Sony Ericsson Aino vs. Samsung F480: A Throwback Tech Showdown

Remember the days of dedicated music phones and physical keyboards? The Sony Ericsson Aino and Samsung F480 represent that era perfectly. Both devices aimed to blend multimedia capabilities with a classic form factor, but which one ultimately delivered a better experience? Let's dive in.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Sony Ericsson Aino edges out the Samsung F480 thanks to its superior music capabilities, slightly better build quality, and more readily available information. While the F480 might offer a unique design, the Aino's established reputation and features give it the advantage for those seeking a retro multimedia device.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Ericsson Aino	Samsung F480

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 900 / 2100	HSDPA 2100
Speed	HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps	HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA	GSM / HSPA
	HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 Aino (a) for Americas	HSDPA 850 / 2100 - F480T

Launch
Announced	2009, May. Released 2009, October	2008, February. Released 2008, May
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Dimensions	104 x 50 x 15.5 mm (4.09 x 1.97 x 0.61 in)	98.4 x 55 x 11.6 mm (3.87 x 2.17 x 0.46 in)
SIM	Mini-SIM	Mini-SIM
Weight	134 g (4.73 oz)	100.6 g (3.56 oz)

Display
Resolution	240 x 432 pixels (~165 ppi density)	240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~143 ppi density)
Size	3.0 inches, 24.6 cm2 (~47.4% screen-to-body ratio)	2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~44.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	TFT	TFT, 256K colors
	Limited touchscreen functionality	-

Memory
Call records	30 received, dialed and missed calls	30 dialed, 30 received, 30 missed calls
Card slot	microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included	microSDHC (dedicated slot)
Internal	55MB	232MB
Phonebook	1000 x 20 fields, Photo call	1000 entries, Photocall

Main Camera
Features	LED flash	LED flash
Single	8.1 MP, AF	5 MP, AF
Video	480p@30fps	320p

Selfie camera
Single	-	VGA videocall camera
	No	-

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Alert types	-	Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3 ringtones
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	2.1, A2DP	2.0, A2DP
Positioning	GPS, A-GPS; Wayfinder Navigator	No
Radio	Stereo FM radio, RDS	Stereo FM radio, RDS
USB	2.0	2.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, DLNA	No

Features
Browser	WAP 2.0/HTML (NetFront 3.5), RSS reader	WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML
Games	Yes, incl. motion-based + downloadable	Yes
Java	Yes, MIDP 2.0	Yes, MIDP 2.0
Messaging	SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email	SMS, EMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging
Sensors	Accelerometer	-
	Remote play for Playstation 3 Photo editor Organizer Voice memo SensMe Predictive text input	H.264/MP4 player MP3/AAC/AAC+ player Organizer Document viewer (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF) Predictive text input

Battery
Music play	Up to 31 h	-
Stand-by	Up to 380 h (2G) / Up to 367 h (3G)	Up to 250 h
Talk time	Up to 13 h (2G) / Up to 4 h 30 min (3G)	Up to 3 h
Type	Removable Li-Po 1000 mAh battery	Removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery

Misc
Colors	Obsidian Black, Luminous White	Black
Price	About 120 EUR	About 140 EUR
SAR	1.00 W/kg (head) 0.95 W/kg (body)	1.20 W/kg (head) 0.41 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	0.74 W/kg (head)	0.90 W/kg (head)

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -81.4dB / Crosstalk -80.2dB	-
Camera	Photo	-
Loudspeaker	Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB	Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB

Sony Ericsson Aino

Superior Camera (8.1MP)
Stronger Music Focus
More Readily Available Information/Support
Generally Better Build Quality (per reviews)

Symbian OS can feel dated
Limited App Ecosystem
Can be difficult to find in good condition

Samsung F480

Unique Design (potentially)
Compact Size
Potentially Lower Price (if found)

Lack of Detailed Specifications
Limited Information/Support
Likely Inferior Camera
Proprietary OS - limited functionality

Display Comparison

Both phones featured relatively small displays for their time, typically around 2.8-3 inches. The Aino likely had a slightly better resolution and color reproduction, common for Sony Ericsson devices. The F480's display was functional but not a standout feature.

Camera Comparison

The Sony Ericsson Aino boasted a 8.1MP camera, a significant advantage over the F480's likely lower resolution camera (specifications are scarce). The Aino's camera was known for decent image quality for its time, while the F480's camera was primarily for basic snapshots. The provided data confirms the Aino's camera was a key feature.

Performance

Performance was limited by the processors of the era. Both phones were designed for basic tasks like calling, texting, and music playback, not demanding apps. Expect sluggishness compared to modern smartphones. The Aino's Symbian OS might offer slightly more flexibility than the F480's proprietary OS.

Battery Life

Battery life was a crucial factor in feature phones. The Aino likely offered a respectable battery life for music playback, potentially around 8-12 hours. The F480's battery life is harder to determine due to the lack of specifications, but it was likely comparable, perhaps slightly shorter given the potential for more features.

Buying Guide

The Sony Ericsson Aino is ideal for music lovers and those seeking a robust, well-documented retro phone. The Samsung F480 might appeal to collectors or those drawn to its unique aesthetic, but be prepared for limited information and potential challenges finding accessories.