The early 2000s were a golden age for feature phones, and the Samsung W960 and Sony Ericsson W950 were standouts. One boasted a cutting-edge AMOLED display and 3D capabilities, while the other was a stylish slider with a focus on multimedia. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung W960 likely wins due to its superior AMOLED display and potentially better camera, assuming it lived up to its promise. However, the W950's established reputation and robust feature set make it a strong contender for those seeking a classic, reliable slider phone.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA | UMTS 2100 |
| EDGE | Class 10 | - |
| GPRS | Class 10 | - |
| Speed | HSPA | Yes, 384 kbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / UMTS |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, April. Released 2010, July | 2006, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 113.9 x 53.9 x 13.9 mm (4.48 x 2.12 x 0.55 in) | 106 x 54 x 15 mm (4.17 x 2.13 x 0.59 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 120.6 g (4.23 oz) | 112 g (3.95 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 400 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~146 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~154 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.2 inches, 29.1 cm2 (~47.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.6 inches, 39 x 53 mm, 20.9 cm2 (~36.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED 3D | TFT resistive touchscreen, 256K colors |
| | Gesture control
Touch Wiz 2.0 UI | Handwriting recognition
Wallpapers, screensavers |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | 32-bit Philips Nexperia PNX4008 208 MHz |
| OS | - | Symbian 9.1, UIQ 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | - | 4GB |
| Phonebook | 1000 entries, Photocall | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 3.2 MP, AF | - |
| Video | Yes | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Alert types | - | Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3, AAC ringtones, composer |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.0, A2DP |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | 2.0 |
| WLAN | No | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML(Opera 8.0), RSS reader |
| Games | Yes | - |
| Java | Yes, MIDP 2.0 | - |
| Messaging | SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer | - |
| | DMB TV
MP4/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
Organizer
Document viewer (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF)
Voice memo
Predictive text input | MP3/AAC/MP4 player
Predictive text input
Photo editor
Organizer
Voice memo |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 425 h (2G) / Up to 460 h (3G) | Up to 340 h |
| Talk time | Up to 6 h (2G) / Up to 10 h (3G) | Up to 7h 30 min |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1150 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 900 mAh battery (BST-33) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Mystic purple |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.02 W/kg (head) 1.22 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.36 W/kg (head) | 1.35 W/kg (head) |
Samsung W960 AMOLED 3D
- AMOLED Display
- Potential 3D Capabilities
- Sleek Design
- Limited Information on Specs
- Potential Software Issues
- Unknown Processor Performance
Sony Ericsson W950
- Established Reputation
- Stylish Slider Design
- Reliable Performance
- Good Multimedia Features
- LCD Display
- Lower Camera Resolution (compared to potential W960)
- Older Technology
Display Comparison
The W960's AMOLED display was revolutionary for its time, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The W950 had a standard LCD, which, while decent, couldn't compete with AMOLED's visual quality. The W960's 3D capabilities, though gimmicky by today's standards, were a unique selling point.
Camera Comparison
The W960 was advertised with a potentially superior camera, but details are scarce. The W950 featured a 2MP camera, which was standard for the era. Image quality on both would be limited compared to modern smartphones.
Performance
The W950's 208 MHz Philips Nexperia PNX4008 CPU was adequate for its time, handling basic tasks and multimedia playback smoothly. The W960's processor is unknown, but likely comparable or slightly better, though software optimization would be key. Expect both to feel slow by modern standards.
Battery Life
Battery life on both phones was likely similar, offering a day of moderate use. The W950's slider design might have slightly impacted battery life compared to the W960's form factor.
Buying Guide
The Samsung W960 is for those intrigued by early AMOLED technology and 3D features, willing to overlook potential software limitations. The Sony Ericsson W950 is ideal for fans of the Sony Ericsson slider design and a well-rounded multimedia experience with a proven track record.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are spare parts readily available for these phones?
Spare parts for both phones are becoming increasingly scarce, but some online retailers still offer components. Expect higher prices and longer shipping times.
❓ Can I use these phones with a modern SIM card?
These phones use older SIM card technologies. You may need an adapter or a SIM card cut down to the correct size. Network compatibility may also be an issue.
