Remember the days of physical keyboards and dedicated business smartphones? The Sony Ericsson Aspen and Nokia E72 were titans of that era. We're revisiting these classics to see how they stack up today, focusing on what made them special and where they fall short.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia E72 edges out the Aspen thanks to its superior build quality, slightly better keyboard, and more refined software experience. Both offer a nostalgic glimpse into a different era of mobile technology, but the E72 remains the more compelling choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps | HSPA 10.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - American version |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, February. Released 2010, July | 2009, June. Released 2009, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 117 x 60 x 12.5 mm (4.61 x 2.36 x 0.49 in) | 114 x 58 x 10 mm, 65 cc (4.49 x 2.28 x 0.39 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 130 g (4.59 oz) | 128 g (4.52 oz) |
| | - | Optical trackpad |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 320 x 240 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~167 ppi density) | 320 x 240 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~169 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.4 inches, 17.8 cm2 (~25.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.36 inches, 17.2 cm2 (~26.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT resistive touchscreen, 65K colors | TFT, 16M colors |
| | XPERIA Panels | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 600 MHz ARM 11 | 600 MHz ARM 11 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 | - |
| GPU | Adreno 200 | - |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.5.3 Professional | Symbian OS 9.3, Series 60 v3.2 UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 4 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256MB RAM, 256MB ROM, 100MB | 250MB 128MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 3.15 MP | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 480p@15fps | 480p@15fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | VGA videocall camera |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.0, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS; Nokia Maps 3.0 |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Nokia VoIP 3.0 |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/HTML (IE), RSS feeds | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML, Adobe Flash Lite |
| Sensors | - | Accelerometer, compass |
| | MP3/eAAC+/WAV/WMA player
MP4/H.264/WMV player
Pocket Office
Organizer
Eco friendly materials
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input | WMV/RV/MP4/3GP player
MP3/WMA/WAV/RA/AAC/M4A player
Document editor (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF)
Push to talk
Voice command/dial
Organizer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 12 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 560 h (2G) / Up to 500 h (3G) | Up to 480 h (2G) / 576 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 6 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 7 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 12 h 30 min (2G) / 6 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery (BP-4L) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Iconic Black, White Silver | White, Zodium Black, Metal Grey, Topaz Brown, Amethyst Purple, White Edition |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.39 W/kg (head) 0.88 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.05 W/kg (head) | 1.31 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -79.5dB / Crosstalk -79.8dB |
Noise -88.3dB / Crosstalk -88.8dB |
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 71dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB |
Voice 65dB / Noise 60dB / Ring 66dB |
Sony Ericsson Aspen
- Compact and lightweight design
- Physical QWERTY keyboard
- Sleek aesthetic (for its time)
- Subpar display
- Limited storage
- Poor camera quality
- Less refined software
Nokia E72
- Excellent physical QWERTY keyboard
- Robust build quality
- Slightly better software optimization
- Generally better battery life
- Larger size compared to Aspen
- Symbian OS can feel dated
- Camera quality is still poor
Display Comparison
Both phones feature relatively small, 2.46-inch QVGA displays. The Nokia E72's screen is marginally brighter and offers slightly better viewing angles, though both are adequate for basic tasks. Neither excels in modern display standards.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature fixed-focus cameras, likely 2MP or 3.2MP based on common configurations for the era. Image quality is poor by today's standards, suitable only for casual snapshots in good lighting. Neither phone offers video recording capabilities.
Performance
Both devices are powered by a 600 MHz ARM 11 processor. Performance is comparable, though the Nokia E72's optimized Symbian OS generally feels a bit smoother and more responsive. Expect some lag when multitasking or running demanding apps.
Battery Life
The Nokia E72 typically boasts slightly better battery life, often lasting a full day with moderate use, thanks to its more efficient power management. The Aspen's battery life is respectable but tends to drain faster, especially with heavier usage.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson Aspen might appeal to die-hard Sony fans or those seeking a very specific, slightly more compact form factor. The Nokia E72 is a better choice for anyone prioritizing a robust keyboard, reliable performance, and a generally more polished user experience – especially if you appreciate the Nokia Symbian OS.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What operating systems did these phones use?
The Sony Ericsson Aspen ran Sony Ericsson's proprietary UI on top of Android 1.6 (Donut). The Nokia E72 ran Symbian OS v9.3.
❓ Are these phones still usable in 2024?
While technically usable, these phones are severely limited by their outdated hardware and software. Network compatibility and app availability are major concerns. They are best suited for nostalgic purposes or as retro collectibles.
