The Microsoft Lumia 535 Dual SIM and the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini represent distinct eras of budget smartphone design. The X10 Mini, released in 2010, aimed for pocketability, while the Lumia 535, from 2014, focused on bringing Windows Phone to a wider audience. This comparison dissects their core specifications to determine which device holds up better considering their original market positioning and current usability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a functional, albeit aged, smartphone experience, the Microsoft Lumia 535 Dual SIM is the better choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 chipset, despite being a low-end processor, offers significantly more processing power than the Xperia X10 Mini’s aging ARM 11 core, resulting in a more responsive user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - RM-1090 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - E10i |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - RM-1092 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - E10a |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, November. Released 2014, December | 2010, February. Released 2010, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 140.2 x 72.4 x 8.8 mm (5.52 x 2.85 x 0.35 in) | 83 x 50 x 16 mm (3.27 x 1.97 x 0.63 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 146 g (5.15 oz) | 88 g (3.10 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~220 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~157 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.55 inches, 20.1 cm2 (~48.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT (65K effective) |
| | - | Timescape UI |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 | 600 MHz ARM 11 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 |
| GPU | Adreno 302 | Adreno 200 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1 | Android 1.6 (Donut), upgradable to 2.1 (Eclair) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 128MB |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, 28mm (wide), 1/4.0", AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 480p@30fps | 480p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | - |
| | - | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 2.0, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | No | - |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, hotspot (v2.2 or higher) |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | HTML |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
TrackID music recognition
Document viewer
Voice memo
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 78 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 336 h | Up to 285 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h (2G) / Up to 13 h (3G) | Up to 4 h (2G) / Up to 3 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 1905 mAh, removable (BL-L4A) | Non-removable Li-Po 950 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Orange, green, white, black, gray, blue | Gold, Pearl White, Black, Pink, Lime, Red, Silver |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR | 0.49 W/kg (head) 0.44 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) | 1.17 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.9dB / Crosstalk -94.2dB |
Noise -86.5dB / Crosstalk -83.8dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 44h | - |
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 71dB |
Voice 65dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 67dB |
Microsoft Lumia 535 Dual SIM
- More powerful processor (Snapdragon 200)
- Dual SIM functionality
- Likely better camera performance
- Better battery efficiency
- Outdated operating system (Windows Phone)
- Limited app availability
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini
- Extremely compact size
- Classic Sony Ericsson design
- Simple user interface (for its time)
- Very slow processor (ARM 11)
- Limited functionality
- Outdated software
- Poor performance with modern apps
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are listed simply as having 'Photo' capabilities, implying basic camera functionality, but providing no display specifications. Given the X10 Mini’s focus on size, it likely features a smaller display with lower resolution. The Lumia 535, being a later model, likely benefits from a slightly larger and potentially sharper display, though details are unavailable. The lack of information makes a direct comparison impossible, but the Lumia 535’s later release date suggests a more modern panel.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed with 'Photo' camera capabilities, offering no specifics on sensor size, resolution, or features. However, given the Lumia 535’s later release, it likely benefits from a more advanced camera module, even if it’s still a basic sensor. The X10 Mini’s camera, while adequate for its time, will produce significantly lower-quality images compared to the Lumia 535, especially in low-light conditions. Without detailed specifications, a precise comparison is impossible, but the Lumia 535 likely offers a more usable camera experience.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Lumia 535’s quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 processor, built on a 28nm process, represents a significant leap over the Xperia X10 Mini’s 600 MHz ARM 11 core. The Snapdragon 200 chipset, while entry-level, provides a more efficient architecture and greater processing capabilities. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a generally more responsive user experience on the Lumia 535. The X10 Mini’s ARM 11 core will struggle with even basic tasks by today’s standards.
Battery Life
The Lumia 535 boasts an endurance rating of 44 hours, indicating reasonable battery life for its time. The Xperia X10 Mini’s battery performance is unknown, but its smaller size and less efficient processor likely result in shorter runtimes. The Snapdragon 200’s 28nm process contributes to better power efficiency compared to the older technology in the Xperia X10 Mini, further extending the Lumia 535’s battery life. While charging speeds are unavailable for both devices, the Lumia 535’s more efficient chipset will likely require less frequent charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Microsoft Lumia 535 Dual SIM if you need a device capable of running modern (though limited) apps and benefit from dual SIM functionality. It’s a better option for basic communication and light media consumption. Buy the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini if you prioritize extreme compactness and a classic Sony Ericsson design, understanding that its performance will be severely limited by its outdated hardware and software.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Windows Phone operating system on the Lumia 535 still supported with security updates?
No, Microsoft officially ended support for Windows Phone in January 2019. This means the Lumia 535 no longer receives security updates, making it vulnerable to potential threats. While basic functionality may still work, using it for sensitive tasks is not recommended.
❓ Can I install modern apps like WhatsApp or Facebook on the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini?
It's highly unlikely. The Xperia X10 Mini runs an outdated version of Android (likely 2.1 or 2.2 Eclair) that is incompatible with modern app requirements. Even if you could find older versions of these apps, they may not function correctly or securely on such an old operating system.
❓ Does the Lumia 535's dual SIM capability allow for simultaneous active calls?
The Lumia 535 supports dual SIM standby, meaning only one SIM can be actively used for calls at a time. When one SIM is in use, the other goes into standby mode. It's not a dual-active SIM phone.
