After a successful Indiegogo campaign in 2021, Sony has decide to unveil the production version of the WI-OE600, the WI-OE610, or Float Run headphones. I wrote about this new model in November 2022, speculating that this could be the production version of the Indiegogo model. Well it turns out I was correct with my speculation. Go me!
As of this post, I can only find the model up on the US, and Yemen Sony websites. I was told these would also be available in Thailand, so I guess a global roll out will occur slowly. In the US, the headset will retail for $129.99 USD, and be available starting in February. The price for Thailand is supposedly 4,990 THB.
This is the third model, after the LinkBuds and LinkBuds S, to receive an actual model name. I do not expect this to become the norm, especially for other future models like the WF-1000XM5 or WH-CH720N, but Float Run is so much better than WI-OE610.
The specifications did not change from the prototype model:
- 16mm driver
- Battery life up to 10 hours, and 10min quick charge providing up to 60min
- AAC and SBC support
- IPX4 certified
- Bluetooth 5.0
- USB type-C port
- 33g
While the specs are identical to the prototype, there are some design changes underneath the skin.
As pointed out by the red arrows, the new model is missing one screw, there seems to be a slot/hole at the top of the plastic, possibly to latch the other half, and the mesh has 4 small prongs, most likely to hold the driver in place.
If these will be supported by the headphone app is unknown, they are not on the list of compatible products, yet. There is voice assistant support, but this might not be via the app. Funny enough the IPX4 rating is not the driver unit, just the main body, so I am wondering how well these will work in the rain. It says sweats and splashes on the US site, where as the Yemen site says:
With an IPX4 water resistant rating, you don’t have to worry about damage from sweat or from getting caught out in the rain.
Hmm, I am guessing the rain is a drizzle, not anything heavy. These will be great for running, and general working out. Gym use would work. but it depends on how loud your local gym is.
The right side features the controls for music and voice assistant control. The design is very reminiscent of the older WS-Series Walkmans.
Finally, the headset comes with a carrying pouch. There will only be one colour, black.
Now we wait for 2 more headsets, the WH-CH720N and the WH-CH520. These should be announced shortly as well.
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