Latest Answers - Page 2

ShopSavvy Answers are well-researched expert answers to common questions about popular products

No, not really. The Sony WH-1000XM6 isn't built for exercise, and Sony explicitly says so. There's no water or sweat resistance, and moisture damage isn't covered under warranty.

Why they don't work for workouts:

These are luxury over-ear headphones designed for flights, offices, and home listening. They're engineered for comfort in controlled environments, not bouncing around during a workout.

Running? The headphones shift constantly. HIIT or anything involving jumping? Forget it.

Even during light exercise, the closed-back design traps heat. After 20 minutes, your ears will be warm and sweaty. That moisture can damage the drivers and break down ear cushions over time.

If you really want to try:

For low-impact activities like treadmill walking or stationary bikes, some people make it work.

Third-party sweat covers from companies like Wicked Cushions create a silicone barrier between your sweat and the headphones. Not perfect, but better than nothing.

What you should actually use:

For the gym, get earbuds designed for exercise. Sony's WF-1000XM5 earbuds have IPX4 sweat resistance. Beats Fit Pro and AirPods Pro 2 are other solid options.

The XM6 is excellent at almost everything, but exercise isn't one of them.

Compare Sony WH-1000XM6 prices to find the best deal.

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Probably not, unless you have a specific pain point the XM6 addresses.

The honest assessment:

The XM5 is still a great pair of headphones. The XM6 is better in measurable ways, but the improvements are incremental rather than transformational.

What's actually different:

The XM6 has 12 microphones for ANC instead of 8, and the new QN3 processor is faster. Real-world noise cancellation improved by a couple percentage points. Noticeable in demanding environments like airplane cabins, but subtle in everyday use.

Sound quality improved slightly in the midrange. If you A/B test them carefully, you might notice more clarity. In normal listening, probably not.

The upgrades that matter most:

The folding design is back, and the case is much smaller. If the XM5's giant flat case annoyed you every day, this alone might justify the upgrade.

You can now charge while listening. Bluetooth LE Audio support future-proofs the headphones somewhat.

The math:

A used XM5 sells for $200-300. A new XM6 costs $400-450. That's $200-400 net for incremental improvements.

Recommendation:

If your XM5 works fine and the case doesn't bother you, wait for the XM7. If the flat case is genuinely annoying and you travel constantly, the XM6's folding design might be worth it. For most people, this is a skip.

Check current XM6 prices if you decide to upgrade.

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There's no perfect EQ setting for everyone, but I can give you starting points based on common preferences.

How the XM6 sounds by default:

Warm and bass-forward. Relaxed, smooth sound that works well for casual listening. Some find it perfect. Others want more clarity.

The easy approach:

Use "Find Your Equalizer" in the Sony Sound Connect app. It plays different sound profiles while your music plays. You compare by ear and pick what you like.

If you want more detail and clarity:

The default tuning buries some upper midrange details. Try:

  • 4kHz: +2 to +3dB (brings vocals forward)
  • 8kHz: +1 to +2dB (adds sparkle)
  • 16kHz: +1 to +2dB (air and presence)
  • Optionally reduce 62Hz or 125Hz by 1-2dB if bass feels overwhelming

Start small. Big changes sound harsh.

If you love the bass:

Leave it alone. The XM6's natural tuning is great for hip-hop, EDM, and bass-heavy genres.

For podcasts:

The "Vocal" preset works well. Or boost 2kHz-4kHz by 2-3dB to make voices clearer.

DSEE Extreme:

This AI feature upscales compressed audio from Spotify. Some enable it and use minimal EQ, letting AI do the heavy lifting.

The real answer:

EQ is personal. Start with small adjustments and trust your ears.

Compare Sony WH-1000XM6 prices across retailers.

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Build quality is generally good, but there's one thing worth knowing about: some users have reported hinge issues.

The hinge situation:

When Sony brought back the folding design, they redesigned the hinge mechanism. A small number of users have reported cracking at the point where the headband connects to the earcup.

Is this widespread? It doesn't appear to be. Reports suggest manufacturing variance on certain batches rather than a fundamental design flaw. Sony's warranty covers manufacturing defects, so affected users should get replacements.

Overall construction:

The XM6 is built similarly to most premium wireless headphones. Quality plastic with synthetic leather padding. Comparable to the Bose QC Ultra. Less premium than the AirPods Max, which uses aluminum but weighs significantly more and costs more.

The headband padding holds up well. Ear cushions are durable with normal use. The folding mechanism works smoothly.

How to protect your investment:

  1. Use the included case. Always.
  2. Be gentle when folding.
  3. Store properly when not using them.

If something goes wrong:

Sony's warranty covers manufacturing defects. Contact support if you experience issues.

The hinge concerns are worth being aware of, but shouldn't be a dealbreaker. Most users have no problems.

Compare Sony WH-1000XM6 prices across major retailers.

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The box includes the essentials and not much else. Here's exactly what you get:

What's inside:

  • WH-1000XM6 headphones (in your chosen color)
  • Hard carrying case
  • USB-C to USB-C charging cable
  • 3.5mm audio cable (with inline mic)
  • Quick start guide and warranty papers

The carrying case:

Actually quite nice. Hard shell that protects the headphones well. Much smaller than the XM5's case because the headphones fold again. Pocket inside for cables and mesh section in lid for small accessories.

The cables:

The USB-C cable is short. Works fine for laptops or power banks.

The audio cable has an inline microphone that some find annoying. It can create static when touched. Many users buy a cheap third-party cable without the mic for cleaner audio.

What Sony didn't include:

No airplane adapter. No USB wall charger. No extra ear cushions.

The lack of an airplane adapter is annoying since flying is a main use case. Buy one for $5-10 on Amazon if needed.

The verdict:

Nothing fancy, but nothing essential is missing. The case is good quality. Consider grabbing an airplane adapter before your next flight.

Compare Sony WH-1000XM6 prices to find the best deal.

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All three sound excellent, but they sound different. Here's what matters:

Sony WH-1000XM6: Warm and bass-forward

The XM6 emphasizes low end. Bass is substantial and present in a way that makes pop, hip-hop, and EDM sound engaging. Midrange has better clarity than the XM5. Treble is smooth, avoiding harshness but potentially lacking airiness.

If you like music that thumps, the XM6 does that well. Sony's app has a 10-band EQ if you want to tune it.

Bose QC Ultra: Balanced and natural

More neutral presentation. Bass is punchy but doesn't dominate. Midrange is clear. Treble has sparkle without getting harsh.

Often described as the most "natural" sounding. Works well with all genres.

AirPods Max: Bright and detailed

Most analytical of the three. Bass is tight and controlled. Midrange and treble are crisp and articulate. Detail retrieval is excellent.

Great for classical, jazz, and acoustic music. Some find the brighter tuning fatiguing for long sessions.

My take:

For casual listening and bass-heavy music, the XM6 sounds most fun. For all-around versatility, the Bose sounds most balanced. For critical listening where detail matters, the AirPods Max excels.

Compare Sony WH-1000XM6 prices across major retailers.

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The iPhone 17 Pro introduces a redesigned 18-megapixel Center Stage front camera, a significant upgrade from the 12-megapixel sensor on previous models.

Technical Specifications

| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro | |---------|---------------|---------------| | Resolution | 18MP | 12MP | | Aperture | f/1.9 | f/1.9 | | Sensor shape | Square | Rectangular | | Autofocus | Yes | Yes |

Square Sensor Innovation

Apple's unique square sensor design provides several advantages:

  • Landscape photos in portrait orientation: Capture wider images while holding the phone vertically
  • Improved Center Stage tracking: More room for digital panning without quality loss
  • Flexible framing: Switch between portrait and landscape without repositioning

New Capabilities

Dual Capture

Record from front and rear cameras simultaneously:

  • Capture reactions during events
  • Create split-screen content for social media
  • Vlog without additional equipment

Enhanced Center Stage

The higher resolution and larger capture area enable:

  • Smoother subject tracking during video calls
  • Higher quality when digitally cropping
  • More natural auto-framing behavior

Practical Improvements

Photo Quality

  • 50% more pixels than previous generation
  • Improved detail in both good and low lighting
  • More natural skin tones and colors

Video Calls

  • Sharper image quality on FaceTime and video conferencing
  • Better visibility in challenging lighting
  • More detail visible to call recipients

Content Creation

  • Higher quality for social media content
  • Better suited for platforms prioritizing front-camera content
  • Dual Capture enables new creative workflows

For users who frequently take selfies, participate in video calls, or create front-facing content, the new camera represents a meaningful upgrade in quality and versatility.

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The iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099 for the 256GB model, marking the first time an iPhone Pro has launched above $1,000.

Pricing

| Storage | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 17 Pro Max | |---------|---------------|-------------------| | 256GB | $1,099 | $1,199 | | 512GB | $1,299 | $1,399 | | 1TB | $1,499 | $1,599 | | 2TB | — | $1,799 |

Purchase Options

Apple Direct

Apple.com and Apple Stores offer:

  • Complete color and storage selection
  • Trade-in program with instant credit
  • 0% APR financing via Apple Card
  • AppleCare+ at time of purchase

Major Carriers

AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon frequently provide:

  • Trade-in credits of $400-800
  • Bill credits for new line additions
  • Device payment plans (24-36 months)
  • Switcher promotions for new customers

Note: Carrier promotions typically require long-term payment plan commitment.

Third-Party Retailers

  • Best Buy: Often includes gift cards or accessory bundles
  • Amazon: Fast shipping, occasional price reductions
  • Walmart: Competitive pricing with in-store pickup
  • Costco: Member-exclusive pricing and bundle deals

Finding the Best Deal

Carrier promotions offer the largest discounts when:

  • Trading in an eligible device
  • Adding a new line to your plan
  • Switching from a competitor

These can reduce effective cost to $200-500 via bill credits spread over 24-36 months.

Unlocked purchases from Apple or Amazon provide flexibility without carrier commitment, though at full retail price.

Availability

The iPhone 17 Pro is currently available in:

  • Cosmic Orange
  • Deep Blue
  • Silver

Most configurations ship within 1-2 weeks. Popular storage and color combinations may experience slightly longer delivery times.

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The iPhone 17 Pro features improved thermal management compared to previous models, thanks to a new vapor chamber cooling system. Some warmth during intensive tasks is normal smartphone behavior.

Thermal Improvements

Apple introduced vapor chamber cooling technology:

  • Heat distributes evenly across the aluminum chassis
  • Prevents localized hot spots
  • Enables sustained high performance
  • Reduces thermal throttling during demanding tasks

Normal Operating Temperatures

Cool during typical use:

  • Web browsing and texting
  • Social media apps
  • Music and podcast playback
  • Standard productivity apps

Warmth expected during:

  • Extended gaming sessions
  • 4K video recording, especially ProRes
  • Fast charging while using demanding apps
  • Navigation with poor cellular signal

Software-Related Issues

Early overheating reports were largely traced to iOS 26 bugs rather than hardware defects. iOS 26.1 addressed these thermal management issues. Ensure your software is updated if experiencing unusual heat.

Performance vs. Previous Models

Independent testing shows meaningful thermal improvements:

| Metric | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 17 Pro | |--------|---------------|---------------| | Gaming before throttling | 20-30 minutes | 45+ minutes | | Sustained performance | Moderate degradation | Minimal degradation | | Heat distribution | Concentrated spots | Even across chassis |

Factors That Increase Heat

  • Prolonged gaming or video recording
  • Hot environmental temperatures
  • Simultaneous charging and heavy use
  • Weak cellular signal (increased radio activity)
  • Multiple intensive background processes

Temperature Warnings

If the phone overheats, it will display a warning and temporarily limit functionality until cooled. This is a standard safety feature. Allow the device to cool in a shaded area before resuming use.

For persistent heat during normal activities, verify software is current, restart the device, and contact Apple Support if issues continue.

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The Dynamic Island is the interactive, pill-shaped area at the top of the iPhone 17 Pro display that houses the front camera and Face ID sensors while serving as a smart notification and activity hub.

iPhone 17 Pro Update

The Dynamic Island is 25% smaller than on previous models. Apple achieved this reduction using new metalens technology that combines Face ID components into a more compact design. This provides slightly more usable screen space while maintaining full functionality.

How It Works

The Dynamic Island expands and contracts to display contextual information:

  • Tap: Expand for detailed view
  • Long-press: Access quick controls without opening apps
  • Swipe away: Dismiss temporary displays

Common Uses

| Activity | Dynamic Island Display | |----------|----------------------| | Phone calls | Duration, caller info, end call button | | Music/Podcasts | Album art, playback controls | | Timers/Stopwatch | Countdown or elapsed time | | Navigation | Next turn direction and distance | | Voice recording | Recording indicator and duration | | AirPods | Battery status and audio routing |

Live Activities

Third-party apps use Live Activities to show real-time updates:

  • Ride-sharing: Driver location and arrival time
  • Sports apps: Live scores and game updates
  • Food delivery: Order status and tracking
  • Travel apps: Flight gate changes and boarding status

Most major apps now support Live Activities integration.

Face ID Performance

Despite the smaller sensor housing, Face ID performance remains unchanged:

  • Fast recognition at various angles
  • Reliable operation in low light
  • Compatible with glasses, masks, and accessories

Practical Value

The Dynamic Island is most useful for users who multitask frequently, track deliveries, follow live sports, or want quick access to active media controls without switching apps. For basic phone use, it functions as a standard notification indicator.

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