Sony WI-SP510 changes up the design from predecessor

Seems like Anatel is not finished with the reveals. I recently posted the WH-1000XM4 and now it is time for a more affordable option, the WI-SP510. This model will replace the WI-SP500 and I first wrote about it last December when it first appeared on the FCC. Unfortunately not much was revealed in that filing so now we have a bit more including the new updated deign.

The new model has a completely different design, closer to the WI-C600N and WI-1000XM2 than the WI-SP500 it replaces. Gone are the large earbuds instead replaced by smaller in-ear buds attached to the rest of the body with cables.

On left side of the unit is the volume +/- and power on/off, talk buttons and type C usb port. The right side looks to be just for the battery, with no NFC like on the previous model. The water protection has been improved, now at IPX5, up from IPX4. This means you can clean the unit using running water (tap) but not submerged. The change in design will most likely help with usability since the controls are not attached directly to the earbud like previously.

Specifications have changed for the better. Bluetooth 5.0 and an increase in battery life up to 15 hours. A full recharge now takes 3 hours instead of 2, with a quick charge of 10 min providing up to 60 minutes of use. I suspect we are looking at a Realtek based device, RTL8763B just like the C200/C310/XB400 models. Codec support includes SBC/AAC only.

One thing that is not revealed in the manual and filing is the driver size, the WI-SP510 featured a 13.5mm driver. I tried to estimate the size using the photos from the filing and I get around 15mm for the external bud case, so a 13.5mm driver is possible but this is only a guess on my part.

Finally there is no mention of colour options, so apart from the black in the photos, I expect to see a few more other options which could be region dependent.

Source: Anatel