FiiO’s Ultra-Thin CP11 Puts Hi-Fi Cassette Playback in Your Pocket

Sony gave up on the Walkman’s tape-playing roots ages ago, which makes it slightly funny that a Chinese digital audio company has become the format’s most committed torchbearer.

FiiO’s CP13 really kicked off the modern cassette revival back in 2024. It was an all-analog aluminum deck that proved there was real demand for new hardware. The brand then promised a slimmer, smarter follow-up called the CP15. Unfortunately, that never came to fruition. But now we know why, and it’s because the brand was working on an entirely new player called the CP11.

Per FiiO, the ultra-thin transport mechanism destined for the CP15 turned out to be a nightmare, with structure, servo tuning, and system coordination all proving to be much more difficult than they originally anticipated. Rather than rush it, the brand reshuffled its roadmap at the start of 2026 and slotted in the CP11, a lighter-positioned player that was built to help get that new mechanism into pockets sooner.

The CP11 packs an all-new ultra-thin mechanism, an upgraded magnetic head, a brushless motor with a new servo drive, and revised circuitry. The headliner, though, is of course the Bluetooth transmission. It’s something the fully analog CP13 never offered, and lets you beam your mixtapes to wireless headphones on command.

Renders show a sleek minimalist body that feels far closer to a vintage Walkman than the chunky modern decks we’ve seen from the rest of the revival crowd. There are cream, green, and silver colorways so far, and there’s even a battery hatch around back, which hints that the cell might be user-accessible.

Software and PCBA work is nearly done, with mechanism trial production up next. And it’s worth mentioning, the CP15 isn’t dead either. FiiO says its internals are basically complete and hopes to ship it within half a year.

FiiO hasn’t announced pricing for the CP11 yet, though the brand is targeting a launch by the end of 2026 and openly admits the timing could slip if the mechanism isn’t ready. For reference, the existing CP13 currently runs about $99 to $110.

FiiO CP11 Portable Cassette Player

FiiO reshuffled its cassette roadmap to deliver the CP11, an ultra-thin, Bluetooth-equipped tape player targeting a late 2026 launch.

Learn More: Fiio