FiiO portable player launch plan for 2025

[Vitor Valeri]

Comment from James Chung (CEO and founder of FiiO):

I. Pure Audio Series​

The ECHO MINI marked the long-awaited return of FiiO’s pure audio players—and it was an instant success. In 2025, we will continue launching several pure audio players, including:

1. ECHO NANO
   
   • A more compact and budget-friendly version of the ECHO MINI.
   • A high-value ultra-portable Hi-Fi player.
   • Expected to launch by the end of the year.
2. ECHO
   
   • Positioned above the ECHO MINI, based on user feedback.
   • Expected to launch in autumn 2025.
3. DISCUE
   
   • A high-end pure audio player based on the Ingenic X2000 processor.
   • Superior in performance and functionality compared to the ECHO series.
   • Features a retro-inspired product design that will surprise users.

---

II. Android-Based Series​

Starting with JM21, all FiiO Android portable players will receive major platform upgrades:

• Entry-level and mid-range models will be powered by Snapdragon 680.
• High-end models will feature a next-generation Qualcomm chip, currently the industry leader.

If you're planning to buy an Android portable player in 2025, hold off and wait for FiiO’s new releases. The JM21 and M21, which use Snapdragon 680, are just the beginning—the real flagship models have yet to be unveiled.


Now, let's look at FiiO’s 2025 portable player release schedule:

1. M21
   
   • Revealed at the recent Shanghai Headphone Expo.
   • Specifications:
     • Snapdragon 680
     • New 4x 43918 DAC matrix
     • Desktop mode
     • High-power amplifier
   • Highlight: A magnetic cassette-style protective case, which has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from audiophiles.
   • Expected launch: April 2025, with a highly competitive price similar to JM21.
2. M27
   
   • Originally planned for late 2024, but delayed to refine sound quality and user experience.
   • The true flagship of 2025.
   • Specifications:
     • New Qualcomm Snapdragon 7-series processor
     • Removable battery
     • Dual TF card slots
     • Standard optical output
     • Flagship DAC chip from ESS
   • Expected launch: June 2025.
3. M25
   
   • The successor to the M15S.
   • Still in the early planning stage, with a target launch in December 2025.
   • Will use the same Qualcomm processor as the M27.
   • Since design and specifications have not been finalized, further details cannot be disclosed yet.
   • However, we aim to make this player even better in sound quality, usability, and design innovation.

 

[tomaster]

Let's hope ECHO will have a dedicated volume slider and proper Bluetooth support, those two issues stop me from buying ECHO mini.

 

[buckster666]

Fiio are bringing some serious heat to the DAP market in 2025

 

[bazzz]

I was researching replacements for my old X1 and saw the JM21. Thought I would check it out on this forum and saw this. I think I’ll wait a little longer and see what hits the market. Thanks for sharing this info.

 

[JimiMack]

I was researching replacements for my old X1 and saw the JM21. Thought I would check it out on this forum and saw this. I think I’ll wait a little longer and see what hits the market. Thanks for sharing this info.

Don't wait too long otherwise you will see more and more options become available and it can cause you to keep rethinking which one.

 

[bazzz]

Some of the options are automatically eliminated by pricing

 

[sajesak]

Comment from James Chung (CEO and founder of FiiO):

I. Pure Audio Series​

The ECHO MINI marked the long-awaited return of FiiO’s pure audio players—and it was an instant success. In 2025, we will continue launching several pure audio players, including:

1. ECHO NANO
   • A more compact and budget-friendly version of the ECHO MINI.
   • A high-value ultra-portable Hi-Fi player.
   • Expected to launch by the end of the year.
2. ECHO
   • Positioned above the ECHO MINI, based on user feedback.
   • Expected to launch in autumn 2025.
3. DISCUE
   • A high-end pure audio player based on the Ingenic X2000 processor.
   • Superior in performance and functionality compared to the ECHO series.
   • Features a retro-inspired product design that will surprise users.

---

II. Android-Based Series​

Starting with JM21, all FiiO Android portable players will receive major platform upgrades:

• Entry-level and mid-range models will be powered by Snapdragon 680.
• High-end models will feature a next-generation Qualcomm chip, currently the industry leader.

If you're planning to buy an Android portable player in 2025, hold off and wait for FiiO’s new releases. The JM21 and M21, which use Snapdragon 680, are just the beginning—the real flagship models have yet to be unveiled.


Now, let's look at FiiO’s 2025 portable player release schedule:

1. M21
   • Revealed at the recent Shanghai Headphone Expo.
   • Specifications:
     • Snapdragon 680
     • New 4x 43918 DAC matrix
     • Desktop mode
     • High-power amplifier
   • Highlight: A magnetic cassette-style protective case, which has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from audiophiles.
   • Expected launch: April 2025, with a highly competitive price similar to JM21.
2. M27
   • Originally planned for late 2024, but delayed to refine sound quality and user experience.
   • The true flagship of 2025.
   • Specifications:
     • New Qualcomm Snapdragon 7-series processor
     • Removable battery
     • Dual TF card slots
     • Standard optical output
     • Flagship DAC chip from ESS
   • Expected launch: June 2025.
3. M25
   • The successor to the M15S.
   • Still in the early planning stage, with a target launch in December 2025. trusted one
   • Will use the same Qualcomm processor as the M27.
   • Since design and specifications have not been finalized, further details cannot be disclosed yet.
   • However, we aim to make this player even better in sound quality, usability, and design innovation.

FiiO's 2025 lineup includes several exciting releases. The ECHO NANO, a compact and budget-friendly ultra-portable Hi-Fi player, is expected by the end of the year, followed by the ECHO, an upgraded version of the ECHO MINI, launching in autumn 2025. The DISCUE is a high-end player based on the Ingenic X2000 processor with a retro-inspired design, offering superior performance, and will also be released in 2025. For Android-based players, the M21, powered by Snapdragon 680, will be released in April 2025, while the M27, with a Snapdragon 7-series processor and ESS DAC, is expected in June 2025. The M25, the successor to the M15S, will be released in December 2025, bringing further improvements in sound and design. FiiO recommends waiting for these releases if you're looking to buy an Android portable player in 2025.

 

[weexisttocease]

Does the M27 will offer USB-C desktop mode?

 

[JamesFiiO]

Does the M27 will offer USB-C desktop mode?

yes, it will

 

[nekromantik]

So sounds like M25 will be competitor to IBasso DX260. Will wait for that. M21 seems like it will be competitor to IBasso DX180.

 

[Vitor Valeri]

So sounds like M25 will be competitor to IBasso DX260. Will wait for that. JM21 seems like it will be competitor to IBasso DX180.

You meant FiiO M21, right? There is FiiO JM21, which was released in November 2024, and FiiO M21, which will be released in April 2025.

 

[nekromantik]

You meant FiiO M21, right? There is FiiO JM21, which was released in November 2024, and FiiO M21, which will be released in April 2025.

yup M21. corrected it

 

[Rockcoon]

@JamesFiiO , greetings. Does the new Echo will have only physical button control, or it will have touchscreen?

 

[JamesFiiO]

@JamesFiiO , greetings. Does the new Echo will have only physical button control, or it will have touchscreen?

Not, it may share the same design with ECHO MINI, but with metal case and USB DAC, and supports AAC

 

[decdec12ypt]

Not, it may share the same design with ECHO MINI, but with metal case and USB DAC, and supports AAC

How about support for M3U or M3U8 playlist? As far as I can remember on reviews, Echo Mini don't have support for external playlist.