So... What's wrong with these Sony's? They're exactly what you're looking for.
Am I supposed to understand that since it's 2023 a music player does indeed mean "something used to listen to streaming services, not files", and that the fact that it's Android means that the regular streaming apps can be used without issue?
It's not obvious to me (And I'm a geek and regular Ars reader) that this thing even plays streaming music!
I think they mention streaming briefly because the target demographic for this device is the kind of people who have their own hi-res files available.
I hope Sony fixed the battery life on those, because the last gen was underwhelming on that front.
But if it has a SIM slot with 4G/5G access then it's nothing more than a repackaged phone.
I mean, if you need cellular, then you're better served with your phone and this isn't for you. It also doesn't have to be for you - use your phone and move on.
A repackaged phone with a quality headphone jack and physical buttons? I'd love to buy that (but unfortunately it doesn't seem to have a SIM slot)
> a streaming service that can't be used in deadspots or tunnels is kinda useless, don't you think?
I think all of them have buffering to pass any dead spot. Also bad reception is a thing of the past where I live and and 30 GB of data makes it all very seamless.
> For me the streaming part is important - I usually don't choose what to listen to before leaving home.
Pre-downloaded mixes are a compromise of discovery and offline playback
Youtube Music :^]
But again, the target users don’t bother with streaming much, the device just so happens to run android, and that makes running streaming apps possible.
I find it bizarre that you are into technology yet can't infer that.