Sony recently announced that it has upgraded its wearable personal air conditioning equipment and launched a new generation of Reon Pocket Pro Plus. Compared with the Pro model released last year, it has improved cooling efficiency and wearing comfort, and further optimized the appearance design, making it more suitable for concealed wear under various types of shirts. The new product will be first launched in markets such as Europe, priced at 229 euros / 199 pounds, equivalent to about 270 US dollars. There is no plan to land in the US market yet.
The Reon Pocket series was first unveiled in 2019 as a wearable cooling device for the neck and back in advance of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Unlike traditional portable fans that only cool down by blowing air, the working principle of the Reon Pocket Pro Plus is closer to that of a semiconductor refrigeration accessory: it quickly dissipates body surface heat through a metal cooling fin that is close to the skin, and then cooperates with the air duct to discharge the hot air. Sony said that the new generation model has been upgraded in the cooling algorithm. The overall cooling performance is improved by about 20% compared with the previous generation. The surface temperature of the cooling fin can be reduced by up to 2 degrees Celsius, thus bringing about a more obvious cooling effect on the body.
In terms of wearing structure, Reon Pocket Pro Plus uses a pair of improved flexible "hanging arms" that wrap around the neck from both sides to stably fix the main unit on the upper back. Compared with the old model, the new design has enhanced fit and stability, making it less likely to shift when walking or bending over. It is also more close-fitting and easier to hide under clothing in appearance. Sony emphasizes that this change will allow users to use the device more naturally and unobtrusively in commuting or office environments.
To address heat dissipation issues, Reon Pocket Pro Plus also redesigned the exhaust structure and added a retractable and angle-adjustable air outlet. Users can lengthen the exhaust port and fine-tune the angle according to the collar height and clothing style to direct hot air away from the body. Even when wearing a high-collar shirt or stand-collar jacket, hot air can be prevented from being retained near the neck and back. This more flexible air duct design helps improve comfort and heat dissipation efficiency during long-term wearing.
In addition, the new models will work with the latest generation of Reon Pocket Tag 2 sensors to collect ambient temperature and humidity data so the system can adjust cooling intensity more intelligently. Compared with the previous generation, this external sensor has been reduced in size by about 18%, and its shape has been redesigned. It can be hung on the outside of a bag or clothing through a lanyard or carabiner, thereby more accurately reflecting the surrounding environment rather than body surface temperature. At the software level, these sensing data will assist the device to automatically adjust the working mode and balance the cooling effect and battery life performance in different scenarios.
Currently, Sony still positions the Reon Pocket Pro Plus mainly as a personal cooling solution for outdoor and commuting scenes in summer, and continues to emphasize its "concealed wearing" and "fixed-point cooling" features. However, judging from the price and regional launch strategy, this neck-mounted "wearable air conditioner" is still a relatively niche innovative product. It remains to be seen whether it can reach a larger consumer market in the future.