Sonos Ace Ultra headphones could launch in September 2026 with new design, more colors, and AI-focused features
Sonos may be getting ready to expand its headphone lineup with a new over-ear model called the Sonos Ace Ultra. A recently surfaced FCC filing suggests the company is preparing the device ahead of a planned product event in September 2026, where the next-generation headphones could make their official debut.
The filing does not reveal every detail, as much of the documentation remains hidden, but the visible information points to a premium over-ear design that builds on the original Sonos Ace headphones released in 2024. While the first Sonos Ace arrived in just black and white, the upcoming Ace Ultra appears to be planned in five color options: Greige, Shadow Black, Agave, Blush, and Sand. That wider color selection could help Sonos appeal to buyers who want headphones that feel more personal and stylish, not just functional.
The Sonos Ace Ultra is expected to keep the general shape of the original model while introducing several design changes. Earlier leaked images suggested the new headphones may feature deeper ear cups, a moved wear sensor, and a redesigned microphone housing. The microphone area reportedly looks shorter and thicker than before, which may indicate upgrades to voice pickup and active noise cancellation.
Voice features appear to be an important part of the Ace Ultra story. The FCC filing points to support for Sonos Voice Control, the company’s built-in voice assistant. That could be especially useful on a screenless product like headphones, where voice commands are often the easiest way to control music, volume, playback, and smart features.
Sonos has also been talking more openly about artificial intelligence as part of its future product strategy. Because of that, the Ace Ultra may be positioned as more than just a typical pair of wireless headphones. It could serve as a platform for current and future AI-powered audio tools, voice interactions, and smart assistant features.
One feature that does not appear to be returning is a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack. The earlier leak suggested Sonos will instead include a 3.5mm-to-USB-C cable in the box, along with a USB-C charging cable. That means users may still be able to listen over a wired connection, but through the USB-C port rather than a dedicated headphone jack.
Pricing remains unknown. The original Sonos Ace launched in 2024 at $449, so the Ace Ultra could arrive at a higher price if Sonos positions it as a more advanced premium model. However, until the company officially announces the headphones, details such as battery life, driver upgrades, Bluetooth codec support, noise cancellation improvements, and release date remain unconfirmed.
The original Sonos Ace had a mixed rollout. It launched around the same time as a major Sonos app redesign that drew criticism from users due to missing features and compatibility issues. One of the Ace’s standout features, TrueCinema spatial audio, also arrived much later than expected. TrueCinema adjusts the headphone sound based on the acoustics of a room with a compatible Sonos soundbar, but it was not available until about a year after the headphones first launched.
With the Ace Ultra, Sonos has an opportunity to deliver a more polished launch and show how its headphone strategy has evolved. If the rumored design upgrades, expanded color lineup, improved microphones, voice control, and AI-focused features all come together, the Sonos Ace Ultra could become one of the more interesting premium wireless headphones of 2026.
For now, Sonos has not officially confirmed the Ace Ultra, its price, specifications, or availability. But with an FCC filing now in place and a September product event already planned, the company’s next flagship headphones may not be far away.
