iPod nostalgia is at an all-time high, so meet two new cheap, adorable tiny hi-res music players that invoke the best of the music-player era (bring your own white wired earbuds)

Date:
Wed, 26 Aug 2026 22:00:00 +0000

Description:
Fiio and Shanling release iPod doppelgngers with perks Apple's music players didn't have, perfect for the wired headphones revival.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Shanling Q2 unveiled as an iPod nano-alike upgrade for high-res music Fiio recently launched the Echo Nano,
an original iPod shuffle-like player with a screen iPods are so nostalgic, they're still being actively advertised by resellers Remember the iPod? Of course you do: nostalgia is so high that you still have tech journalists dusting off their iPod Classics , they're so popular on resellers that refurb site BackMarket is actively advertising them as though they're new, and popular audio brands are releasing doppelgangers that have even more features than the originals.

In recent weeks, both Shanling and Fiio have released products that look like iPods going through their goth stage, but they're not just cash-ins. These
are devices that could end up on our best hi-res audio players list , with features and tools Apple never gave us. These new releases aren't quite a surprise and not just because Fiio released another iPod nano lookalike at the end of 2025 . No, the non-smart low-tech revival is in full swing, and
the proof is in the pudding. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

We're seeing transportable SACD players , retro cassette players and blingy throwback turntables , and other such products launching with regularity. Buyers want distraction-free devices, especially ones which let them avoid streaming music, and manufacturers have delivered. Let's get to know the Fiio and Shanling (Image credit: FiiO) The Fiio Echo Nano was unveiled early in August 2026. It costs $49.99 / 54.99 (about AU$110), a fair amount cheaper than the launch price of its Apple doppelganger: the stick-thin first-gen
iPod Shuffle (which is admittedly now available through resale sites for a fraction of the price). You may like The best MP3 players and hi-res audio players I found my 2006 iPod nano during a clearout and it was an emotive pre-streaming time capsule How using a cassette player changed one music
fan's listening habits

This mechanical-looking MP3 player has a physical scroll wheel for
navigation, and an 0.91-inch display to see what you're selecting. And in
true Fiio style, the real magic is on the inside aside from a great DAC, there's space for a 256GB microSD card. The battery life reaches seven hours, and you can even use the device as a USB DAC, if you plug it into your PC or smartphone.

The Echo Nano weighs 33.5g, and as you can see from the picture, there are loads of color options available. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. (Image credit: Shanling) If you've got more money burning a hole in your pocket, there's the Shanling Q2, which bears more than a passing resemblance to the third-gen iPod nano (albeit thicker, so there's a bit of iPod mini in there, too). It was unveiled in late August, for the sum of $269 (about 200, AU$400).

This adorable model supports in-demand file formats such as FLAC, WAV, ALAC and DSF, and has four built-in DAC chips for clarity and detail, handling music up to 768kHz/32-bit and DSD512. The device also supports Bluetooth output, via LDAC or aptX HD.

Unlike in iPods, there are two headphone jacks: a 4.4mm balanced one and a 3.5mm one. There's capacity for up to 2TB of music via microSD card, but you'll need to buy one separately, and there's no storage space in the device itself. What to read next Think CD players died in the 2000s? These 9 wonderfully weird new models prove otherwise My favorite portable hi-fi accessory is back, but I think its missed a key upgrade The best portable
DACs

According to Shanling, the device lasts for 13.5 hours of listening, and weighs 82g. There's even a smartphone app which lets you control your music player from your mobile, although that's perhaps getting away from the spirit of having a dedicated player

I know what you're asking: yes, the scroll wheel is a physical one that you can swipe around and around in circles, but the display is also a touchscreen if you'd rather just press on the options you'd like.

That's a lot of specs and features, but which is best? Well, the giant price difference probably gives away which has the thicker feature list. But if you want a personal recommendation, form factor is paramount for me: if you want
a gadget that's lightweight and svelte, perhaps for low-tech days or for workouts, smaller is better than feature-rich, I think. The best music
players for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

Read our full guide to the best hi-res music players 1. Best overall: Activo P1 2. Best budget hi-res player: Fiio JM21 3. Best step-up hi-res player: Astell & Kern A&norma SR35 Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/audio/portable-media-players/ipod-nostalgia-is-at-an -all-time-high-so-meet-two-new-cheap-adorable-tiny-hi-res-music-players-that-i nvoke-the-best-of-the-music-player-era-bring-your-own-white-wired-earbuds


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