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Microsoft now says the CMA was “tough and fair” over Activision Blizzard deal

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Microsoft now says the CMA was “tough and fair” over Activision Blizzard deal

Microsoft president Brad Smith wasn’t happy with the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) last year, after the regulator blocked Microsoft’s giant Activision Blizzard deal. Now that Microsoft has restructured its deal and won approval in the UK, Smith has kinder words for the CMA, describing the regulator as “tough and fair” in an interview with the BBC’s Radio 4 Today program.

Smith originally criticized the CMA and said confidence in the UK had been “severely shaken” after the regulator moved to block Microsoft’s $68.7 billion deal in April last year. He called it the “darkest day” for Microsoft in its four decades of working in Britain, and went a step further, saying “the European Union is a more attractive place to start a business” than the UK.

“I certainly learned a lot personally,” admitted Smith on Radio 4 yesterday. “I wouldn’t step back necessarily from all of the concerns I raised when I talked way back in April, but I might choose slightly different words to make my point.”

The CMA forced Microsoft to restructure its Activision Blizzard deal, giving up key cloud gaming rights in the UK and many other markets worldwide. “The CMA held to a tough standard and I respect that. In my view it was tough and fair,” added Smith. “It pushed Microsoft to change the acquisition that we had proposed for Activision Blizzard, to spin out certain rights that the CMA was concerned about with respect to cloud gaming.”

While Smith has had a change of heart over his criticism of the CMA, the regulator was less than impressed with Microsoft’s tactics. “Businesses and their advisors should be in no doubt that the tactics employed by Microsoft are no way to engage with the CMA,” warned CMA CEO Sarah Cardell in October. “Microsoft had the chance to restructure during our initial investigation but instead continued to insist on a package of measures that we told them simply wouldn’t work. Dragging out proceedings in this way only wastes time and money.”

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Microsoft’s concession to the CMA allowed the deal to close in October, following months of regulatory scrutiny worldwide. The Federal Trade Commission is still pursuing its case against Microsoft’s deal in the US, with a decision on an appeal over the FTC v. Microsoft case expected from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals soon. The FTC is also still pursuing a separate administrative case against Microsoft’s deal that’s set to commence shortly after the appeal decision unless the FTC abandons its case entirely.

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EU fines X $140 million over ‘deceptive’ blue checkmarks

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EU fines X 0 million over ‘deceptive’ blue checkmarks

The European Union has served Elon Musk’s X with a €120 million (about $140 million) penalty for violating the bloc’s digital service rulebook, in part for the “deceptive design” of its blue checkmark. Today’s announcement marks the first time that a company has been fined under the landmark Digital Services Act (DSA) law for curbing “illegal and harmful activities” on online platforms, and follows the EU launching a multifaceted investigation into X in December 2023.

In July 2024, the EU ruled that X was failing to comply with obligations around advertising transparency, data access for researchers, and “dark patterns” — deceptive interface features designed to trick users. X’s blue checkmark system was specifically called out for deceiving users by allowing anyone to pay to be “verified,” making it harder to determine the authenticity of X accounts. In today’s announcement, the European Commission noted that while the DSA doesn’t require user verification, “it clearly prohibits online platforms from falsely claiming that users have been verified.”

“Deceiving users with blue checkmarks, obscuring information on ads and shutting out researchers have no place online in the EU,” the bloc’s tech chief Henna Virkkunen said in a statement. “The DSA protects users. The DSA gives researchers the way to uncover potential threats. The DSA restores trust in the online environment. With the DSA’s first non-compliance decision, we are holding X responsible for undermining users’ rights and evading accountability.”

The EU can charge companies up to 6 percent of their global revenue for DSA violations. As X is a private company — purchased by Musk for $44 billion in October 2022 and again by his artificial intelligence company, X AI, in March 2025 for $33 billion — it’s unclear what its potential maximum penalty could have been. X can appeal the fine, but now has 60 working days to inform the EU of the measures it will take to change the “deceptive” use of blue checkmarks, and 90 days for its planned fixes for the other violations. Failure to meet those deadlines could result in more penalty payments.

The 2023 investigation was also launched to scrutinize X’s moderation practices and the dissemination of illegal or harmful content on the platform, which is currently still ongoing and could incur further penalties.

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How 3.5B WhatsApp numbers were scraped and exposed

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How 3.5B WhatsApp numbers were scraped and exposed

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Most major platforms have dealt with large-scale data leaks tied to weak or unprotected APIs. You’ve seen this play out with Facebook, X and even Dell.

The pattern is always the same. A feature meant to make life easier becomes a gateway for bulk data collection.

WhatsApp is now part of that list after researchers managed to scrape 3.5 billion phone numbers by exploiting a simple gap in the app’s contact-discovery system.

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How the researchers scraped 3.5B WhatsApp numbers

WHATSAPP BANS 6.8M SCAM ACCOUNTS, LAUNCHES SAFETY TOOL

Researchers discovered that weak API limits made it possible to scrape billions of WhatsApp numbers. (Getty Images)

As reported by Bleeping Computer, the entire incident started with WhatsApp’s GetDeviceList API. This is the endpoint the app uses when you add a number to your contacts. It tells WhatsApp to check if that number has an account and what devices are linked to it. The problem was that the API had no meaningful rate limiting. In simple terms, the system didn’t slow down or block repeated requests, which opened the door for mass enumeration.

Researchers from the University of Vienna and SBA Research decided to test how far they could push this. Using only five authenticated sessions and a single university server, they started hammering WhatsApp’s servers with queries. They expected to get blocked fast, but WhatsApp didn’t react at all.

That’s how they were able to check more than 100 million phone numbers per hour. After generating a global pool of 63 billion possible mobile numbers, they ran the list through the API and confirmed 3.5 billion active WhatsApp accounts.

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Researchers managed to scrape more than just phone numbers

The researchers didn’t stop at confirming account existence. They used other WhatsApp endpoints like GetUserInfo, GetPrekeys and FetchPicture to pull more details. This included profile photos, “about” text, device information and public keys. A test run in the United States alone downloaded 77 million profile photos without hitting any limits, many with clear images of people’s faces. Public “about” sections often revealed personal info or links to other profiles. When compared to Facebook’s 2021 scrape, they found that 58% of leaked Facebook numbers were still active on WhatsApp years later. That’s what makes phone-number leaks so damaging. They stay useful to attackers long after the initial breach.

RUSSIAN LAWMAKERS CLAIM WHATSAPP IS A NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT, SHOULD PREPARE TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY

It’s important to note that this study was done by researchers who haven’t released the data. They also reported the issue to WhatsApp. The company has since added rate-limiting protections to prevent similar abuse from happening again. Still, the findings show how easily threat actors could have done the same thing if they had found the loophole first.

Why this keeps happening across major platforms

Weak or nonexistent API rate limits have caused several major data leaks in recent years, and WhatsApp isn’t the only example. In 2021, attackers abused Facebook’s “Add Friend” feature by uploading contact lists and checking which numbers matched active accounts. The API lacked proper safeguards, so they scraped 533 million profiles. Meta later confirmed the incident as automated scraping, and the Irish DPC fined the company €265 million.

Twitter had a similar problem when attackers used an API bug to match phone numbers and email addresses to 54 million accounts. Dell also reported that 49 million customer records were scraped after attackers took advantage of an unprotected API endpoint.

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All of these cases share the same root cause. APIs that allow account lookups or data queries end up being easy to attack when they don’t limit how often someone can access them. One unchecked feature can turn into a pipeline for mass data collection.

7 steps you can take to keep your WhatsApp data safe

If your phone number ends up in one of these massive scrapes, you can’t pull it back, but you can make sure it’s far less useful to anyone trying to target you. Here are a few steps that help you stay safer.

1) Use two-factor authentication

Turn on 2FA for WhatsApp and every other important account. Even if someone has your number, they can’t break in without that second verification step. It also protects you from SIM-swap attempts since thieves can’t access your accounts with just a password.

A simple automated script pulled phone data at a massive scale without triggering alerts. (eyecrave productions/Getty Images)

2) Use a password manager

A password manager keeps every login unique. If attackers try to pair your scraped number with credential-stuffing attacks, reused passwords won’t give them an easy win. Strong, random passwords shut down a whole category of automated attacks.

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Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our No. 1 password manager pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.

Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 at Cyberguy.com.

3) Remove your data from public databases

Opt out of data brokers and people-search sites when you can. The less public information attackers can tie to your number, the harder it is for them to craft convincing phishing messages or identity-based scams.

While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

IS YOUR FRIEND’S PHONE NUMBER COMPROMISED? HERE’S WHAT TO LOOK FOR

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Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com.

4) Limit what you share in profile bios

Keep your WhatsApp “about” text minimal. Avoid details like job titles, hometowns, or links to other accounts. Scraped phone numbers often get paired with publicly visible bios to build fuller profiles for scams.

5) Tighten your privacy settings

Adjust who can see your profile photo, last-seen and status. Setting these to “Contacts only” or “Nobody” prevents strangers from pulling more personal info once they have your number. To tighten your privacy settings on WhatsApp on iPhone or Android, follow these steps:

  • Open WhatsApp on your phone on your phone.
  • Go to Settings: On iPhone, tap the “Settings” gear icon at the bottom right. On Android, tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner, then select “Settings.”
  • Tap “Account.”
  • Tap “Privacy.”
  • Adjust the privacy options below to control who can see your personal info:
  • Last Seen & Online: Tap “Last Seen & Online” and choose “My Contacts” or “Nobody” to restrict who sees your last active status.
  • Profile Photo: Tap “Profile Photo” and select “My Contacts” or “Nobody” to prevent strangers from viewing your profile picture.
  • About: Tap “About” and pick “My Contacts” or “Nobody” to limit who can see your About info.
  • Status: Tap “Status,” then select “My Contacts,” “My Contacts Except…,” or “Only Share With…” to control who can view your status updates.

These changes prevent people not in your contacts or strangers from pulling personal details from your WhatsApp profile, enhancing your privacy effectively on either iPhone or Android devices.

Because the system lacked proper rate-limiting, the scraping continued undetected for months. (Kurt Knutsson)

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6) Install strong antivirus software

A lot of phishing and malware campaigns start with scraped numbers. Strong antivirus software can block malicious links, detect harmful downloads and warn you when something looks suspicious.

The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

7) Be cautious with unknown calls and messages

Treat unexpected messages with more suspicion. Don’t click links, don’t share OTPs, and don’t respond to anyone asking for verification codes. Once numbers are scraped, scammers ramp up spam and impersonation attempts.

Kurt’s key takeaway

WhatsApp might have fixed the issue, but the bigger problem is still out there. Any platform that exposes an API without proper rate limits is leaving a window open for someone with the right tools and enough time. This scrape shows you how quickly that window can turn into a firehose of personal data. Until API security becomes a priority across the board, you’ll keep seeing leaks like this repeat on bigger and bigger scales.

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Do you think apps should be legally required to enforce strict API limits? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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The best noise-canceling headphones to buy right now

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The best noise-canceling headphones to buy right now

Whether you’re wearing them for the morning commute, while traveling, or if you’re simply trying to find some peace and quiet while working at home, noise-canceling headphones are a more essential piece of kit nowadays than ever before. And you’ve got a slew of great options to pick from; it’s hard to make a bad choice.

There are longtime heavyweights like Bose and Sony to pick from. Apple has quickly carved into the market with the luxurious AirPods Max. And if you’ve got an ear that demands the best audio quality, headphones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sennheiser might appeal to you more than the mainstream contenders.

Not everyone loves the feel of earbuds, and there are scenarios where over-ear and on-ear headphones are just simpler or make more sense than wireless buds — particularly if lengthy battery life matters to you.

No matter how you’re using them, the criteria for picking the best noise-canceling headphones haven’t changed.

What we’re looking for

We put our top picks for noise-canceling headphones through many hours of testing. Since their ability to tamp down the loudness of your surroundings is critical, we use them in a variety of environments — including busy city streets, the office, coffee shops, and public transit — and for more quiet, focused listening at home.We sample their transparency mode to see how clearly the outside world comes through and if it’s easy to carry on conversations while wearing the headphones. We have friends and family try them on and provide feedback on the fit and comfort. And, of course, we have our favorite albums and playlists on repeat to assess how each pair sounds and how much listening time you can expect from a single charge.

If headphones are causing a sore spot at the top of your noggin, what good are they no matter how good they sound or cancel noise? Traditionally, the lighter they are, the more comfortable headphones will prove over extended listening sessions. But manufacturers can also help improve comfort by being thoughtful in the materials they choose for ear cups and the headband that wraps over your cranium. Clamping force is another important factor; some headphones will squeeze against your head firmer than others; this can be great if you want a pair to stay put for exercise, but not ideal if you’re just trying to relax and tune out the world.

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Practically any of our picks will do an excellent job at providing distraction-free listening when on a flight, at the office, or if you’re traversing city streets. Noise-canceling headphones work by using built-in microphones to listen to the sounds in your environment, and they invert those soundwaves to eliminate the cacophony of everyday life.

Having powerful noise-canceling used to mean compromising on sound quality, but that’s simply not the case anymore. Most of today’s flagship ANC headphones provide dynamic, rich, and immersive sound. They support a variety of Bluetooth audio codecs, and some (like Sony’s LDAC and aptX HD) can deliver higher bitrates than the status quo AAC and SBC codecs. But don’t get bogged down in those details; headphones that are tuned well with the right components can make your music sound fantastic regardless of codecs.

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One benefit of buying headphones instead of earbuds is that they can last much longer on a single charge. Whereas you’ll need to plop most earbuds back into their case after five hours or so, wireless headphones can keep the music going for around 20 hours. And some recent models can even exceed that, reaching 40 hours.

We all try to do our best at multitasking, and multipoint Bluetooth connectivity is essential for headphones to meet the same challenge. Multipoint allows your noise-canceling headphones to pair with two devices at the same time. This makes it easy to take a call on your phone and get right back to the music you were playing on your laptop without fussing with Bluetooth settings menus.

Headphones are increasingly gaining features that are exclusive to individual manufacturer ecosystems. For example, the AirPods Max are capable of head-tracking spatial audio and other tricks like audio sharing — but only if you’re listening to them with one of the company’s other products, like an iPhone, Mac, or iPad.

The best wireless headphones for most people

$278

The Good

  • Even better active noise cancellation
  • More balanced, tighter sound
  • Much-improved voice call quality

The Bad

  • Design is very plasticky for $400
  • No major new features over 1000XM4
  • Bulky, awkward carrying case

Battery life: 30 hours / Multipoint: Yes / Audio codecs: LDAC, AAC, SBC / Connectors: USB-C (charging), 3.5mm headphone jack (audio)

Sony’s WH-1000XM5 have a completely different design from their predecessors. The changes result in greater comfort when you wear them on your head for extended periods of time — like on a flight or at the office.

Noise cancellation has been further improved from the already-stellar performance of the WH-1000XM4, putting Sony at the front of the pack compared to all major competitors. Sound quality is more detailed and balanced than the older XM4; the low end is still punchy but tighter and less boomy than before. The XM5 offer excellent voice call performance, and they can connect to two devices simultaneously, so you can stay clued in on what’s happening on your phone when you’re working away on your laptop or tablet.

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The headphones come in black and white.

The headphones come in black and white.
Photo: Chris Welch / The Verge

Sony’s headphones also include unique features like “speak to chat,” which automatically pauses your music and pipes in ambient audio whenever you start talking. Or you can hold one hand over the right ear cup to activate quick attention mode, which is convenient when grabbing a coffee or listening to airport announcements. And like other high-end headphones, the XM5 can detect when they’ve been removed from your ears for auto-pause.

Earlier this year, Sony introduced the WH-1000XM6, and while they offer incremental improvements over the XM5 in terms of sound and ANC performance, they’re also more expensive at $449.99. The XM5, meanwhile, can regularly be found for $300 or less. Weighing price versus performance, the XM5 are a better value, and it’s why they remain at the top of our list.

Read our full WH-1000XM5 review.

The best noise-canceling headphones for travel

$279

The Good

  • Exemplary comfort
  • Top-tier noise cancellation
  • Improved transparency mode clarity
  • Better voice call quality than NCH700

The Bad

  • Immersive Audio is sometimes enjoyable but often bad
  • Immersive Audio drains battery faster
  • No USB-C audio support
  • Case has annoying indentations

Battery life: 24 hours / Multipoint: Yes / Audio codecs: aptX Adaptive, AAC, SBC / Connectors: USB-C (charging), 2.5mm headphone jack (audio)

Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are basically a blend of the company’s prior Noise Canceling Headphones 700 and QuietComfort 45 that borrow the best traits from both — while throwing in a new “immersive audio” listening mode. Like past Bose cans, they’re very light and comfortable on your head, even when worn for long stretches of time. Best of all, unlike the Noise Canceling Headphones 700, these can be folded to make them easier to travel with.

Their 24-hour battery life is more than adequate, and Bose has added support for the aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec for improved audio fidelity on Android devices.

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A photo of Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Headphones.

Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge

The immersive audio feature works well on some songs, but less so on others. It’s worth experimenting with, but even if you leave it off entirely, you’re left with best-in-class noise cancellation, pleasing sound, and a helpful “aware” transparency mode.

Read our full Bose QC Ultra Headphones review.

The best wireless headphones for iPhone owners

Hands holding the silver Apple AirPods Max.Hands holding the silver Apple AirPods Max.

$450

The Good

  • High-luxury design
  • Terrific, balanced sound quality
  • Very effective noise cancellation
  • Dependable and foolproof controls
  • Spatial audio for immersive entertainment

The Bad

  • Heavier than many competitors
  • No 3.5mm jack
  • Wired listening requires $35 cable
  • Case is an abomination
  • Lacks latest AirPods Pro features

Battery life: 20 hours / Multipoint: No / Audio codecs: AAC, SBC / Connectors: Lightning (audio and charging)

There was definitely some sticker shock when Apple introduced a $549 set of noise-canceling headphones in 2020. The AirPods Max cost significantly more money than any of our other recommendations. But Apple’s build quality is on another level: these trade the plastic you’ll find in many noise-canceling headphones for steel and aluminum, and the ear cups are a breathable mesh fabric. They’re hefty headphones, there’s no denying that. But aside from Apple refusing to include a headphone cable in the box, there’s nothing about the AirPods Max that feels cheap. And I appreciate the simplicity of using the digital crown for controls instead of relying on hit-or-miss gestures like taps and swipes.

The most important part is that the AirPods Max deliver audio quality that’s up there with the best high-end Bluetooth headphones. They have an immersive, wide soundstage and fantastic dynamics, and you’ll find yourself hopping around your music library just to hear what they bring out in your favorite songs.

A photo of Apple’s AirPods Max headphones.

The AirPods Max have a stylish design and very premium build quality.
Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge

Apple’s noise cancellation is on par with Sony and Bose, and no one does transparency mode better; at times, it can make you think you’re not wearing headphones at all. Extra features like Spatial Audio (surround sound for movies and TV shows) and automatic switching between Apple gadgets help make it a bit easier to swallow their daunting price.

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But the AirPods Max do have faults. The carrying case is abysmal, battery life is only average for the category, and just like regular AirPods, they’re designed with Apple’s ecosystem in mind. It gets much harder to justify dropping $550 on them if you live outside the iPhone and Mac universe.

Also, it’s worth noting that Apple introduced a new pair of AirPods Max with USB-C charging and five new color options in September. We’re currently testing the latest model, but given just how little they differ from Apple’s existing over-ear headphones, we don’t anticipate markedly different performance. That said, they do support lossless audio and ultra low latency thanks to a recent firmware update, which, technically, isn’t something you’ll find on the Lightning model.

Read our full Apple AirPods Max review.

The best-sounding wireless headphones

A pair of green Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2e headphones on a wood table beside a phone and coffee.A pair of green Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2e headphones on a wood table beside a phone and coffee.

$275

The Good

  • Stylish, standout design
  • Excellent sound quality
  • Supports wired USB-C audio

The Bad

  • No regular headphone input
  • Doesn’t include LDAC support
  • Your ears might get sweaty

Battery life: 30 hours / Multipoint: Yes / Audio codecs: aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC / Connectors: USB-C (audio and charging)

If sound quality is priority number one, then Bowers & Wilkins has you covered with the PX7 S2e headphones. They exhibit superb, detailed sound quality that some people prefer to the AirPods Max. The Bowers & Wilkins cans are true to the company’s legacy and style, with a fine-crafted design that exudes quality. And the newer “e” variant has a revamped digital signal processing that can bring out the best audio quality from streaming music.

I prefer their physical buttons over the tap/swipe ear cup gestures of Sony’s WH-1000XM5. With 30 hours of battery life, they’re more than competitive with mainstream, less expensive picks. And the sound profile is delightfully warm and will bring out the most from your favorite music. The main downside of the PX7 S2e is that there’s no traditional 3.5mm or 2.5mm output for a headphone cable. You can still listen wired over USB-C, however.

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Read our full Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 review.

The noise-canceling headphones with the best battery life

A photo of Sennheiser’s Momentum 4 Wireless headphones on a table.A photo of Sennheiser’s Momentum 4 Wireless headphones on a table.

$250

The Good

  • Much-improved comfort
  • Better noise cancellation than before
  • Marathon 60-hour battery life

The Bad

  • Terribly generic design
  • No more physical button controls
  • Headphones can power on unexpectedly

Battery life: 60 hours / Multipoint: Yes / Audio codecs: aptX Adaptive, aptX, AAC, SBC / Connectors: USB-C (audio and charging), 2.5mm headphone jack (audio)

Sixty hours. They can last for up to 60 hours on a single charge. That’s really all you need to know about the Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones if you’re looking for an endurance champ. But they also sound terrific and prove extremely comfortable over long listening periods. This combination doesn’t come cheap, but you can occasionally find some good deals on them.

Sennheiser’s Momentum 4 Wireless headphones edge out Bowers & Wilkins on comfort thanks to their lighter design, and the noise cancellation is slightly better. Next to the Sonys and Bose’s QC Ultra Headphones, it doesn’t get much cozier. These are headphones you can wear for multiple hours without any fatigue or pressure on your ears.

The Sennheiser Momentum 3 and Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones facing each other while lying on a couch.

They lack the vintage style of prior Sennheiser cans (like the Momentum 3, left), but the Momentum 4 are far more comfortable.
Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge

Sennheiser’s sound signature is a bit more expressive and puts more emphasis on bass than B&W, but that upper treble range still comes through crystal clear. My only real nitpick with the Sennheisers is that they tend to occasionally power on inside the case and automatically connect to my phone for no apparent reason.

Both the B&W and Sennheiser headphones support multipoint connectivity and a range of Bluetooth codecs, including SBC, AAC, aptX, and aptX Adaptive.

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Read our full Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review.

Update, December 4th: Updated to reflect current pricing / availability and several new related links.

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