Sony has revived its iconic Walkman lineup with a trio of premium digital music players priced from $1,900 to $5,900, bringing upgraded software, gold-plated copper chassis designs, and high-resolution streaming support to portable music enthusiasts.
Sony Group Corp. introduced a trio of premium digital music players priced from $1,900 to $5,900, marking the first new hardware in several years carrying the storied Walkman name. Unveiled on October 15, 2026, the lineup consists of the flagship NW-WM1ZM3, the NW-WM1AM3, and the NW-ZX900.
Sony Prices Flagship NW-WM1ZM3 at Nearly $6,000 USD
At the top of the range sits the NW-WM1ZM3, which carries a suggested retail price of $5,898 USD, with British pricing set at £4,299 according to Sony UK. That price point places the device firmly among specialist, enthusiast-grade gear instead of standard consumer electronics.
The flagship’s price tag stems from its construction. The unit features a precision-machined main chassis made from 99.99 per cent pure oxygen-free copper, finished with gold plating to enhance ground stability. Inside, Sony utilizes thick Kimber Kable wiring from the amplifier base to the 4.4mm balanced headphone jack to reduce noise and preserve signal integrity.
Sony’s next-generation players are engineered to deliver sound by incorporating specialized components throughout their design. The flagship utilizes an oxygen-free copper body finished with gold plating, and even the screws receive a low-resistance gold-plated treatment designed to improve electrical grounding. This construction contributes to powerful bass, a wider soundstage, and smoother high-frequency reproduction.
The power-supply architecture replaces the single high-polymer capacitor with dual ones. A large copper coil with flat wire in the inductor-capacitor filter reduces switching noise and distortion.
The low-dropout regulator converting battery voltage into a steady supply is engineered to avoid adding noise. The NW-WM1ZM3 also features a 256GB built-in storage capacity, which can be expanded further using a microSD card slot.
Alternative Models Feature Aluminum-Alloy Chassis and Android 16
For buyers seeking high fidelity without the flagship’s extreme cost, Sony offers two alternative models. The NW-WM1AM3 is available for pre-order at $3,000 USD, utilizing an aluminum-alloy main chassis paired with a gold-plated oxygen-free copper rear chassis. The NW-ZX900 is priced at $1,900 US, featuring an aluminum-alloy main chassis with a gold-plated OFC rear chassis and 64GB of onboard memory.
All three devices run on Android 16 and feature touch screens alongside physical playback buttons.
The upgraded interface allows users to enjoy larger and clearer album covers, an integral part of the listening experience. Sustainability factored into the design of these new models. No plastic is used in the packaging material for the NW-WM1ZM3, NW-WM1AM3, and NW-ZX900 (coating and adhesive materials excluded, which varies by region), reflecting Sony’s work to lower the environmental impact of its products and practices.
| Walkman Model | US Price | Screen Size | Onboard Memory |
|---|---|---|---|
| NW-ZX900 | $1,900 | 5.0-inch | 64GB |
| NW-WM1AM3 | $3,000 | 5.5-inch | 128GB |
| NW-WM1ZM3 | $5,898 | 5.5-inch | 256GB |
New Walkman Models Offer up to 35 Hours Playback
Sony rates the battery endurance based on playing 128 kbps MP3 files, though streaming and high-resolution files will draw power faster. The NW-WM1ZM3 and NW-WM1AM3 deliver up to 35 hours of MP3 playback or up to 31 hours when streaming via apps in offline mode with a balanced connection.
The new Walkman models are available for pre-order from authorized retailers including Sony.