Sony Launches MDR-3R Retro USB-C Headphones Inspired by Original Walkman
Sony is bringing back the retro look of its 1979 Walkman headphones with a modern twist.
The company launched the new Sony MDR-3R model, pairing a classic open-air design with a USB-C cable for contemporary smartphones and tablets. The original MDR-3 model accompanied the first Walkman TPS-L2 in 1979, and the new iteration adapts that heritage for users tired of charging batteries and dealing with Bluetooth.
Sony MDR-3R Features Lightweight Design and USB-C Connection
The new Sony MDR-3R model preserves the lightweight, open-air aesthetic of the original while incorporating modern updates. Developed under the H-AIR concept—meaning “tan ligero como el aire”—the headphones feature a stainless steel and aluminum headband structure. They weigh a mere 38 grams and include 23 mm drivers designed to deliver a natural, balanced sound tailored for current streaming platforms.
To personalize their appearance, the headphones come with interchangeable ear pads in blue and orange colors. Because they are wired headphones utilizing a direct USB-C connection, they do not require charging, pairing, or Bluetooth updates.
They also feature an integrated microphone and an inline remote control for handling phone calls, adjusting volume, pausing, and skipping tracks. Approximately 25% of the product's plastic is recycled, and the packaging uses no plastic, instead recreating elements of the original 1979 packaging and instruction manual.
Pricing, Pre-orders, and Special Editions
In Mexico, the official promotional launch price is 999 pesos during an introductory period, after which the regular cost will rise to 1,349 pesos. The official pre-order runs from November 5 to November 17, 2026, through the online store of Sony México, offering a 10% discount and free shipping, with deliveries starting on November 18, 2026.
Los Sony MDR-3R ya están disponibles en tiendas como MediaMarkt a un precio de 59,99 euros, con envíos a domicilio el 16 de noviembre.
Sony is also producing a limited Stranger Things special edition inspired by the 1980s aesthetic, Max, and the Upside Down. This variant features red and black ear pads, special logos, an exclusive package, and an international price of $79.99 dollars.