The LG GT550 Encore and Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini represent a pivotal moment in Android's history – the push towards more accessible and compact smartphones. Both devices aimed to deliver a smartphone experience in a pocketable form factor, but their approaches differed significantly. This comparison dissects their hardware and software to determine which offered the better experience for users in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a functional, if basic, smartphone experience, the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini edges out the LG GT550 Encore. The inclusion of the Qualcomm Snapdragon S1 chipset, even with its limitations, provides a more responsive user experience than whatever hardware the GT550 Encore utilized, making it the slightly more capable device.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1900 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - E10i |
| Speed | HSPA 3.6/0.384 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | - | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - E10a |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, October. Released 2010, October | 2010, February. Released 2010, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 106 x 53.3 x 12 mm (4.17 x 2.10 x 0.47 in) | 83 x 50 x 16 mm (3.27 x 1.97 x 0.63 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 104.9 g (3.67 oz) | 88 g (3.10 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 240 x 400 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~155 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~157 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.0 inches, 25.6 cm2 (~45.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.55 inches, 20.1 cm2 (~48.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT resistive touchscreen, 256K colors | TFT (65K effective) |
| | - | Timescape UI |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | 600 MHz ARM 11 |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 |
| GPU | - | Adreno 200 |
| OS | - | Android 1.6 (Donut), upgradable to 2.1 (Eclair) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | - | 128MB |
| Phonebook | 1000 entries | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 3.15 MP | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 320p | 480p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 2.0, A2DP, EDR |
| Positioning | A-GPS only | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, hotspot (v2.2 or higher) |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML | HTML |
| Games | Yes | - |
| Java | Yes, MIDP 2.0 | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS, Email, IM | - |
| Sensors | - | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | SNS integration
MP3/WAV/eAAC+
MP4/H.264 player
Organizer
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input | ANT+
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
TrackID music recognition
Document viewer
Voice memo
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 240 h | Up to 285 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 3 h | Up to 4 h (2G) / Up to 3 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 950 mAh battery | Non-removable Li-Po 950 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Gold, Pearl White, Black, Pink, Lime, Red, Silver |
| Price | About 60 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 1.17 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -86.5dB / Crosstalk -83.8dB |
| Camera | - |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 65dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 67dB |
LG GT550 Encore
- Potentially lower price point
- Compact form factor (assumed)
- Entry-level Android experience
- Unknown processor performance
- Limited specifications available
- Likely slower user interface
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini
- Qualcomm Snapdragon S1 chipset
- More responsive user experience
- Sony’s image processing expertise
- Small display size
- Limited internal storage
- Outdated operating system
Display Comparison
Given the lack of display specifications for the LG GT550 Encore, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both devices targeted the budget segment, suggesting both likely employed resistive touchscreen technology, common at the time. The Xperia X10 mini’s compact 2.6-inch display, while small by today’s standards, was a deliberate design choice for one-handed operation. The Encore likely had a similar or slightly larger display, but without knowing its resolution or panel type, it’s difficult to assess its quality. Both would have suffered from limited viewing angles and lower brightness compared to modern displays.
Camera Comparison
Both the LG GT550 Encore and the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini feature a photo camera, but details are sparse. The Xperia X10 mini’s camera, while lacking advanced features like autofocus or flash, benefited from Sony’s image processing expertise. The Encore’s camera quality is unknown, but given its position in the market, it likely offered a lower-resolution and less capable imaging experience. The absence of detailed camera specifications for both devices highlights their focus on core smartphone functionality rather than advanced photography.
Performance
The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini’s Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 chipset, featuring a 600 MHz ARM 11 CPU, represents a significant advantage over the unknown processor within the LG GT550 Encore. The Snapdragon S1, while dated, offered hardware acceleration for multimedia tasks and a more responsive user interface. The ARM 11 architecture in the Xperia X10 mini was a step up from the processors typically found in feature phones of the era, allowing for smoother multitasking and faster application loading times. The Encore, lacking a known chipset, likely relied on a less powerful processor, resulting in a slower and less fluid user experience.
Battery Life
Battery life on both devices would have been heavily influenced by usage patterns. The Xperia X10 mini’s 950 mAh battery, coupled with the Snapdragon S1’s power efficiency, likely provided a full day of moderate use. The LG GT550 Encore’s battery capacity is unknown, but its potentially less efficient processor could have resulted in shorter battery life. Both devices would have suffered from limited standby times compared to modern smartphones, due to the limitations of early Android operating systems and cellular technology.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG GT550 Encore if you prioritize a potentially lower price point and are comfortable with a likely more basic software experience. Its appeal lies in being a very affordable entry into the smartphone world. Buy the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini if you prefer a slightly more refined Android experience powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon S1, offering a noticeable performance boost for tasks like web browsing and app usage, despite its compact size.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Qualcomm Snapdragon S1 in the Xperia X10 mini powerful enough for modern apps?
No, the Snapdragon S1 is a very old processor and will struggle with most modern Android applications. It was sufficient for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light web browsing in 2010, but it lacks the processing power and memory capacity to run contemporary apps smoothly.
❓ What version of Android did the LG GT550 Encore ship with, and is it upgradable?
Information on the LG GT550 Encore’s initial Android version is scarce. However, given its release timeframe, it likely shipped with Android 2.1 or 2.2. Upgradability is highly unlikely due to the device’s limited hardware and the manufacturer’s support cycle.
❓ How does the compact size of the Xperia X10 mini affect usability?
The Xperia X10 mini’s small size makes it ideal for one-handed operation, but it also means a smaller keyboard and limited screen real estate for web browsing and media consumption. Users with larger hands may find the keyboard cramped and the screen difficult to interact with.
