifications.
The timing creates an unusual market situation where Sony introduces a new premium color option while its main competitor offers deep discounts. Both strategies target different consumer segments within the same high-end headphone category. Amazon currently lists the Bose QuietComfort at $229 across most color variants.
