This radio is an update to the excellent ICF-S10MK2 model, so you get the same great sound, reception and battery life with a few improvements:
- The biggest, in my opinion, is a flat, more stable base compared to the old rounded base. With such a long antenna, the radio is a bit top heavy and can tip over when it is fully extended (if somebody bumps the table or there is a gust of wind or whatever). This new model doesn't tip as easily due to the flat base.
- Dedicated on/off switch - the old model combined the volume with on/off so you couldn't leave the volume at your personal sweet spot.
- Headphones will play in both ears - the old version only played in one ear, which was ridiculous. To be fair, this radio is designed more for speaker use than headphone use
- Hinged battery compartment cover so you won't lose it
- Sleeker appearance; this is personal opinion but I like the new look better
- Battery indicator light that dims when batteries are low
If you are looking for a small battery powered radio, this is the one to buy (with one caveat - there is no weather band; had they added this feature the device would be perfect)
As of writing this review, Typhoon Lando (international name Koppu) is doing a great damage at Northern Philippines. This resulted in power interruption in our place. Good thing this radio arrived just in time for us to have a news monitoring device.
In this era of smartphones, when power interruption occurs for a long period of time, all gadgets will run out of power too.
Good thing is that this radio uses 2 AA batteries, which you can easily buy at stores. And if you use rechargeable AA batteries like the Panasonic Eneloop, battery life goes a long way.
The first thing I've noticed is that this new radio model uses a simple small packaging unlike the old model (ICF-S10MK2) which uses an oversized frustration free packaging. This is a big deal for those who ship radios for international use. The ICF-S10MK2's packaging requires a lot of space in a box. This radio's box only measures 5"x 3" x 2".
Just like the ICF-S10MK2, this radio receives AM and FM signals well. I was able to tune at 16 AM stations, including a Chinese AM radio station.
The built-in speaker produces an average sound that's great compared with other portable AM/FM radios. And there's an earphone jack on this model just like the ICF-S10MK2, but unlike the ICF-S10MK2 in which you can only hear the sound at only one of the earphones, this one produces sound at both sides of earphones. And when you tune in at an FM station with good audio quality, you can hear bass using an Apple Earpod, though not great, but it's there.
The FM telescopic antenna is 14" long, which helps a lot in improving the FM signal.
Also one of the best improvements over the ICF-S10MK2 is that there is a separate on/off button unlike the ICF-S10MK2 which incorporated the on/off switch with the volume control. The on/off switch is now incorporated with the AM/FM switch.
For actual size reference, I have included side by side photos with the better, smaller but more expensive Sangean DT-400W and an iPhone 6 Plus.
Overall, if you want a portable analog AM/FM radio, this should be on top of your list.
As my review headline states, this radio will is your best companion when you're doing your laundry, cooking, working at the office or simply listening to the music and news while in bed.
And ohh, this is a Sony ü
Love this little radio...wanted a small radio to take with me. I didn't want one that was so small you had to have a earpiece only. This one is great. Full rich sound, no tinny sound like small radios often have. You can feel the quality as well. Great reception. Refreshing to get to be able to buy a quality piece at a decent price.
Great reception and has no problem pulling in stations 50+ miles away. Only design complaint I have is that the earphones plug is on the side, which defeats the purpose of carrying it in my shirt or jacket pocket. Otherwise, I'm pleased with it.
I just bought this radio for an older family member, as a replacement to her previous portable radio which was the Sony ICF-S10MK2 Pocket AM/FM Radio, Silver. Prior to purchasing this radio, I had purchased 3 of the silver Sony portable radios over a period of 2.5 years for that family member. Said family member uses the radio throughout the day. (No kidding). I am giving this radio a full 5 stars because it does exactly the same thing which the silver Sony radio does for half the price. Currently, amazon sells the silver radio for about $40.00 + taxes and shipping--outrageous!!! Also, this black radio has a better design when it comes to the battery cover. Its battery cover is hooked to the radio's body--meaning: if it ever falls on the floor, you are not going to easily lose the cover because it falls out. The silver Sony radio's battery cover was not hooked to the radio's body, and I recall that my family member, sooner or later, ended up with a battery-coverless silver radio. By having the battery cover attached to the radio's body, this radio's smart design surpasses the silver radio's, which--again--is twice the price. I must note, however, that the battery cover could break if the radio falls. But the radio feels just as sturdy as the silver radio. All the times that my family member's silver radio fell on the floor, the battery cover always survived, intact. It would get lost but it never broke as it struck the ground. The black radio's hooked battery cover, being of similar sturdiness, is, therefore, likely to survive many impacts.
If anything, this radio's design is an improvement, and suitable replacement for the overpriced Sony silver radio.
Feature Product
- Built-in speaker and headphone jack
- Telescoping antenna
- Carrying strap for added convenience
- Battery powered; 2 x AA (sold separately)
- LED tuning indicator & LED battery status indicator
- 4.69 x 2.74 x 1.50 in(W X H X D)
Description
This compact, vertical AM/FM radio is the perfect fit for rooms where space is at a premium. It features a new LED battery status indicator and runs on two AA batteries (not included)— so whether you’re listening through the built-in speaker or via the dedicated headphone socket, you’ll always be able to enjoy great sound.
I work in an office and getting good reception of local channels is difficult. I can put this on the floor behind me and reception is great. No other radio would get the reception. Love having it. Thanks!
The Sony ICF-P26 Portable Radio with Speaker is a great radio to use anywhere. This radio features FM and Medium Wave AM radio signal receptions, a speaker, an analog dial and tuning accuracy light, an FM antenna, a hand strap, strong durability, and a battery indicator light.
Sony now has broadened the frequency range on Medium Wave AM, now 525-1705 kHz, unlike its predecessor, the Sony ICF-S10MK2, which only had the frequency range of 525-1605 kHz, and has kept the full FM frequency range, 87.5-108 MHz. In 1993, the Federal Communications Commission had implemented the extended AM band plan, from 1605-1705 kHz, so the predecessor is older than 1993. The successor to this radio was just recently manufactured in mid-2015. The reception is good, but there is interference between stations in some cases. Once the radio finds the signal, it clings onto it, and doesn't seem to let it go. The Sangean SR-35 doesn't have as good reception as this model, only because if the radio is moved, it won't hold the signal.
The speaker is good, not great, but is clear enough to be heard and very loud. The Sangean SR-35 FM/AM portable radio has better sound than this model.
The tuning is analog, therefore harder than digital radios. On a scale of 1-10, the ease of tuning is a 7. The accuracy of the tuning is iffy, but is good enough to receive stations. This radio, however, has a tuning accuracy light as well, so it makes it easier to tune this radio. The Sangean SR-35 and the C.Crane CC Pocket radios best this radio on tuning.
The next feature of this radio is an FM antenna. The antenna makes it easier to tune in to FM stations. The durability of this antenna is stronger than that of the Sangean SR-35. The Sony radio keeps the position of the antenna the whole time, while the Sangean is loose. The antenna on the Sangean radio bends more easily than the Sony radio.
Most radios feature a hand strap, and this one does as well.
This radio seems hard to break. It is very durable.
A feature that was now included on the ICFP26 that was not included on its predecessor or the Sangean SR-35 is the battery indicator light. When the light is dim, the radio needs new batteries.
Between the Sony ICF-P26 and the Sangean SR-35, the Sony wins.
As advertised, the sound is clear and crisp. Pulls in FM stations I have found hard to find a strong signal. Have not used long enough to comment on battery life, but radio does not show weakness. i will recommend this portable radio to anyone and will count on it when the power fails this winter.
I bought this radio for my wife's birthday. She absolutely loves it!! It gets good reception from far away stations that she couldn't hear clearly on her old one and the speaker is clearly superior to radios she has had previously. The fact that it can operate on both batteries and household current is a a real plus.
It's the best portable radio she has ever had.
Purchased for my 93 yr. old mother. Very simple to use and has great sound with big numbers. Very durable product. I would highly recommend this product for anyone who wants dual band capabilities and something for on the go. Very reasonably priced. Batteries are long lasting with this product. Highly recommend.
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