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Sony has officially announced the two Walkman players at the center of the recent leak: the NW-WM1ZM3 and NW-WM1AM3. The luxury ZM3 costs $5,899 in the United States and uses a 99.99% (4N) gold-plated oxygen-free-copper chassis; the AM3 costs $2,999.99 and combines an aluminum-alloy main chassis with a gold-plated copper rear chassis. Both are scheduled to become available in November 2026.
What Sony announced
Sony announced the NW-WM1ZM3, NW-WM1AM3 and NW-ZX900 on October 15, 2026. The WM1 models are the two flagship players described in earlier leak reports. Sony has not announced a shipping day, but says both WM1 players will be available in November 2026.
The ZM3 is positioned as the no-compromise model. Its main and rear chassis are made from precision-machined, gold-plated oxygen-free copper with 99.99% (4N) purity. Sony says the design is intended to provide a stable ground connection and contribute to powerful bass, a wider soundstage and extended high frequencies. Those sonic benefits are Sony’s engineering claims; no independent launch-day measurements or listening tests were available.
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The AM3 is less expensive but still uses a gold-plated oxygen-free-copper rear chassis. Its main chassis is aluminum alloy, making it the practical alternative to the heavier copper flagship.
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- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
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- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
NW-WM1ZM3 versus NW-WM1AM3
| Specification | NW-WM1ZM3 | NW-WM1AM3 |
|---|---|---|
| US suggested retail price | $5,899 | $2,999.99 |
| UK / Europe price | £4,299 / €4,999 | £2,099 / €2,499 |
| Main chassis | Precision-machined, gold-plated 99.99% (4N) oxygen-free copper | Aluminum alloy |
| Rear chassis | Gold-plated oxygen-free copper | Gold-plated oxygen-free copper |
| Weight | 670g, according to leak reporting | 425g, according to leak reporting |
| Display | 5.5 inches | 5.5 inches |
| Amplifier | S-Master HX digital amplifier | S-Master HX digital amplifier |
| High-end audio | Native DSD, balanced/high-power output and DSD Remastering Engine | Native DSD, balanced/high-power output and DSD Remastering Engine |
| Battery claim | Up to 35 hours of 128kbps MP3 playback; up to 31 hours of streaming | Up to 35 hours of 128kbps MP3 playback; up to 31 hours of streaming |
| Storage and expansion | 128GB/256GB options and microSD expansion reported in leaks; Sony has not yet published complete regional specifications | 128GB/256GB options and microSD expansion reported in leaks; Sony has not yet published complete regional specifications |
Why the ZM3 costs almost twice as much
The US gap is $2,899.01: $5,899 for the ZM3 compared with $2,999.99 for the AM3. In other words, the copper model is about 1.97 times the AM3’s price, not merely a small premium for a different finish.
Chassis and materials
The ZM3’s defining cost distinction is its 4N oxygen-free-copper construction for both the main and rear chassis, plus gold plating and gold-plated screws. Copper is substantially denser than aluminum, which helps explain the reported 670g weight versus 425g for the AM3. Sony’s stated rationale is electrical and mechanical: the copper chassis and screws are intended to create a stable ground connection for the audio circuit.
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- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
What the price does not prove
The launch information does not establish that the ZM3 sounds better in a measurable or universally audible way. Sony describes the intended effects, but there are no independent frequency-response, noise-floor, distortion or battery-longevity results yet. The premium therefore buys a specific construction approach and flagship positioning; whether it is worthwhile depends on how much value a listener places on that design and on the player’s weight and price.
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Both WM1 players use Sony’s S-Master HX digital amplifier and support Native DSD, balanced output and high-power output. Sony’s DSD Remastering Engine can resample PCM audio to an 11.2MHz DSD stream. Both have 5.5-inch displays.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Sony rates both models for up to 35 hours of playback with 128kbps MP3 files and up to 31 hours of streaming playback under the company’s stated conditions. These are manufacturer figures, not independently verified endurance results, and actual runtime will vary with file format, volume, wireless use, screen activity and processing settings.
What remains based on leak reporting
Notebookcheck, citing The Walkman Blog, reported that the ZM3 weighs 670g and the AM3 425g. The same reporting described 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm headphone jacks, Bluetooth support for Qualcomm aptX Adaptive and LC3, expected 128GB and 256GB storage configurations, and probable microSD expansion. Sony’s launch announcement confirms the core amplifier, DSD and battery claims but had not yet supplied a complete regional specification sheet for those details. Treat the weights, codecs and storage information as reported specifications until Sony publishes them directly.
Rank #4
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- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
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- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Pre-orders and availability
Sony says the WM1 models will be available in November 2026. In the United States, the company names Sony, B&H and Crutchfield as ZM3 pre-order retailers. AM3 pre-orders are listed through Sony, B&H, Crutchfield and Amazon. Availability, delivery dates and inventory can differ by retailer and region, so a pre-order listing should not be treated as a confirmed shipping date.
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How the earlier leak differed from final pricing
Notebookcheck’s earlier report used yen-derived estimates of approximately $4,120 for the ZM3 and $1,290 for the AM3. Those numbers were estimates, not final US manufacturer suggested retail prices. Sony’s official US figures are $5,899 and $2,999.99, respectively, and should be used when comparing the players in the American market. The UK and European prices also differ: £4,299/€4,999 for the ZM3 and £2,099/€2,499 for the AM3.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Who each player is for
Choose the NW-WM1ZM3 if
- You specifically want Sony’s 4N copper chassis and flagship construction.
- The reported 670g weight and $5,899 US price fit your priorities.
- You are willing to wait for independent testing before judging the claimed grounding and soundstage benefits.
Choose the NW-WM1AM3 if
- You want the same core S-Master HX, Native DSD, balanced-output and DSD-remastering feature set at a lower price.
- A lighter reported 425g chassis is more practical for portable use.
- You prefer aluminum for the main chassis while retaining a gold-plated copper rear chassis.
The Bottom Line
The NW-WM1ZM3 is a $5,899 statement player built around a 4N copper chassis, while the $2,999.99 NW-WM1AM3 provides the same major digital-audio platform in a lighter aluminum-and-copper design. Sony’s announcement confirms the prices, features and November 2026 target, but independent testing is still needed to determine whether the ZM3’s construction delivers audible benefits proportionate to its nearly $2,900 premium.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
