Sony's Wearable AC Just Got Colder: Meet the Reon Pocket Pro Plus

Summary

• Performance boost of 20 percent over previous iterations, dropping body temperatures an additional two degrees Celsius
• Adjustable exhaust vent designed to push warm air away from the user, clearing high-collared shirts with ease
• Bundled Reon Pocket Tag 2 sensor feeds real-time ambient climate data to a smartphone companion app for automatic adjustments

Summer commutes are notoriously brutal, but Sony wants to hack your body temperature before the sweat even sets in. The tech giant just dropped the Sony Reon Pocket Pro Plus, an upgraded wearable air conditioner that sits flush against the back of your neck to provide targeted, skin-contact cooling. Currently hitting the European and UK markets, the device pushes the boundaries of everyday techwear. Engineered by a former Alpha camera division designer, this latest iteration delivers a 20 percent improvement in raw cooling performance. According to the brand, that hardware bump translates to a surface temperature drop of an additional two degrees Celsius compared to last year’s model.

Staying mobile without dislodging the hardware was a major hurdle for past versions, so the updated design introduces a reimagined neckband with flexible arms. This chassis promises a 40 percent boost in stability, keeping the thermoelectric cooling plates securely anchored to your spine during brisk walks or frantic subway transfers. To combat the issue of trapped heat, an articulated exhaust vent now extends and angles outward, ensuring hot air successfully clears your clothing, even if you are rocking a high-collared shirt. A subtle Light Grey colorway also helps the unit blend seamlessly beneath lighter summer fabrics.

Powering this personal climate control system is a battery capable of sustaining maximum chill for up to ten hours, matching its predecessor despite the aggressive performance enhancements. Every kit includes the new Reon Pocket Tag 2, a compact sensor meant to be clipped onto a belt or bag. Instead of relying purely on body heat metrics, the standalone tag monitors ambient temperature and humidity in real time. It syncs directly with the main unit and a companion smartphone app, allowing the system to automatically fine-tune its output as you transition from a blistering sidewalk into an over-air-conditioned office building.

While the personal climate regulator has steadily expanded its footprint across Europe—landing in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Austria, and Switzerland—a broader global rollout remains elusive. Sony has not confirmed an official release for the United States, leaving North American tech enthusiasts waiting for a localized drop. PCMag estimates a potential stateside price tag around $270 USD if the brand decides to cross the Atlantic. Until then, the Sony Reon Pocket Pro Plus stands as an exclusive, slightly dystopian answer to fighting the summer heatwave.