Sony Walkman NW-A306 and NW-ZX707 bugs addressed with new software updates

Earlier this year, Sony introduced the Walkman NW-A306 and NW-ZX707, both running Android 12. While the portable audio players had a smooth transit to market, earlier firmware versions have been plagued by issues, particularly for the NW-A306. Now, Sony has distributed version 1.01.04 to both devices to squish outstanding bugs. For reference, firmware version 1.01.04 is approximately a 1.5 GB download for both models.

As with most Android-based devices, the NW-A306 and NW-ZX707 can download their new updates through the main system settings menu. Surprisingly, Sony is offering firmware version 1.01.04 globally, even though it has not launched the NW-ZX707 in Europe. For some reason, Sony has only brought the pair onto the January 2023 Android security patch. In comparison, Samsung is now distributing the April 1 patch for the Galaxy S23 series in South Korea.

According to Sony, firmware version 1.01.04 reduces noise that can occur when playing music under specific, albeit unspecified conditions, over Bluetooth. Additionally, Sony remarks that the update improves general performance but just on the NW-ZX707. Arguably, the NW-A306 has received the greatest refinement, which Sony describes as fixing low-range frequency characteristics when music is played on wired headphones. Based on findings on Head-Fi forums, the NW-A306 can finally playback frequencies as low as 500 Hz correctly after applying firmware version 1.01.04. No other changes have been observed though, nor has Sony confirmed when it will update its two new Walkmans to Android 13.

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