From: Vitor Valeri
Fosi Neo Digital Audio Player (DAP) (Image: 某科学的荧光笔/Weibo)
Fosi announced a new DAP (Digital Audio Player) inspired by the iPod Classic during the 20th Shenzhen International Audio Show (SIAS 2026). Called the Neo, Fosi’s “MP3 player” is compact, lightweight, and does not run Android. Its main highlight is the Click Wheel, the iPod Classic’s famous touch-sensitive control, which responds when the user slides a finger across its surface. Below are all the details about this new product.
Update (October 10): The Fosi Neo has launched, and all the details are now available in the launch article.
During SIAS 2026, a Chinese event held from August 14 to 16, Fosi announced a new DAP called the Neo. It is a Digital Audio Player with a design inspired by Apple’s famous MP3 player, the iPod Classic.
This year, several manufacturers have decided to launch products with designs based on the iPod Classic. The first was FiiO, with the NEST Pod JM21 case. It is designed to be used with the FiiO JM21 DAP and the Pod Mode app, which simulates the iPod user interface.
Shanling followed with the Q2 DAP. Launched in early August, the Shanling Q2 attracted the attention of many iPod enthusiasts, but their excitement was short-lived. Although the DAP prototype allowed users to navigate the menu with the Click Wheel, the company decided to limit its control functionality. In the final version of the Q2, the Click Wheel can only be used to adjust the volume.
Unlike the Shanling Q2, the Fosi Neo uses its Click Wheel in a manner very similar to that of the iPod Classic.
The video below shows how the Neo’s user interface responds when the Click Wheel is used. Note that the control was 3D-printed, which is understandable given that the device is still a prototype.
Unlike the Shanling Q2, the Fosi Neo will be an affordable DAP and will be released at a considerably lower price. Like Snowsky’s Echo line of Digital Audio Players, the Neo does not use the Android operating system.
Another similarity between Fosi’s DAP and the players from FiiO’s sub-brand is the 256 GB limit for microSD card expansion. At least the Neo features Bluetooth 5.3, potentially making it a more compelling option than the Echo and Echo Mini players.
The Fosi Neo does not feature a 4.4 mm balanced output. Unfortunately, Fosi’s DAP only provides a 3.5 mm single-ended (SE) output. Its output power has not yet been disclosed, preventing comparisons with other models.
Fosi chose to equip the Neo with a DAC chip that has become widely used in DAPs: the Cirrus Logic CS43198. This is the same DAC found in models such as the FiiO JM21 and Snowsky Echo.
According to a user on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, the Fosi Neo has a “neutral sound with a slight warm tilt.”
The Fosi Neo can provide up to 15 hours of continuous playback. This is the same battery life offered by the Snowsky Echo, for example.
• Battery life: 15 hours
• Bluetooth 5.3
• Body material: Aluminum alloy
• Colors: Black and Silver
• DAC chip: Cirrus Logic CS43198
• Dimensions: 10.6 mm thick
• Display capable of showing album artwork and song lyrics
• Headphone output: 3.5 mm single-ended (SE)
• Internal storage capacity: 16 GB
• microSD card (TF card): Support for cards up to 256 GB
• Physical control inspired by the iPod’s Click Wheel
The Fosi Neo is scheduled for release in October 2026. Its price and exact release date have not yet been announced. This article will be updated as soon as additional information becomes available.
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