Sony relaunches Walkman with new models and iPhone takes inspiration

Meta description: Sony updates the Walkman line with three Android 16 models and Full HD screens; iPhone gains an app that simulates the player, according to ANSA.

Sony announced the relaunch of the Walkman line with three new models — nw-zx900, nw-wm1am3 and nw-wm1zm3 —, according to ANSA. The devices were unveiled with a focus on high-quality sound and the ability to install streaming apps due to adopting the Android platform. The announcement points to a new strategy for the company’s audio-dedicated devices, with a design closer to smartphones than the classic Walkman look since 1979.

Main novelties announced by Sony

According to ANSA, Sony presented three new Walkman family models: nw-zx900, nw-wm1am3 and nw-wm1zm3. Coverage indicates the devices use the Android platform and feature Full HD screens, signaling a shift from the traditional form factor of the portable music player. The brand also highlighted that the new design is more akin to contemporary smartphones, gradually moving away from the iconic appearance that characterized the devices since the original 1979 release.

The company emphasized the ability to install streaming apps and music services — a feature enabled by using Android — as well as improvements in the digital amplifier and headphone outputs aimed at the audiophile audience.

Model specifications

• nw-zx900: positioned as the entry-level model, with a display of about 5 inches, 64 GB of internal storage, and a microSD slot for expansion. Sony stated that the device will allow the installation of music streaming apps, leveraging Android to offer a more flexible experience than the traditional Walkman. The brand also announced improvements in the digital amplifier and a headphone output designed to elevate playback quality.

• nw-wm1am3: a high-end model, according to ANSA, with a larger screen (coverage mentions about 5.5 inches), 128 GB of storage and a copper back, a finish valued by audiophiles for aesthetic and conductive reasons. Sony noted that this model will be positioned in the premium segment, with a significantly higher price than the basic model (exact amount not specified by the cited article).

• nw-wm1zm3: completes the offering, maintaining the same Android platform and focus on sound quality, with finish and component differences designed to serve distinct audiences within the premium segment.

Market context and the iPhone connection

The Walkman refresh comes as the audio market is dominated by smartphones, streaming services, wireless headphones, and AI-based solutions. Still, Sony bets there is room for dedicated music devices, aimed at enthusiasts who seek hardware components and tuning specific for high-quality playback.

ANSA also notes that Apple included in the iPhone an app that simulates the Walkman, according to the report, which, according to analysts cited, reveals market interest in Walkman-like interfaces and experiences — a music-navigation and playback experience centered on music, even on generalist platforms. The iPhone integration signals that the functional aesthetics and usage experience created by the Walkman still influence smartphone manufacturers.

Relevance for readers interested in technology

For Raízes Italianas readers interested in technology, culture, and trends between Brazil and Italy, the news has practical points of interest:

• market trends: Sony’s focus on dedicated devices reinforces that there is a audience for premium audio equipment, useful information for collectors and audiophiles in Brazil;
• impact on price and availability: premium models tend to reach the Brazilian market at higher prices due to import taxes, logistics, and resale margins; those interested in importing should consider these costs and monitor specialized resales;
• cultural and technological influence: the presence of an “Walkman-style” app on the iPhone demonstrates how classical music consumption experiences continue to be reinterpreted on global platforms.

Readers seeking more information about the Italian tech and culture market can follow our other pages, for example in Notícias da Italia and about everyday life in the country in Vida na Itália. For readers interested in topics on the Brazil-Italy relationship, there is also content about Cidadania Italiana when relevant.

Conclusion

The Sony Walkman update with Android, Full HD screens, and a focus on sound quality reaffirms a premium niche for dedicated players, while the adoption of a Walkman-style app on the iPhone shows that the Walkman experience continues to influence the industry. For enthusiasts in Brazil, the launches point to market trends and hints that specialized audio products will continue coexisting with smartphones and streaming services.

Source: ANSA