The Sony Ericsson C901 and C902 were iconic slider phones, celebrated for their impressive cameras and stylish designs. Released in quick succession, they represented the peak of Sony Ericsson's camera-centric mobile strategy. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which one holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The C902 offers subtle refinements over the C901, including improved autofocus and a slightly more refined design. While the C901 was a groundbreaking camera phone, the C902's minor upgrades make it the slightly better choice, especially if you can find one in good condition.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 2100 - C902i only |
| Speed | HSPA 3.6/0.384 Mbps | HSPA 3.6/0.384 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2009, February. Released 2009, May | 2008, February. Released 2008, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 105 x 45 x 13 mm (4.13 x 1.77 x 0.51 in) | 108 x 49 x 10.5 mm (4.25 x 1.93 x 0.41 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 107 g (3.77 oz) | 107 g (3.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~182 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~200 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.2 inches, 15.0 cm2 (~31.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.0 inches, 12.4 cm2 (~23.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | TFT, 256K colors |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | 30 received, dialed and missed calls | 30 received, dialed and missed calls |
| Card slot | Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 8 GB | Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 8 GB |
| Internal | 110MB | 160MB |
| Phonebook | 1000 x 20 fields, Photo call | 1000 x 20 fields, Photo call |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | xenon flash, LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 320p | 320p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | QCIF videocall camera |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Alert types | - | Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3, AAC ringtones |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.0, A2DP | 2.0, A2DP |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| WLAN | No | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/HTML (NetFront), RSS reader | WAP 2.0/HTML (NetFront), RSS reader |
| Games | Yes, incl. motion-based + downloadable | Yes + downloadable |
| Java | Yes, MIDP 2.0 | Yes, MIDP 2.0 |
| Messaging | SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, IM | SMS, MMS, Email, Push Email, Instant Messaging |
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| | MP3/AAC/MP4 player
TrackID music recognition
Photo editor
YouTube application
Organizer
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input | MP3/AAC/MP4 player
TrackID music recognition
Photo editor
Organizer
Voice memo/dial |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 430 h | Up to 400 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 9 h 30 min | Up to 9 h (2G) / Up to 4 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 950 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 930 mAh battery (BST-38) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Noble Black, Sincere Silver, Precious Peach | Swift Black, Luscious Red, Titanium Silver, Cinnamon Bronze |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.32 W/kg (head) 1.11 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.57 W/kg (head) | 1.34 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -86.2dB / Crosstalk -84.9dB | - |
| Camera |
Photo | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 71dB |
Voice 68dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 78dB |
Sony Ericsson C901
- Groundbreaking camera for its time
- Stylish slider design
- Excellent low-light photography with Xenon flash
- Relatively compact
- Outdated performance
- Limited app support
- Screen resolution is low by today's standards
- Can be difficult to find in good condition
Sony Ericsson C902
- Improved autofocus compared to C901
- Slightly refined design
- Good battery life
- Excellent low-light photography with Xenon flash
- Outdated performance
- Limited app support
- Screen resolution is low by today's standards
- Can be difficult to find in good condition
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 2.2-inch QVGA display. While the resolution is similar, the C902 may have slightly improved color reproduction due to minor hardware tweaks. However, the difference is minimal and largely unnoticeable.
Camera Comparison
The C901 was a pioneer with its 5-megapixel camera featuring Xenon flash. The C902 improved upon this with faster autofocus and slightly better image processing. Both phones excel in low-light conditions thanks to the Xenon flash, but the C902 generally produces sharper and more vibrant photos.
Performance
Both devices run on Sony Ericsson's proprietary UI and feature similar processors. Performance is adequate for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing, but don't expect blazing speeds by modern standards. The C902 might exhibit slightly smoother operation due to minor software optimizations.
Battery Life
The C902 typically offered slightly better battery life than the C901, likely due to minor power efficiency improvements. Expect around 8-10 hours of talk time on both devices.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson C901 is ideal for collectors and nostalgia enthusiasts seeking a piece of mobile history. The C902 is a better choice for those wanting a slightly more polished experience and improved camera performance, assuming they can find one in working order.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable in 2024?
Yes, but with limitations. They primarily function as feature phones for calls and texts. 2G networks are dwindling, and app support is non-existent. They are best appreciated as retro devices.
❓ Where can I find these phones?
eBay and other online marketplaces are your best bet. Be prepared to pay a premium for a well-maintained model.
