The New Sony Walkman: A whole journey into the past
February 5, 2023
As you read, we’ll be able to see the classic music player of the 80’s again and this time it’ll be back with the latest version of Sony Walkman 2023. In this article you’ll discover some things you should know about the new devices. Let’s get it!
Future technology returns to the past
Despite Apple having given up on the idea of developing a music player that could be used as a smartphone as well (they said goodbye to the IPod lineup), Sony has kept the initiative by creating Walkmans with Android for a long time.
The first was the Android 2.3 Gingerbread-powered NWZ-Z1000 from Sony in 2012, which appeared like it had been turned into a music player by simply removing the modem from an Xperia phone.
Since then, Sony has created designs with more purpose-built hardware, and today, a variety of Walkman music players running Android are available. Sadly, it appears that only Europe, the UK, and Japan are currently selling these new ones.
New Sony Walkman 2023 specs
By now very little is known about these devices, however, the Sony Walkman NW-A300 and the NW-ZX700 will both run Android and have 2.4/5.0Ghz WiFi and Bluetooth and although the LE Audio isn’t specified in the proposal either because it was forgotten or it is a more recent development, we only must wait for the Bluetooth SIG certification to find out if LE audio capability is available.
Meanwhile, you’ll be surprised to know that both new Sony Walkman 2023 models (Sony Walkman NW-A300 and NW-ZX700) will make use of the S-Master HX digital amplifier chip, which is compatible with Super Audio CDs and Sony’s high-resolution “NativeDSD” audio format.
Besides, if you’re one of those users who only stream Spotify in 128kb, Sony’s “DSEE Ultimate” feature dubiously asserts that it can “upscale” your music using artificial intelligence. There’s also a “Vinyl Processor” that will amplify your audio with record player noises for a “genuine listening experience”.
Sony Walkman NW-A300 is the consumer-friendly option
Basically, we have equipment whose design is not as new as we can imagine. As you see, during 2019, the company released a very similar device (the NW-A105 with pre-installed Android 9). Nonetheless, this is the latest version of that dispositive with a SoC more modern, Android and and a scalloped back. Moreover, you’ll be shocked to see that the NW-A300 is as diminutive as the size of a deck of cards.
The front is dominated by a 3.6-inch, 60 Hz, 1280 x 720 touchscreen LCD. 32GB of storage is available, and Wi-Fi 802.11AC and Bluetooth 5 are both supported. And well, that is all Sony will reveal regarding the official specifications. Although it advertises a “longer battery life,” it only offers “36 hours* of 44.1 KHz FLAC playing, up to 32 hours* of 96 KHz FLAC High-Resolution Audio playback” while withholding the battery’s size. With the screen off, that ought to be all. To summarize the new Sony Walkman 2023 NW-A300:
- 3.6-inch, 60 Hz, 1280 x 720 touchscreen LCD
- 32GB of storage
- Bluetooth 5 and Wi-Fi 802.11AC support
- Up to 36 hours of battery life
- USB-C 3.2 Gen1 port
Sony Walkman NW-ZX700: A high-end product
Even if it seems too expensive for a portable music player, this device features high-end specifications and it’ll probably be perfect for audiophiles. This has a genuine audio amplifier with large, powerful capacitors to power the analog audio output, unlike standard phone equipment.
With dimensions of 72.6 mm x 132 mm and a massive 17 mm in thickness, it is significantly larger than the A300. Additionally, it features two audio outputs: a 4.4 mm “balanced” audio port and a normal 3.5 mm headphone connection, both of which are used by high-end audio equipment. Sony undoubtedly has a fantastic headphone selection to match. Now we’re gonna give you a summary of Sony Walkman 2023 NW-ZX700 below:
- Adreno 610 GPU and eight Kryo 260 CPUs
- 5-inch, 1280×720 display
- 64GB of storage
- Bluetooth 5 and Wi-Fi 802.11AC support
- Up to 23 hours of battery life
- USB-C 3.2 Gen1 port
Price
In Sony’s home of Japan, the 32GB version (Sony Walkman NW-A300) of the New Sony Walkman 2023 is 46,000 yen (about $360), while in Europe, it’s 399 euros (about $430). On the other hand, 104,500 yen (about $818) is the price of the 64 GB version (Sony Walkman NW-ZX700) of the New Sony Walkman 2023 in Japan.
