Portable music players remain popular—and with the new Android-based FiiO M21, you can enjoy all your favorite audio content on the go.
At first glance, a music player running Android may sound a bit odd. Especially in an era when we all carry feature-rich smartphones based on iOS or Android. Even if you’re not impressed by the built-in DACs of most phones, there’s a wide range of external DACs available to suit every budget and ear. In fact, with headphone jacks disappearing from most smartphones, a dedicated music player is increasingly essential. And that’s exactly where the new FiiO M21 comes in.
The FiiO M21 does include headphone jacks. Its core is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 SoC, supported by 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage. If needed, that storage can be expanded via microSD card up to 2 TB. And that should be more than enough for a portable collection.
Four DACs in Matrix Configuration
On the audio side, the FiiO M21 features four Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips arranged in a matrix configuration. This setup helps minimize crosstalk and electronic noise. Also noteworthy is the “desktop mode” the player supports. When connected to an external power source via a dedicated USB-C input, output power can rise to a maximum of 950 mW per channel / 21 Vpp. For mobile listening, the internal battery offers up to 15 hours of playtime via the 3.5 mm output. With the balanced 4.4 mm output, you’ll still get up to 11.5 hours.
The FiiO M21 is available now for €329—an excellent deal, all things considered!