Sony YY2976 and YY2979, two mystery devices
Two new Sony model codes have appeared, YY2976 and YY2979. Not much is revealed in the certification, except the place of manufacture, Vietnam.
Update 5
Thanks to a Mexican certification, we know for certain what Bluetooth SoC Sony will be using in this model, the MT2822M. This seems to contradict the Bluetooth SIG information, which I assumed was the MT2833.
So I am thinking, will we see LE Audio in these after all? As this would allow the headset to have a low latency mode for gaming. Both previous Inzone gaming headsets had 2 chips as seen in a similar Mexican certification for the Inzone H7 (YY2960). The H9 uses the same setup.
This is an interesting development.
Update 4
Both the gaming headset and USB transceiver have just appeared on Bluetooth SIG and are certified with Bluetooth 5.3, an change from 5.0 on the current models.
The combined designs, 182912 and 194027 are different to the ones found in the Inzone H7/H9, which are 124814 and 123736.
- 124814 – Mediatek MT2811
- 123736 – Mediatek Hummingbird Duo 5.0
The H7/H9 models also make use of a second dedicated wireless chip from NXP, the NxH3670, which is what the low latency connection uses. This second dedicated chip seems to be missing from the certification, so either it will appear later or Sony is only using one chip which can have multipoint connection to a phone and the USB transceiver.
The combined designs for the YY2976 and YY2979 are 182912 and 194027. they are the following:
- 182912 – Mediatek MT2833
- 194027 – Airoha Hummingbird Duo 5.3
This is our first confirmation of Sony using the new MT2833 in both the headset and USB transceiver. See update #3 correction. Looking at the supported layers (for both), I do not see any LE Audio support, but I could be mistaken. Best to wait for the final certification but by then the headset should already be announced.
We have IFA 2023 in early September again, so maybe we will see an announcement for the show. If not, then later on in the year, like October or November.
Update 3
The headset and USB transceiver have appeared on Malaysia’s certification site, E-ComM. Perhaps we will see a release in the Fall, perhaps in September. Rally curious where Sony will position this model.
Update 2
Both devices have appeared on the FCC. We now know that YY2976 is a over-the-ear model rather than earbuds.
Tonly is the manufacturer of the wireless antenna in the model, not sure if the entire model is made by them, but they do have a factory in Vietnam and the YY2976 is made in Vietnam. The device is labelled as “wireless gaming headset”, so most likely a mid-range model. The internal battery is 3.85V, with a 520mAh capacity. There will be 2 battery suppliers, Springpower Technology and Chongqing VDL Electronics. Charging will be via a USB type-C port. An aux cable will also be provided with the headset.
The headset uses a proprietary 2.4Ghz wireless connection with a USB transceiver, YY2979. This is the same connection method like the other wireless In-zone products use. The only photo of the headset is this one showing the inside from the antenna exposure report.
Perhaps this new wireless model will sit above the wired MDR-G300 as the WH-G500 for example, or it will replace it. The design does seem to look like the current In-zone headsets.
The YY2970 is the USB transceiver as I mentioned earlier. The headset will be compatible with PC and the PS5. I have doubts this is that PS5 branded headset, assuming that even exists as it is only a rumour.
The short term confidentiality on the FCC ends on November 14th, 2023, so a possible release date could be September/October time frame.
Update:
Some new information from TDRA, looks like YY2976 is a wireless gaming headset and YY2976 is a USB transceiver, most likely for this wireless gaming headset.
I do wonder if this is the PS5 headset that I wrote about back in February.
Previously most of the Vietnam produced headsets were low to mid level devices, but with Sony moving WF-1000XM5 production to China, perhaps we could see a higher end device from Vietnam.
Who knows, perhaps one of these is a new WH-XB920N. Until these appear on other certification websites, these will be a mystery. There is always a chance that one of these could be a wireless speaker.
I suspect we will see these later in the year, perhaps for IFA or later in the Fall.
