Sony NW-A306

Pocketable form ; Good sound ; Strong file support ; Less expensive than options from FiiO and A&K

Android is slow ; Android takes up storage space ; Android (initially) hogs the attention

A solid portable music player, but the Sony NW-A306 can’t quite escape the feeling that it could have been better. Its pocketable size is appreciated and the audio performance is good, but there are times where it tries to be too much like a smartphone.

Balanced, detailed and absorbing sound ; Small in size and in price ; Can handle very hi-res audio files

No fan of substandard content ; Touchscreen not especially responsive ; Device heats up quite quickly

Get a big boost to the quality of your mobile sound without putting a big dent in your bank account or a big device in your pocket.

Clear, detailed, composed sound ; Pocketable size ; Excellent hi-res audio support ; Wi-fi and Bluetooth supported

Android OS is cumbersome and space-hogging ; Interface can be clunky ; Internal music storage space is only half of what’s available

It’s not perfect, but this affordable Sony Walkman player delivers a mature, even-handed performance at an attractive price