Sony Ericsson Aspen vs Samsung B7320 OmniaPRO: A Throwback Showdown

Remember the days of physical keyboards and early smartphone experimentation? The Sony Ericsson Aspen and Samsung B7320 OmniaPRO represent that era. Both devices offered unique features and aimed to bridge the gap between feature phones and full-fledged smartphones. Let's see how they stack up today.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Sony Ericsson Aspen edges out the OmniaPRO thanks to its slightly faster processor and generally more appealing design. However, the OmniaPRO's broader feature set and potentially better software support (at the time) make it a close contender. Both are relics, but the Aspen offers a marginally better experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Ericsson Aspen Samsung B7320 OmniaPRO
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 900 / 2100HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100
SpeedHSPA 7.2/2 MbpsHSPA 7.2/2 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPAGSM / HSPA
 HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 -
Launch
Announced2010, February. Released 2010, July2009, May. Released 2009, August
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Dimensions117 x 60 x 12.5 mm (4.61 x 2.36 x 0.49 in)111.8 x 59.6 x 12.6 mm (4.40 x 2.35 x 0.50 in)
KeyboardQWERTYQWERTY
SIMMini-SIMMini-SIM
Weight130 g (4.59 oz)110 g (3.88 oz)
Display
Resolution320 x 240 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~167 ppi density)320 x 240 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~167 ppi density)
Size2.4 inches, 17.8 cm2 (~25.4% screen-to-body ratio)2.4 inches, 17.8 cm2 (~26.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFT resistive touchscreen, 65K colorsTFT, 65K colors
 XPERIA Panels-
Platform
CPU600 MHz ARM 11528 MHz ARM 11
ChipsetQualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1Qualcomm MSM7201A
GPUAdreno 200Adreno 130 GPU
OSMicrosoft Windows Mobile 6.5.3 ProfessionalMS Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard, upgradable to Windows Mobile 6.5
Memory
Card slotmicroSDHC (dedicated slot), 4 GB includedmicroSDHC (dedicated slot)
Internal256MB RAM, 256MB ROM, 100MB100MB 256MB RAM 256MB ROM
Main Camera
Single3.15 MP3.15 MP
Video480p@15fpsYes
Selfie camera
 NoCIF
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth2.1, A2DP2.0, A2DP
PositioningGPS, A-GPSGPS, A-GPS
RadioStereo FM radio, RDSStereo FM radio, RDS
USBmicroUSB 2.02.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/gWi-Fi 802.11 b/g
Features
BrowserWAP 2.0/HTML (IE), RSS feedsWAP 2.0 / xHTML, HTML, Adobe Flash Lite
 MP3/eAAC+/WAV/WMA player MP4/H.264/WMV player Pocket Office Organizer Eco friendly materials Voice memo/dial Predictive text inputMP4/H.264/WMV player MP3/eAAC+/WMA player Windows Live, Yahoo!, AOL Microsoft Outlook Mobile Pocket Office Voice memo/dial Predictive text input
Battery
Music playUp to 12 h-
Stand-byUp to 560 h (2G) / Up to 500 h (3G)Up to 590 h
Talk timeUp to 6 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 7 h 30 min (3G)Up to 10 h
TypeRemovable Li-Po 1500 mAh batteryRemovable Li-Ion 1480 mAh battery
Misc
ColorsIconic Black, White SilverBlack
PriceAbout 70 EURAbout 110 EUR
SAR EU1.05 W/kg (head)0.64 W/kg (head)
Tests
Audio quality Noise -79.5dB / Crosstalk -79.8dB-
Camera Photo-
Loudspeaker Voice 71dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB-

Sony Ericsson Aspen

  • Slightly faster processor
  • Classic Sony Ericsson design
  • Physical keyboard
  • Potentially better software support (historically)

  • Limited display quality
  • Basic camera
  • Outdated software
  • Difficult to find parts/support

Samsung B7320 OmniaPRO

  • Windows Mobile OS (at the time)
  • Physical keyboard
  • Business-oriented features
  • Potentially more robust build quality

  • Slower processor
  • Limited display quality
  • Basic camera
  • Outdated software
  • Difficult to find parts/support

Display Comparison

Both phones featured relatively small displays by modern standards, typically around 2.8-3.0 inches. The Aspen likely had a slightly better resolution, but both suffered from limited viewing angles and color accuracy. Expect a dim and grainy experience compared to today's screens.

Camera Comparison

Both phones featured basic cameras, likely in the 3.2MP range. Image quality was poor by today's standards, with limited dynamic range and noticeable noise. The Aspen's camera might have slightly better color reproduction, but overall, don't expect impressive photos from either device.

Performance

The Sony Ericsson Aspen boasts a 600 MHz Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 chipset, giving it a slight edge over the Samsung B7320 OmniaPRO's 528 MHz Qualcomm MSM7201A. This translates to marginally faster app loading and smoother multitasking, though neither phone is a powerhouse by any stretch. Expect lag and slowdowns with demanding tasks.

Battery Life

Battery life was a strong point for both devices, typical of the era. Expect a full day of moderate use, though heavy usage (web browsing, video playback) would drain the battery more quickly. The Aspen's slightly more efficient chipset might give it a small advantage.

Buying Guide

The Sony Ericsson Aspen is for collectors and those nostalgic for Sony Ericsson's design language and physical keyboards. The Samsung B7320 OmniaPRO might appeal to those interested in Samsung's early Windows Mobile attempts and a more business-oriented device, though finding working software is a challenge.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Are these phones still usable today?
Technically yes, but with significant limitations. Finding working software and compatible accessories is challenging. They are primarily collector's items now.
❓ Where can I find these phones?
Online marketplaces like eBay and specialized retro phone retailers are your best bet. Be prepared to pay a premium for a working model.
❓ What operating systems did these phones run?
The Sony Ericsson Aspen ran Sony Ericsson's proprietary UI on top of Android. The Samsung B7320 OmniaPRO ran Windows Mobile.