Sony launches three Android 16 Walkman players with prices up to $5,900
Sony has revived its Walkman brand with three new high-end portable music players running Android 16, featuring gold-plated components and prices ranging from $1,900 to $5,900.
Key points
- Sony released three new Walkman models: NW-ZX900, NW-WM1AM3, and NW-WM1ZM3.
- The devices run Android 16 and include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
- Prices range from $1,900 for the base model to $5,900 for the flagship gold-plated unit.
Sony revived its Walkman brand last week with a trio of updated portable music players that run Android 16. According to The Register, the new devices feature touch screens, high storage capacities, and prices that range from $1,900 to $5,900.
The Japanese technology giant named the new models the NW-WM1ZM3, NW-WM1AM3, and NW-ZX900. All three devices support multiple audio codecs, including MP3, WMA, FLAC, Direct Stream Digital, and Apple Lossless. Sony states that these formats help avoid artifacts that can occur during the digitization process.
Hardware specifications and materials
The NW-ZX900 is the entry-level model, priced at $1,900, and includes a five-inch touch screen with 64GB of onboard memory. The mid-range NW-WM1AM3 costs $3,000 and offers a 5.5-inch screen with 128GB of storage. The flagship NW-WM1ZM3 also has a 5.5-inch screen but includes 256GB of memory and costs $5,900.
Sony claims the devices use key components made from oxygen-free copper to deliver uncompromising sound quality. The NW-WM1ZM3 is housed in a gold-plated copper slab, while the others use carefully milled copper. The company also highlights screws with a low-resistance gold-plated treatment to provide a stable ground connection.
Connectivity and battery life
All three models run Android 16 and include Wi-Fi for accessing streaming music services. They are USB-chargeable, and Sony claims their batteries allow for approximately 30 hours of music playback. The devices feature both wired headphone ports and Bluetooth connectivity, which The Register notes is often criticized for audio quality loss.
Availability and market context
Sony’s US website lists all three devices, but the company says it will not ship them until mid-January. This release follows other recent industry news, such as Australia’s record industry deciding not to chart AI-recorded tunes and GitHub ending a short-lived offer to burn repositories on CD.
What should you do?
Security professionals should note that these devices run a consumer-grade version of Android 16. Users should review the default security settings and app permissions upon setup, as high-value targets may attract malware or unauthorized access attempts. Monitor for updates to the Android OS provided by Sony to ensure security patches are applied.
What to do and how to stay safe: Sony
- Review default app permissions on the Android 16 interface to limit unnecessary data access.
- Keep the device updated with the latest security patches provided by Sony for Android 16.
- Use wired headphones instead of Bluetooth when possible to maintain signal integrity and reduce wireless exposure.
- Verify that Wi-Fi connections are secure before streaming music or syncing data on public networks.
Step-by-step guide: Mobile Device Security: How to Protect Data Beyond Passwords
General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
What operating system do the new Sony Walkman players run?
The new Sony Walkman players run Android 16, according to The Register.
How much does the most expensive Walkman model cost?
The flagship NW-WM1ZM3 model costs $5,900 and features a gold-plated copper housing.
When will these new Walkman devices be available for purchase?
Sony says it will ship the new devices in mid-January, so they are not available immediately.
