Walkman: A História Ilustrada (1979–2004) A timeline of Sony’s cassette Walkman models from 1979 to 2004 - EP.18 - 1988: SONY WALKMAN WM-505

 

Introduced in 1988, the WM-505 paired a compact body with wireless headphones, long before

 Bluetooth. Its all-metal construction set it apart from plastic models in durability.

A História Ilustrada do Walkman da SONY - série Sports - ep.9 - 1988: WM-B52

 

1988 WM-B52: The Budget Solar Sports Walkman

The WM-B52 replaced the floating WM-35 and traded buoyancy for cheaper novelty. A solar-powered digital watch sat in the cassette door, nodding to the Solar Walkman idea, but the clock and player were separate systems. The tape mechanism was basic and durability-focused. Sports here became a look and a price point, not an engineering statement.

A História Ilustrada do Walkman da SONY - série Sports - ep.8 - 1988: WM-AF58

 

1988 WM-AF58: The Sports Walkman With a Clock Brain

The WM-AF58 shows the Sports identity starting to blur. It kept the yellow look and a radio, but it lacked waterproofing and serious shock protection. Its standout feature was a solar-powered alarm clock module, a parts swap that feels more like internal reuse than athletic purpose. It reads like a standard late-80s Walkman dressed in Sports colors to keep the lineup consistent.