Choosing between digital audio players means deciding whether your priority is a sound-processing-oriented device or an Android-based way to reach music apps. The Sony NW-A55 and Sony Walkman NW-A105 both target portable Hi-Res listening, but their feature emphasis differs. The useful shortcut is to match that emphasis to how you get music, then use the listed prices as the tiebreaker.
Quick verdict
Choose the Sony NW-A55 if its *Hi-Res Music MP3* wording and audio-focused route match how you listen. Choose the Sony Walkman NW-A105 if Android-supported listening is the priority. In plain terms, the NW-A55 leans toward a defined music-player feature set, while the NW-A105 leans toward app-based access. Neither is an automatic winner: the right pick depends on your library, services, and preferred way to control playback.
At a glance
| Comparison point | Sony NW-A55 | Sony Walkman NW-A105 |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 148.00 | USD 126.99 |
| Connection basics | Headphone jack; Bluetooth | Headphone jack; Bluetooth |
| Storage capacity | 16 GB | 16 GB |
Where each product wins
Sony NW-A55 wins for named audio processing and media support. It brings together the S-Master HX digital amplifier, DSEE HX upscaling, and micro SDXC support. That combination gives it a clear reason to stand apart when you care about the player's playback features and memory support rather than app access.
Sony Walkman NW-A105 wins for app-led listening. Wi-Fi and named access to Spotify, Pandora, YouTube Music, Tidal, and Apple Music make it the direct match for someone who wants music services on the player itself. Its Android-supported description strengthens that fit without changing the shared headphone and Bluetooth basics.
Product notes
Sony NW-A55 Walkman
The NW-A55 is the one to choose when micro SDXC support is central to your listening setup. Its description also includes USB connectivity and MP3 playback, giving it a clearly specified path for a personal music collection. The practical limitation is the screen: it lists 1.77 inches, so shoppers who place a high priority on screen size may prefer the Sony Walkman NW-A105, which lists 3.6 inches. That makes the NW-A55 a focused pick for the memory and playback details attached to its title, but not the obvious choice for someone who wants a larger listed display. Its listed open-box condition is shared by the NW-A105, so it does not separate the pair. Choose the NW-A55 when its processing and media-support details matter most.
Sony Walkman NW-A105
The NW-A105 fits a listener who puts screen area and on-device streaming access high on the list. Its listed 3.6-inch screen is a concrete reason to choose it for shoppers who want the larger of the two stated displays. The capacity trade-off is its listed 16GB storage; weigh that if you prioritize room for an on-device collection. It is also listed as open box, matching the NW-A55's condition, so condition does not distinguish the pair. The title's portable digital music player wording suits a compact listening setup, while the service-oriented route remains its key differentiator. Choose it when the larger screen and app-based use case matter more than the NW-A55's processing-focused feature set.
Final choice by use case
- For processing-led playback: choose the NW-A55 if S-Master HX and DSEE HX are the deciding features.
- For app-based listening: choose the NW-A105 if Wi-Fi and its named streaming services matter most.
- For wired or wireless connection basics: either model fits the listed headphone-jack and Bluetooth brief, so those attributes do not decide the matchup.
- For a price tiebreaker: the NW-A105 is listed at USD 126.99 versus USD 148.00 for the NW-A55. Choose it when the two listening routes otherwise feel equally suitable.
